Environmental Impact Report

April 2024

As part of our B Corp journey, our first Environmental Impact Report was carried out in 2022 at Widgit HQ by Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) experts Risk Evolves.

This audit aims to give both the leadership team and all staff at Widgit visibility of our carbon footprint, how this is broken down, and the steps we can take to reduce it.

What is a carbon footprint?

Put simply, a carbon footprint is a measure of the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions resulting from the activities of an individual or entity. In Widgit’s case, this represents the proportional emissions associated with our organisational operations.

To facilitate calculations, all emissions are converted into CO2 equivalents (CO2e). These gases include:

  • Carbon dioxide (CO2)
  • Nitrogen trifluoride (NF3)
  • Methane (CH4)
  • Nitrous oxide (N2O)
  • Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
  • Perfluorocarbons (PFCs)
  • Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6)

Calculation breakdown

Carbon emissions are typically categorised into the three scopes as follows. Due to this being our first baseline report (and other data limitations), Scope 3 measurements only cover ‘Purchased goods’.

Scope 1 – Direct // Company activities / Commuting

This includes emissions from sources that are owned or controlled by Widgit.

For example: exhaust fumes, air, water or land pollutants, or discharges.

Scope 2 – Direct // Purchased electricity, heating and cooling / Waste generated in operations

This includes emissions generated in the production of electricity, heat, or steam. This also includes water and gas.

For example: impacts generated from the requirement to produce electricity, process gas, or refine and pump water.

Scope 3 – Indirect // Purchased goods and services / Business travel & commuting /  Transport & distribution / Leased assets / Use of solid products / End-of-life treatment of solid products

This includes emissions from sources not owned or directly controlled by Widgit, but that are a consequence of our activities.

For example: purchased goods and services, business travel, employee commuting, waste management, etc.

What are the results?

With Scope 3 emissions effectively excluded due to data constraints, Widgit’s total carbon footprint reflects the combined impact of Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions.

In 2022, Widgit’s total carbon footprint was 180 tonnes of carbon equivalent emissions. In other words, Widgit generated 5.04 of carbon per person.

Forecast

The emission forecast graph below illustrates Widgit’s projected emissions until 2035, with the light purple bar representing the forecast against the baseline (2022). This assumes a 3% annual decrease following a consistent annual reduction aligned with sustainability expectations.

Widgit x OblongTrees

To help offset our impact on the environment, we’re proud to introduce initiatives like ‘Widgit Wilding’, as we pledge to plant 40 trees per staff member both locally and as part of diverse eco-projects around the world – from Peru to Australia!

Working closely alongside not-for-profit OblongTrees, we recently enjoyed two successful planting sessions at Puddleduck café near Southam, planting a total of 270 trees on site.

We will continue to oversee their growth / help maintain the plot, while receiving updates from our tree-planting partners across the globe as we work together to build a more sustainable future.