NEWS | Round-up
Our climate change champion Richard Hagan, managing director of Crystal Doors, talks about how independent retailers can beat big businesses to reaching zero emissions
How independent retailers can leapfrog large businesses to
ZERO-CARBON
IN PREPARATION for COP26, the UN climate summit this November, our government has announced to the world that the UK is ‘on target’ and committed to net zero emissions by 2050. Sadly, this is just a load of hot air. The only notable major investment to this pledge the government has actually made so far is to invest in wind farms to claim a few of the many targets required. People are beginning to catch on. For large
organisations such as governments and global brands, the fear of having to evidence their actions will be costly and very damaging if they don’t begin turning things around this year. The risk is financial as well as reputational – pension companies, for example, sold huge proportions of their shares in fossil fuels and associated businesses last year. However, in this race to net zero our economic landscape is changing rapidly, which for small businesses is actually good news. In comparison to large organisations, small companies have many easy wins possible, which when actioned make a valued reduction to their emissions. In 2015 my company’s emissions were high, so I began reducing them with simple changes like LED lighting and small equipment upgrades. Back then I set a target of net zero by 2030, but the easy wins were so beneficial that I soon brought it forwards to 2025, and then last year to 2022.
Small companies have many easy wins possible, which when actioned make a valued reduction
For myself, being the chief sustainable officer at
Crystal Doors, I take interest in all affairs relating to sustainability. In this role, it is my responsibility to choose processes that are right for my company. Rather than our government’s greenwash approach of kicking things into the long grass to 2050, there is an opportunity for small business owners to show our commitment to becoming net zero much sooner, by 2030. For obvious reasons, the smaller the business, the easier it is to change the mindset of everyone involved. Even as somewhat of a trailblazer in this field, I am still amazed at how many individuals in small businesses are now talking about sustainable plans. For myself, it wasn’t about ticking boxes or winning
awards. I just began thinking about the choices I had when making purchases, balancing the price of an item with its impact on people and planet. If I were planning to renovate my house, I would choose a local company that is not only aware of the issues surrounding sustainability, but one that actively makes this world better for everyone. At the end of the day, that’s what sustainability is about – caring for others. For free advice on how to become zero carbon go to:
www.zerocarbonbusiness.uk
10
UKE first kitchen company to receive B Corp certification
USED KITCHEN Exchange (UKE) is the first kitchen company to be awarded B Corporation certification for its environmental practices.
The ex-display and used kitchen reseller joins just 500 companies in the UK, and 3,800 worldwide, in gaining Corp B certification. In the UK, these include The Guardian, Innocent, Patagonia, The Body Shop and Abel & Cole. B Corp certification requires companies to reach a benchmark score of more than 80 and provide evidence of socially and environmentally responsible practices in energy supplies, waste and water use, worker compensation, diversity and corporate transparency.
Certified companies must also embed their commitment to these environmental purposes in their articles of incorporation.
UKE founder Helen Lord, pictured with co-director Phil Lord, said: “Being awarded B Corp certification is without a doubt UKE’s most meaningful business achievement to date and further justifies our place as the sustainability partner of choice to the KBB sector. Balancing profit and planet has always been at the very heart of what we do, and to have received global recognition for this is incredible. “Not only do we take responsibility for our impact on the world around us, our vision from the outset has been to support and promote
sustainability within our industry. With over 11 million kilogrammes of carbon saved so far and new initiatives in the pipeline, we cannot wait to see what can be achieved moving forward.” Speaking on behalf of B Lab UK, the not-for- profit organisation behind the B Corp movement, executive director Chris Turner said: “We are delighted to welcome UKE, the first ever kitchen company to the B Corp community. This is an exciting moment because they have an opportunity to lead the way within their industry.”
Hoover nearly triples its share of built-in appliances market
IN ONLY 15 months, appliance manufacturer Hoover has almost tripled its built-in market share in the UK. According to Amdea data in April 2021, Hoover went from a 3.9% market share of the built-in appliances category in January 2020 to 11.3%. The built-in portfolio includes more than 500 models, from ovens, hobs, washing machine wine coolers and laundry. The product categories of cooking, cooling, dishwashing and laundry have all seen growth in the past 12 months. Nick Platt, business director, built-in appliances, at Hoover, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have hit double-digit market share in such a short time and within a highly-competitive sector. We have worked strategically to build our retailer relationships with a focus on independents, mass merchants and a newly-formed contracts channel, all of which have contributed to our success. “In the past, the business was driven by integrated laundry sales and, while we have grown our shares in this category with one-in-three built-in washing machines sold in the UK being manufactured by the group, we’ve also achieved record shares in built-in dishwashers, cooling and cooking– something we are immensely proud of.”
Hoover said it has invested heavily in product development, especially for the latest connected technology. Plus, marketing support with Hoover brand ambassador, chef Simon Rimmer.
· July 2021
Climate
Champion Change
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