I have been persevering with efforts towards an accurate baseline for Scopes 1 and 2, and regretfully it’s still proving tough to be robust in some of our data.

On the upside, a colleague has provided a calculation tool used for BREEAM (POL 1) to replace the (very inaccurate) UK Government guidance methodology I had located; so that will likely remain our preferred approach.

Less positive is the assessment of utilities across our leased buildings. Often the building owner simply doesn’t have the data we want, due to the inability to isolate usage in one building or unit on a larger site, especially for communal areas.

I am concerned estimates are woefully inaccurate and the time taken over calculations based on multiplying up several guesses really isn’t worthwhile: dividing an unknown quantity into speculated percentages based on fluctuating staff attendance seems futile. This feels disappointing, although related CO₂ emissions are likely to be minor against our overall total. Do we ‘guesstimate’ and declare our misgivings – or exclude it altogether and declare that?

I am also aware that recommendations from various carbon neutral forums and experts suggests that any trading year during COVID gives a poor reflection of a company’s true base position, so we may need to accept that the baseline period requires a rethink to improve accuracy and reflect business practice in ‘normal’ times. Is 2021-22 actually reflective for us? One for further debate.

So, I don’t end on a low, just a quick mention of Economist Impact 2nd Sustainability week: Countdown to COP27 (running this week). So, a good time consider sustainability matters and squeeze in the odd event if you haven’t already!