RSE is proud to be Operationally Carbon Neutral for the 2023/24 Financial Year

At RSE, we are committed to achieving our Net Zero targets primarily through carbon reduction techniques. Our Net Zero roadmap outlines our strategy for reducing carbon emissions across Scope 1, Scope 2, and select Scope 3 emissions.

In the 2023/24 FY, RSE achieved a 10% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions per £M, thanks to the implementation of various sustainability initiatives across the business. These initiatives include our investment in solar energy – now accounting for 14% of our electricity usage – and the introduction of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) on our sites, significantly reducing our Scope 1 emissions.

We recognise the impact our operations have on the environment and the role our collective carbon emissions play in contributing towards climate change. While we are making substantial progress in reducing our Scope 1 and 2 emissions to combat this and offset carbon, a portion of our current emissions remains unavoidable and will continue to affect the atmosphere until we reach Net Zero.

To address this, RSE is proud to partner with Carbon Neutral Britain to offset our remaining operational emissions (scope 1 and 2), helping to prevent further irreversible damage to our climate.

All projects are verified against the following standards:

• Verra – Verified Carbon Standard
• Gold Standard – Voluntary Emissions Reductions
• UN – Certified Emission Reduction Programme

Through Carbon Neutral Britain, RSE is supporting the Woodland Fund which facilitates 10% of its projects in the UK. As part of this initiative, RSE has benefitted a variety of environmental-based projects that target specific UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

Sea Kelp Recovery and Management

An ambitious collective of conservation and government organisations, scientists and communities are together undertaking pioneering research to monitor the return of kelp and the benefits it provides for people, nature and the climate. Although not an independently verified carbon offsetting project, this initiative supports local climate action with kelp’s ability to absorb vast amounts of carbon.

Blue Carbon Mangrove Project

This project is the world’s first verified blue carbon initiative, covering more than 350,000 hectares in the Indus River Delta region of Sindh, southeastern Pakistan. It is projected to remove approximately 142 million tonnes of CO2e from the atmosphere and will also provide a sanctuary for 11 globally threatened marine and bird species.

Improved Biodiversity and Mixed Reforestation

A reforestation project in Costa Rica combines carbon sequestration with a range of ecological and socio-economic benefits for local communities. An area of 2,115 hectares of former pastureland, once used for extensive cattle ranching, has been successfully reforested with over one million trees from 17 different species. As a result, 70 new species of amphibians and reptiles have returned to the area.

By supporting these projects, we not only contribute to helping to remove harmful CO2 emissions from the atmosphere, but also champion the broader SDGs. The SDGs create employment opportunities, promote education and skills development, and stimulate local economies in both developing and developed countries.

Carbon removal through offsetting is not the only solution, however. RSE remains committed to prioritising carbon reduction throughout our operations to lower our absolute emissions by investing in renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, and managing a sustainable supply chain.

Stephen Webb, RSE Sustainability Manager, comments:

RSE recognises the urgency of the climate emergency and understands the importance of reducing our carbon emissions. We are proud to have offset our 2023/24 financial year Scope 1 and 2 emissions with Carbon Neutral Britain, while continuing to work on further reducing RSE’s carbon footprint in line with our Net Zero targets.