We have a key role in protecting the world through both the provision of our sustainable infrastructure products and services and through how we minimise our environmental impact as we deliver those products and services.
UN SDGs
Greenhouse Gas Emissions And Energy Efficiency
Why does it matter?
We recognise that greenhouse gases are a major contributor to the climate crisis and are committed to managing and reducing the Group’s emissions to support the Paris Agreement goals.
How will we measure progress?
We have invested in a sustainability software solution to record our greenhouse gas emissions. This provides greater visibility of our emissions and allows us to measure performance against our targets at both a Group and individual operating company level.
| Target | 2023 Actual | 2022 Actual | 2025 Target | 2030 Target |
| Intensity Ratio (market-based) (tCO2e per £000’s revenue) | 0.06 | 0.07 | 0.08 | 0.06 |
Hill & Smith PLC is proud that its near and long-term science-based emissions reduction targets have been approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The SBTi has also verified our net-zero science-based target by 2050.
Our approved targets are as follows:
Overall Net-Zero Target
Hill & Smith PLC commits to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across the value chain by 2050.
Near-Term Targets
By 2032, Hill & Smith PLC commits to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 55% from a 2020 base year. Hill & Smith PLC also commits to reduce scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions by 60% per GBP value added by 2032 from a 2022 base year.
Long-Term Targets
Hill & Smith PLC commits to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2040 from a 2020 base year and maintain 90% absolute reduction through 2050 from 2040. Hill & Smith PLC also commits to reduce scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions by 97% per GBP value added by 2050 from a 2022 base year.
For scope 1 and 2, a market-based and absolute contraction approach was chosen. For scope 3, an economic intensity approach was selected due to the changing nature of our portfolio through organic developments and value enhancing acquisitions.
In addition to our approved science-based targets, we also have an internal target to achieve net-zero for scope 1 and 2 by 2040 and we are measuring our near term progress through reduction in our carbon intensity ratio (defined as tCO2e per £million revenue). We are pleased to report that we have seen an improvement in our carbon intensity ratio in 2023 with details set out above.
Sustainable Products
Why does it matter?
Delivering solutions that improve the sustainability of our customers’ operations is central to our company purpose and strategy. We believe that our products and services can play an important role in addressing the challenges associated with increasing population and urbanisation, climate change and decarbonisation.
How will we measure progress?
From 2024, we will report on the total number of products that have a verified EPD and aim to increase this number on an annual basis. We will continue to disclose work done to assess the sustainability of our products and the development of a framework to enable us to do so in line with published standards and guidance.