Following fast in the footsteps of our Nature Positive plan’s first annual review, here is the first annual review of Anne Veck Limited’s Carbon emissions reduction plan. Without the salons, our emissions are very small, hence Much ado about nothing. Perhaps more important, is that by sharing our plans we hope to convince others to take climate and biodiversity issues seriously and that writing these plans is straightforward, interesting and important.
ANNE VECK LIMITED AND THE RACE TO ZERO
CARBON EMISSIONS REDUCTION PLAN 2023-2030
Annual review 5/7/24. Targets for 2024/25 onwards need to be added.
For 2024/25 to 2030 this plan will be combined with the Anne Veck Nature Positive Plan to create an overarching sustainability plan recognizing the climate and biodiversity emergencies are one and the same. To be completed and published as a blog by 30/9/24.
Introduction
Up to March 2022 Anne Veck Limited (AVL) operated a hair salon in Oxford with annual Scopes 1,2&3 (business travel emissions) totalling just under 8 tonnes (reduced from 14 tonnes in 2012, certified by Carbon Footprint Ltd).
Since the salon was sold in March 2022, the business has reduced its activities considerably, to those carried out by the 2 remaining employees (directors).
Previously, only Scopes 1,2&3 (business travel emissions) had been measured and actioned. This updated plan now includes action for other Scope 3 emissions (value chain).
AVL has signed up to the U.N.’s S.M.E. RACE TO ZERO which sets businesses a target of net zero CO2 emissions by 2030. By offsetting, Anne Veck Limited achieved this between 2019 and 2022 for Scopes 1,2&3 (business travel emissions).
CO2 emissions will be calculated in house using the free Business Carbon Calculator provided by Carbon Footprint Ltd. or by independent body if possible (Net Zero Now, Carbon Footprint Ltd , BSI) starting again for 2023/24. By free calculator, Other options too expensive
The plan structure:
1. Measure emissions and set baseline
2. Set reduction targets
3. Take action to meet targets, record progress
4. Compensate for residual emissions
5. Communicate activity to encourage others to do same
1. Measure emissions and set baseline.
AVL has attempted to measure its current Scopes 1,2&3 (business travel) carbon emissions, using worst cases (i.e. maximums) estimated from 2020/21 emissions.
AVL attempting to measure other Scope 3 but this is reliant on data from suppliers.
Anne Veck Limited operates from Kelly’s Hair Oxford (KHO) and 77 Barton Road, Headington, Oxford (77BR).
KHO
Energy consumption by Anne Veck (AV) whilst hairdressing at KHO, generates CO2 emissions estimated at 1.6 tonnes p.a. Ecooffset.org advise that average F/T (5 days) hairdresser’s emissions are 2 tonnes. Inc. scope 1,2&3 travel, energy, suppliers, equipment. So 1.6 for Anne is definitely a worst case.
(10% of estimated total salon emissions of 15 tonnes, based on worst case of 2 X 2019/20 emissions of c.8 tonnes when ceramic fuel cell was operating and as a result emissions were low).
77BR
According to a 2022 EPC the property produces 3.6 tonnes CO2. So worst case 10% for AVL activity gives emissions of 0.36 tonnes.
AVL both sites and other
Travel by foot, bicycle, public transport whenever possible. Several long distance and short haul air flights each year. Business travel emissions @ around 2.3 tonnes, of which 1.7 is air travel.
Value chain (Scope 3)
Products and services from suppliers, from our products and services when used by customers. Not yet measured.
It has not yet been possible to persuade our major supplier to provide us with this data. However, research by L’Oreal and Net Zero Now strongly suggests it should be available.
BASELINE TOTAL CARBON EMISSIONS P/A
Hairdressing at KHO 1.6 tonnes
Hairdressing and other at 77 BR 0.36 tonnes
Business travel 2.3 tonnes
Value chain not known
Total 4.26 tonnes (Scopes 1, 2 & Scope 3 business travel only)
2, 3.Targets, action and progress
Scopes 1,2 & 3
Target Action
Reduce CO2 emissions by Anne Veck (AV)
KHO from estimated 1.6 tonnes to 1 tonne by 31/4/24 Anne to review personal practice (eg turn
77BR from estimated 0.36 tonnes to 0.3 tonnes by 31/4/24 equipment off, switch off lights, reduce hot
water)and identify further actions. Record
energy usage at both sites for conversion to
CO2 emissions.
. Progress
KHO CO2 emissions 0.71 tonnes
77 BR CO2 emissions 0.4 tonnes = increase
Reduce business travel CO2 emissions from 2.3 tonnes
( 2020/21) to 1.5 tonnes 2023/24 . No UK air travel. Avoided Europe air travel
where rail alternative e.g. Eurostar.
Reduced long haul air travel.
Reduce long haul air travel to 2 trips/year maximum economy
class (in total both directors) by 31/4/24.
Continue to use public transport and bicycle
whenever possible.
Progress
Business travel CO2 emissions 2.05 = increase
No long haul flights 2023/24
Reduce value chain CO2 emissions, including products List of suppliers & partners completed and
and services from suppliers and from our products and researched and/or checked websites for
services when used by customers. information and accreditations.
Researched Net Zero Now service for
calculating Scope 3. Only works for salons
so not suitable for our use. Researched BSI
& Carbon Footprint Ltd. Both offered
bespoke service, too expensive.
Help salon clients to reduce personal / household CO2 by 10%. Ongoing, in salon conversations by Anne
Progress.
No data received form suppliers to date so baseline and progress not yet measured. Some decisions made to change supplier following examination of their accreditations (or lack of) and/or rating by Ethical Consumer. No method of measuring clients’ downstream carbon emissions has been put in place.
REDUCE TOTAL CARBON EMISSIONS scopes1,2 & 3
(business travel) from 4.26 TO 2.8 tonnes by 31/4/24
Progress
Total carbon emissions reduced to 3.16 tonnes
4. Compensate for residual emissions
Buy nature based solutions CO2 credits to compensate for slightly more
than annual emissions from fully accredited, genuine brokers. Research and choice
By 31 August 2024 and 30 June following years. pending.
Progress
Not yet done
5. Communicate activity to encourage others to do same
Join at least 5 industry initiatives committed to CO2 emissions U.N.S.M.E. Race to Zero / UKBBF / Nature
Positive Business Pledge/ Sustainable Beauty
Coalition waste task force/ Business for
Nature nature strategy campaign.
Inform all salon clients Ongoing, in salon conversations by Anne
Promote sustainability and carbon emissions best practice SRS v 3 published December 23; Freelance
using social media, website, workshops, industry networking. version July 24. Developing new ways of
sharing the toolkit eg industry
influencers. Presentations at industry events
Hair Con x2 June, Colour World May
Salon RE:Source
2,000 downloads ; 600 sign ups to list
Progress
Each achieved except toolkit downloads @c.1,700 and mailchimp sign ups @550.