Carbon Reduction Plan

Carbon Reduction Plan 2024

BEcome Net Zero — PPN 06/21

Executive Summary

Commitment to achieving Net Zero

Candlelight Care is committed to achieving Net Zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. This Carbon Reduction Plan sets out our emissions baseline, key sources of carbon impact, and the strategic actions we will undertake to reduce emissions in line with the UK Government’s Procurement Policy Note (PPN) 06/21.

Baseline Emissions Footprint

Baseline emissions are a record of the greenhouse gases produced in the past, prior to the introduction of any reduction strategies. They are the reference point against which future emissions reduction is measured.

Baseline Year: October 2023 – September 2024

Emissions Reduction Targets

Candlelight Care is committed to achieving Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Our emissions reduction strategy is designed to ensure continuous progress toward this goal, with periodic reviews and adaptive planning based on operational needs and technological developments.

Completed Carbon Reduction Initiatives

• Made targeted changes to Personal Protective Equipment. Centralising storage strategically in the middle of our sites and aligning deliveries with other related meetings on site to reduce mileage.
• Began supporting local biodiversity by planting trees, improving air quality in the local area.

Future Measures

• Fleet Decarbonisation: Transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs) where feasible to cut Scope 1 emissions, via a phased electrification plan and investment in charging infrastructure.
• Energy Efficiency: Full energy audits to review opportunities such as LED or HVAC improvements.
• Cultural Shift: Carbon literacy training for all senior staff to drive awareness, innovation, and engagement in emission reduction efforts.

Carbon Intensity (Baseline, Market Based)

• 28.72 tCO₂e per £million turnover
• 0.82 tCO₂e per employee

Emissions Breakdown

• Scope 1 Emissions: 102.2 tCO₂e, primarily from fleet miles.
• Scope 2 Emissions: 4.78 tCO₂e from purchased electricity.
• Scope 3 Emissions: 27.96 tCO₂e, primarily from PPE, homeworking and employee commuting.

Key Findings

Scope 1 emissions account for over 75% of the footprint, driven by essential travel to deliver homecare. The current UK charging infrastructure does not yet support a business of this scale, which requires local care but high-volume travel for each member of staff. Exploring alternative vehicles such as hybrids and efficiency improvements in logistics will be essential to reducing Scope 1 emissions.

Energy Efficiency Measures

• Energy audits are currently being planned for rollout throughout 2025 across all sites to identify energy saving opportunities.
• Solar energy feasibility assessments are underway to reduce reliance on grid electricity.

Challenges and Recommendations

• Fleet Decarbonisation: As a homecare provider, mobility is essential, making it challenging to reduce emissions without compromising service. Alternative solutions such as lower-engine vehicles, route optimisation, and operational efficiencies must be explored — this is challenging as most staff use their own vehicles.
• Energy Efficiency: Energy audits are being planned for rollout throughout 2025 on all sites.
• Cultural Shift: Embedding carbon literacy training across the senior leadership team to engage staff in sustainability efforts and drive innovation.
• Begin trialling biodegradable PPE for carbon reduction.

Carbon Footprint

Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory by Activity

October 2023 – September 2024

Intensity Metric

Company revenue reported in fiscal year ending 2024: £4,698,277

28.72 tCO₂e per million £

Performance Tracking

The GHG Inventory Comparison tracks tCO₂e per £million turnover against gross carbon footprint (tCO₂e) for 2024 (baseline) through 2028.

Pathways to Net Zero

Candlelight Care understands that achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050 will require sustained action, grounded in realistic, sector-specific strategies. As a care provider with a geographically dispersed workforce and essential service demands, our approach must be practical, adaptable, and focused on long-term resilience.

This pathway sets out key focus areas and milestones, ensuring that we steadily reduce emissions while maintaining high-quality care and operational efficiency.

Short-Term Priorities (Next 5-10 years)

• Switch to 100% renewable electricity across all sites to reduce Scope 2 emissions.
• Initiate phased fleet transition by trialling low- and zero-emission vehicles.
• Improve energy efficiency through audits and LED lighting upgrades.
• Expand Scope 3 data collection, specifically around commuting, procurement, and PPE use.

Long-Term Vision (2030-2050)

• Invest in EV infrastructure across key locations to support fleet decarbonisation.
• Further reduce Scope 3 emissions through supplier engagement and sustainable purchasing policies.
• Incorporate engineered carbon removals into a responsible offsetting strategy.

Staff Engagement & Culture

• Deliver carbon literacy training to raise awareness and drive behaviour change.
• Promote sustainable practices across teams, embedding environmental goals into everyday operations.

Candlelight Care’s Net Zero strategy is about more than regulatory compliance — it reflects our commitment to delivering high-quality care in a responsible, future-ready way.

Conclusion

The findings of this inaugural Carbon Reduction Plan highlight Candlelight Care’s commitment to sustainability and the specific challenges associated with delivering high-quality care while reducing environmental impact. By establishing a robust emissions baseline and identifying priority areas for action, Candlelight Care is taking essential steps to manage its carbon footprint in a practical and responsible manner.

Key Findings

• Fleet fuel consumption is the primary source of emissions (Scope 1), emphasising the need for long-term investment in low-emission transport solutions.
• The carbon intensity of 28.72 tCO₂e per £1 million turnover and 0.82 tCO₂e per employee provides useful benchmarks to monitor future performance and efficiency.
• Scope 2 emissions are actively being targeted through planned renewable energy procurement.
• Scope 3 emissions, including commuting, PPE procurement, and waste, are being addressed through expanded reporting and behavioural change initiatives.

Challenges & Next Steps

Candlelight Care operates in a sector that requires frequent travel and operates from a dispersed network of locations, which can make fleet electrification and infrastructure upgrades more complex. However, the organisation remains committed to reducing its environmental impact through:

• Ongoing investment in energy efficiency, starting with energy audits and renewable electricity.
• Progressively transitioning the fleet as infrastructure and technology improve.
• Engaging with suppliers to reduce upstream emissions and identify sustainable alternatives.

Emissions Reduction Pathway

To achieve Net Zero by 2050, Candlelight Care has committed to a structured decarbonisation pathway, including an annual fixed reduction of 5.19 tCO₂e. This approach is designed to be realistic and consistent with the organisation’s operational requirements, enabling measurable progress over time. A fixed reduction is difficult to achieve, however it gives the organisation a target year on year.

Recommendations & Best Practice

• Optimise travel planning and route efficiency to reduce fuel use.
• Expand the quality and scope of Scope 3 reporting to strengthen accountability.
• Enhance procurement practices to prioritise lower-carbon suppliers and materials.
• Support employee engagement through carbon literacy training and sustainability awareness campaigns.

By implementing these measures and reviewing progress annually, Candlelight Care is taking meaningful action to reduce its environmental impact. This plan lays the foundation for continuous improvement and reflects the organisation’s commitment to long-term sustainability and responsible care delivery.

Declaration

Declaration and Sign Off

This Carbon Reduction Plan has been completed in accordance with PPN 06/21 and the associated guidance and reporting standard. It has been reviewed and signed off by the leadership team.

This Carbon Reduction Plan has been reviewed and signed off by the Director of Candlelight Care Ltd.

Signed on behalf of Candlelight Care Ltd:
Position: Managing Director
Organisation: Candlelight Care
Date: 30.05.2025

Key Facts

• Organisation: Candlelight Care
• Head Office: Candlelight House, King Street, Glastonbury, BA6 9JY, United Kingdom
• Baseline Year: October 2023 – September 2024
• Reporting Year: October 2023 – September 2024
• Intensity Metric: CO2e per £million/turnover
• Approach: Operational Control
• Operational Scope: Fleet (Scope 1) Natural Gas, UK Electricity Consumption (Scope 2), Transmission & Distribution (T&D) Losses (Scope 3), Water, Waste, Purchased Goods, Employee Commuting, Homeworking
• Boundary: All entities and facilities either owned or under operational control in the UK
• Carbon Reduction Target: TBC
• Customer Contact: James Catley Day
• Customer Email: [email protected]

The data for this GHG Inventory was provided by Director James Catley Day. The data was captured using activity data from energy bills, purchase ledgers, finance logs, and accounts.