Key Group – the leading later life servicing group based in Fulwood, Preston – has marked the launch of its Sustainability Strategy by announcing it is funding the planting of enough trees in the UK to offset all of its historic direct carbon emissions.
The strategy sets out Key Group’s approach to four vital areas:
- Responsible Business Practices
- People and Culture
- Safeguarding the Environment
- Supporting our communities
With over 700 colleagues, the Group is committed to playing an active role in supporting positive change in these areas. Whether it is the diversity and inclusion focus groups or the charity day which each colleague is encouraged to take to support a cause of their choice, Key Group is making changes to its business to support the delivery of its sustainability ambitions.
With the help of energy consultancy firm Inspired PLC, Key Group has been a carbon neutral organisation since 2020 having annually purchased offsets to cover the operational (Scope 1 and 2) emissions it produces. Being carbon neutral is part of Key Group’s strategy to minimise its environmental impact as it works towards the ultimate aim of achieving net-zero. Key Group is working closely with Inspired PLC to develop a robust strategy to reach net-zero.
As a fast-growing business, Key Group’s priority will continue to be on minimising current and future emissions using smart working practices and renewable energy. The group has recently launched an electrical vehicle car scheme to colleagues and the first EV chargers are currently being installed at its Preston head office campus.
To compensate for its historic environmental impact, Key Group has funded, through verified offsetting schemes, enough trees to sequester the equivalent amount of carbon emissions produced by the business since its launch.
Simon Thompson, Group CEO at Key Group said:
“As a responsible employer and organisation operating in the UK, we are committed to supporting positive change when it comes to the environment, society and the communities we operate in. The offsetting of our carbon emissions is just one example of a host of different measures we have in place.
“Whether it is colleagues taking the time to engage with a charity of their choice or increasing the diversity of our teams or helping more people to support local communities, we know each of these are vitally important and we are delighted to be in a position to outline our approach.”
Kristina Beadle, Head of Carbon Services at Inspired PLC said:
“Sustainability and net-zero are undoubtably buzzwords at the moment, and we are seeing colleagues, customers and partners care more and more about a company’s approach to the environment and the communities they operate in. It is therefore great to work with a company like Key Group who are taking responsibility not only for their current and future environmental footprint, but also doing what they can to compensate for their historic impact.”
