• Innovative free programme helps SME suppliers achieve gold standard climate pledge
• Participants include architects, building surveyors and contractors, security, recruitment construction and maintenance firms

38 SME suppliers start a path to a Science Based Target this week by participating in Grosvenor Property UK’s pioneering Net Zero Mentoring Programme.

Building on the business’ experience of gaining a validated Science Based Target in 2021, Grosvenor has partnered with Heart of The City to create a free programme to help SME suppliers, with less than 500 employees, map and reduce their own carbon footprint.

Over eight months, companies including Elliott Wood, TFT, Barr Gazetas and Collins Construction will gain support across workshops, clinic sessions and 1:1 mentoring in calculating their baseline, setting an action plan and achieving a validated Science Based Target.

These 38 SMEs represent 31% of Grosvenor’s annual third party spend in 2021 across a range of industries including construction and demolition, architecture, engineering, maintenance and building services and marketing.

Grosvenor’s UK property business has some of the most stretching environmental sustainability targets in its sector. Think Zero, its net zero pathway, commits it to reducing emissions across all scopes by at least 52% by 2030. With supply chain emissions accounting for almost 50% of the business’ carbon footprint between 2019 and 2030, working with partners committed to net zero will be a critical success factor.

By 2030, the business expects 40% of its supply chain by emissions to have a Science Based Target and, from 2023, does not intend to award contracts over £1 million to partners without a Science Based Target.

However, success is not achieved by placing excessive demands on suppliers’ businesses, and Grosvenor takes a partnership approach. The launch of the first of its kind programme is one step it is taking in supporting its varied supply chain in taking climate action.

Victoria Herring, Sustainability Programme Director, Grosvenor, commented “A Science Based Target is the gold standard for judging climate pledges. Our SME partners are incredibly supportive of our environmental ambitions, but resource is often a barrier to their own progress. This first of its kind scheme will help us all accelerate our ability to take effective climate action and support greener, healthier places and lives. 

“The response to the programme has been so significant that we have split participants in to two groups. Combined with the commitments of our largest suppliers, the success of this collaborative effort will have a meaningful impact on our scope 3 emissions and drive change across the built environment value chain.” 

Maggie Berry OBE, Director, Heart of the City, said “Starting a net zero journey can be complicated, even more so for SMEs that are doing it alongside the day job.  That’s why we’re delighted to be working in partnership with Grosvenor on this pioneering supplier mentoring programme. These SMEs in Grosvenor’s supply chain are proactively engaging in reaching net zero and we hope they will inspire others to follow in their footsteps.”

Mat Lown, Partner and Head of Sustainability, TFT, said: “Our industry is a tipping point where our value to stakeholders – those who use, neighbour and otherwise rely on the buildings we create – is determined by how well we share our knowledge and empower one another to improve. 

“Sustainability isn’t a remit for just one team or practice, and as specialists in the field we will mentor others to apply sustainable principles to their areas of expertise. Likewise, we are keen to broaden our view with the skills of our industry peers. Kudos to Grosvenor to taking the initiative to bring their suppliers together and for being a catalyst for us all to widen our sphere of influence and tackle mutual challenges as one.”

Gerry Taylor, Partner, Taylor Project Services, added: “TPS fully supports the initiative to increase the climate targets and intensify corresponding efforts to reduce emissions. 

“We are convinced that we have to act ambitiously and contribute to appropriate technical solutions ourselves, as well as giving advice to our clients, and therefore to partner Grosvenor in trying to achieve Science-Based Targets by 2025 gives us a clear business objective.”

SME’s participating in Grosvenor’s programme include*:

*NB: This list includes names of suppliers who have given permission to be named. Some of Grosvenor’s SME suppliers are already preparing to achieve a Science Based Target.