Green Element’s Sustainability Strategy and Impact Assessment
Sustainability is a pressing concern for organisations, with many striving to understand their environmental impact and improve their environmental performance. One organisation who has accelerated its sustainability journey is Bloc Blinds, an award-winning UK-based online retailer of made-to-measure blinds. Bloc Blinds partnered with Green Element Environmental Consultancy to undergo the unique Sustainability Strategy and Impact Assessment, a bespoke service in which organisation’s data, processes, and circumstances are evaluated to produce recommendations and suggested next steps for your sustainability journey.
What did Bloc Blinds want to achieve by partnering with Green Element?
Before teaming up with Green Element, Bloc Blinds has already initiated sustainability measures. They had implemented an Environmental Management System, and various green initiatives. However, they understood the importance of gaining a comprehensive understanding of their environmental impact and identifying areas for improvement. Bloc Blinds partnered with Green Element to:
• Identify the best opportunities for improved environmental performance.
• Plan the next steps in their sustainability journey.
• Engage employees in their sustainability strategy.
How did Green Element help?
The Green Element team began by preparing a carbon footprint for Bloc Blinds, reporting on emissions from Scopes 1 and 2, together with some Scope 3 categories, using the Compare Your Footprint™ service. From this, the Green Element team were able to identify carbon hotspots and areas that should be targeted for emissions reductions.
The Green Element team then conducted document and process reviews, as well as surveys and engagement activities with the employees of Bloc Blinds to further understand the business, identifying opportunities to improve environmental performance and introduce sustainable initiatives.
Once all information was collated and reviewed, the Green Element team presented tailored solutions and recommendations to the Bloc Blinds team, clearly identifying the appropriate next steps for their sustainability journey. The Bloc Blinds team were given a comprehensive report from Green Element, outlining the findings, outcomes, and recommendations from the Sustainability Strategy and Impact Assessment process. The process and benefits of setting science-based targets were also explained to the team.
What did Bloc Blinds do next?
The Sustainability Strategy and Impact Assessment process left the Bloc Blinds team feeling enthusiastic and confident in how to improve their environmental performance. The Green Element team conducted a 6-month follow-up session with the Bloc Blinds team; the team reported significant progress and plans in various areas, guided by Green Element’s recommendations:
🤝 Supply Chain Sustainability: Bloc Blinds established selection criteria to ensure sustainable practices amongst suppliers, emphasising their commitment to responsible sourcing and ethical considerations.
📦 Plastic-Free Packaging: Concrete steps were taken to eliminate plastic from their product packaging.
♻️ Enhanced waste management: Improvements were implemented in waste management processes, including further segmentation of waste streams to promote effective recycling practices.
💡 Onsite renewable energy: Bloc Blinds explored onsite renewable energy production, demonstrating their commitment to clean energy.
🚛 Electrification of transport: To slash carbon emissions, Bloc Blinds initiated plans for the phased electrification of their transport fleet.
“Thank you to the Green Element team for the work and effort over the last few weeks. The presentations and reports have been excellent. It has been well received and has gotten good buzz and motivation going.”
Vinny Kennedy, Quality Assurance Manager at Bloc Blinds
You can read the full Green Element case study here: Sustainability Strategy and Impact Assessment | Case Study (greenelement.co.uk)
You can also view a webinar hosted by Senior Manager at Green Element, Naomi Cohen, Understand Your Organisation’s Environmental Impact and Develop a Sustainability Strategy, on how to implement the Sustainability Strategy & Impact Assessment within your organisation here
Do you think your organisation could benefit from implementing a Sustainability Strategy and Impact Assessment? Get in touch with the Green Element team today to find out more: marketingge@greenelement.co.uk
About Green Element’s Sustainability Strategy & Impact Service
The Sustainability Strategy and Impact Assessment is a bespoke service in which your organisation’s data, processes, and circumstances are evaluated to produce recommendations and suggested next steps for your sustainability journey. The main part of the service takes place over the course of one day, where the Green Element team interacts with your employees to gain a deeper understanding of the organisation’s approach to sustainability and identify opportunities for improvement. It is an opportunity to engage all staff in this important project by seeking their input and collaboration.
What are the benefits?
• Evaluate and understand your organisation’s environmental impact.
• Review and develop your sustainability strategy.
• Identify opportunities for improvement.
• Engage employees.
• Determine the next steps on your journey to improved environmental performance.