At Calabash we have been hard at work over the last 12 months implementing a strategy to manage our impacts on people and planet. We are proud of our progress and have now launched our Sustainability Report 2024. The document sets out our vision, showcases our achievements and shares our Action Plan for 2025 and beyond.
We have always believed that running a business means more than serving the bottom line. We want to secure long term success through environmental and social impact. Our work with our trusted sustainability partner Wylde Connections is helping embed Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into everything we do. That means scrutinising our value chain to understand our impacts and driving initiatives that go beyond compliance to be net positive.
As one of London’s leading facilities management companies, we recognise that our sector has a significant environmental footprint. From energy consumption to chemical usage, the sector needs to address key impacts if it is to play its part in driving decarbonisation and addressing biodiversity loss. Our strategy focuses on finding a new path that enables us to mitigate negative impacts and support our clients in making more responsible choices.
Wylde has helped us develop a robust Action Plan to guide our interventions. This is informed by a Materiality Assessment which helped identify the most critical sustainability issues for our business and our stakeholders. From climate change and biodiversity loss to reducing chemical pollution and improving energy efficiency, our actions are designed to not only reduce negative impacts but embed regenerative practice.
Getting to grips with data has been key to driving responsible business practice. As part of our sustainability journey, we invested significant time into working with Wylde to establish our baseline greenhouse gas emissions. This exercise gave us the insight we need to implement an ambitious carbon reduction plan. We were one of the first in our sector to calculate emissions across all three scopes as defined by the Greenhouse Gas Protocol to ensure we account for the impact of our entire value chain.
While our emissions increased this year due to better data collection, this has given us a clearer picture of where we can make improvements. Our Sustainability Report explores how we are already implementing changes to reduce our carbon footprint, including introducing energy-efficient equipment. From using low impact high performance cleaning products to supporting nature charities, the document also highlights the measure we are taking to extend our remit beyond decarbonisation.
For us, sustainability is about more than just protecting the environment—it is also about creating positive social change. All Calabash staff are on permanent contracts, and we are proud to be a Living Wage Employer. More than 90% of our clients have joined us in paying a wage that helps meet the true cost of living. This commitment ensures our staff are valued and fairly rewarded for the exceptional work they do. Taking that approach not only improves our sustainability credentials but it has helped us attract and retain the best talent in a sector struggling to address the skills gap.
Our Sustainability Strategy demonstrates our commitment to positive social impact and how we have gained competitive advantage through investment in a skilled and diverse workforce that encompasses more than 20 nationalities. We have worked hard to develop a culture in which everyone can thrive, develop their skillsets and deliver the best quality customer service.
Our latest Sustainability Report contains a Road Map that sets out our priorities as we continue to embed best practice. In the coming months we hope to achieve B Corp certification, a globally recognised standard for social and environmental performance. Other goals include
improving our data collection, expanding sustainability training for our employees, and finding new ways to minimise our impact.
Sustainability is not an add – our intention is to embed it throughout our organisation and ensure it informs our day-to-day actions. We are encouraged by the progress we have made but are conscious that this is a journey. We are determined to work with all of our stakeholders to maximise the opportunities ahead and help us change behaviours and mindsets. Join us in charting a new course.
Read our Sustainability Report 2024 here.
Company No: 02764589 | Registered address: The Coach House, Powell Rd, Buckhurst Hill, Essex, United Kingdom, IG9 5RD | VAT No. GB609134553
