Albert Bartlett's Net Zero Targets Aided by Partnership

When Albert Bartlett committed to developing their Net Zero targets under the SBTI (Science Based Target Initiative) they knew they didn't want to just outsource the project to an external supplier.

David Douglas, (Group Environmental & Sustainability Manager) said: ‘When we decided we wanted to meet our Net Zero goals by 2024 the easiest solution may well have been to outsource the entire project.  But we wanted to educate our business and grow from the experience of this ambitious goal.'

Tomson Consulting (TCL) were therefore contracted by Albert Bartlett to provide external advice and support, helping them to develop a carbon management plan (CMP) without taking over the process. The first stage of the project involved members of TCL running workshops with AB. This allowed their company to develop an understanding of topics that would frequently come up when developing a CMP (e.g., scope 1, 2 & 3 emissions) and provided a good introductory discussion into ways in which these topics relate to the work at AB. David added:

‘This was really successful as we wanted to take ownership and get to understand what we needed to do – which wasn't an easy task given the minefield of guidance that is provided, just the electricity emissions guidelines alone were 80 pages so that would have been a lot to deal with ourselves.'

Instead, they invited TCL to initially undertake site visits at the AB facilities in Airdrie, Boston and Westwick – where the energy consumption at each site was reviewed to identify opportunities to reduce carbon emissions and costs associated with buildings, equipment and processes.

Tomson Consulting led the process and helped quantify opportunities which included suggestions such as solar PV installation, insulation, ways of reducing machine operating times and improved climate controls.

‘What was unique and very exciting about our partnership with TCL was the ability to learn so much along the way, finding out ways we can help ourselves manage our Carbon Management Plans going into the future,' David said.

After the assessments, TCL contributed to weekly meetings and provided consistent support to help AB with a variety of tasks to move them towards their goals, including:

• Completing a baseline scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions inventory of for the business following the methods and principles of the GHG protocol,
• Identifying and evaluating opportunities to reduce Scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions, across its activities, including farming,
• Setting appropriate near and long-term carbon reduction targets which meet the requirements of the SBTi that are across the company's scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions,
• Providing practical advice and support on carbon management to the company's agronomy team,
• Developing carbon reduction targets for reducing the company's Forest, Land and Agriculture (FLAG) emissions,
• Prioritising potential carbon reduction projects into a carbon management plan.

The overall aim of the project was to provide guidance and support rather than take over the project and this has been successful according to David, who confirmed that all their original outcome targets have been met.

‘We now have a carbon management plan, a revised and updated carbon management planning tool and a variety of reports into farm-based opportunities to reduce carbon emissions from cropping, irrigation etc. and soil health opportunities for the participating farms,' he said.

Mike Milner, who led the project for TCL, said the success of the project was largely due to the buy-in from Albert Bartlett – which allowed the company to integrate carbon management into its core business rather than view it as a bolt-on.

‘This process alone then compels conversations through the supply chains and prevents the natural default of thinking in silos.'

There is still much work to be done although many of the baseline figures for emissions have been agreed – and now need to be improved.

‘It is a difficult task as there is a lot of data,' said David. ‘We have had to make many assumptions – but we have now identified many opportunities to reduce emissions and will now be looking for many more.'

There have been over 85 projects identified as part of the process which is described by Albert Bartlett as a journey rather than a goal.  These include elements such as light bulbs, tillage, materials, travel, plastics and much more.

Albert Bartlett has been keen to praise Tomson Consulting for their natural and engaging approach. ‘Some consultants want to do everything by numbers – but this approach is more organic and allows us to develop our own practices under their expert guidance.' 

‘We are working together so everyone in the supply chain can help themselves so we can all achieve the sustained change that is needed. The increased awareness of the elements of carbon management -which has been passed to us by TCL – is invaluable and created buy-in through the business from board level to our end customers.'

Albert Bartlett isn't ready to let go of the reins just yet however. They are continuing their journey with a partnership approach – using TCL along the way.

‘This is definitely a team effort and the advice and support we are being offered is being integrated into our culture and long-term operations.'

Companies wishing to seek information on how to gain similar support for the SBTI or carbon management goals can gain further detail on workshops and partnership support by contacting faye@tomsonconsulting.co.uk