We recently had a valuable discussion with Jazz Dhaliwal, Operations Manager at Opus, about sustainability - a key focus for us as a business and as part of Vertas Group. We explored our ongoing efforts to support sustainable development and the initiatives we are undertaking to further our commitment to this important area.
What policies and strategies have been implemented to support sustainable development?
As part of Vertas Group, we have introduced a Vertas Group Sustainability and Social Value strategy highlighting our commitment to achieving Net Zero Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions across the entire value chain by 2050 from a 2022 baseline year which, is further supported by a near term target to reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 90% by 2030.
The strategy revolves around four key pillars: People, Places, Partners, and Planet. These pillars are designed to enhance the wellbeing and growth of our people, benefit the communities and environments where we operate, create opportunities for responsible enterprises we collaborate with, and monitor our operations to reduce our environmental impact.
This strategy clearly reflects the Group’s commitment to environmental preservation and positive social impact through our core values and practices. We all have a role in advancing sustainability, and I am excited to support the Group in achieving these important goals.
What cultural changes has Opus made?
At Opus, we are now actively recording and measuring our social value impact, and it's truly rewarding to witness the positive effects our business is having on the communities we serve. Over the past year, I have been involved in various social value initiatives, such as providing mock interview workshops at schools in the West Midlands and working closely with the Jobs Centre to deliver talks to the local community on public sector opportunities and career paths. I've seen firsthand the significant difference they make.
Additionally, Vertas Group provides a comprehensive training platform that ensures colleagues stay informed and up to date on crucial topics like GDPR and Health and Safety. Last year, the Group introduced a Sustainability training module that covered sustainability principles, including understanding your carbon footprint, the Group’s initiatives, and actionable steps each of us can take to reduce our environmental impact.
I found this module incredibly insightful and informative. It’s essential for everyone to understand what sustainability truly means and recognise the actions we can take to reduce our footprint and protect our environment. As I’ve said before, we all have a role to play!
I have also seen that waste management information and instructions are now embedded within the induction process for new starters across the Group, and facts, tips, waste awareness toolkits, and regular updates on sustainability performance are provided to all colleagues through our internal communications platform. Our waste emissions decreased by 22% last year!
What physical changes has Opus made?
We have introduced QR codes throughout the business to replace paper sign-up forms at events and digital business cards for staff to minimise paper wastage. Previously, our timesheets were also printed on paper, but they are now fully integrated online for greater efficiency. In fact, from 2023, paper emissions have decreased by 72.9% across the Group.
As part of the Group's sustainability efforts, they have made several upgrades to our head office in Ipswich, which saw a decrease in building emissions by 35.1% in 2023. These include the installation of LED lighting and 9 electric charging points, the use of 100% renewable electricity, and the addition of an air source heat pump. To add to that, gas emissions were reduced by a significant 78% last year.
What are our next steps on our road to a more sustainable future?
Guided by our Planet Mark reports, which outline our reduction targets, we are committed to continuously lowering our emissions each year to meet these goals.
Over the past three years, Opus has experienced significant growth and established new partnerships across the country. This expansion has led to increased travel between sites, and to address this, we are utilising sustainable transport options, such as use of electric pool cars, to further reduce our emissions.
How has being part of Vertas Group supported Opus on its journey of sustainable development?
Being part of the group has been hugely beneficial. All three businesses have embraced and are aligned to the same strategy and goals, which gives the Group more authority and influence to approve and implement changes to how we work.
I believe our unified approach as a Group can only positively support Opus’s development towards a more sustainable future.
I look forward to seeing the progressive strides we continue to make in delivering the Sustainability and Social Value strategy.
