SBTi validates Mitie’s decarbonisation targets

Mitie’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets have been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

Scienced-based targets show organisations how much and how quickly they need to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions in order to prevent the worst effects of climate change, and support ambitions to limit global warming to 1.5°C. The SBTi is a leading global organisation that defines and promotes best practice in emissions reductions and net-zero targets, while independently assessing and approving companies’ targets.

Having announced its scienced-based targets in February 2022, Mitie submitted these for net-zero validation, and, after a stringent process, the SBTi has confirmed that Mitie’s targets meet all criteria in terms of timeframe, emissions coverage and ambition, and that the company’s Scope 1 and 2 target ambition supports a 1.5°C trajectory.

Mitie’s science-based targets include the following commitments:

Near-term targets – by Financial Year 2027

• Reduce Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 29.4 per cent, while also committing to sourcing 100 per cent renewable electricity
• Reduce Scope 3 GHG from purchased goods and services, fuel and energy related activities, waste generated by operations, business travel and employee commuting by 25.2%
• Ensure 60 per cent of suppliers (by spend) have science-based targets in place

Long-term targets – by Financial Year 2046

• Reduce Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 90 per cent
• Reduce Scope 3 GHG emissions by 90 per cent

Plan Zero

Science-based targets add external validation to Mitie’s ambitious Plan Zero pledge to achieve net zero emissions for its operations by 2025. Plan Zero is focused on delivering decarbonisation with targets in three key areas: eliminating Mitie’s carbon emissions from power and transport; eradicating non-sustainable waste; and enhancing inefficient buildings to meet the highest environmental standards.

First set in 2020, Mitie’s achievements so far include:

• A 43% reduction in emissions intensity across the business since Financial Year 2020
• Using 100% renewable energy for all Mitie-controlled offices
• 3,000 EVs across the country including Gritter Thunberg, the UK’s first commercial EV gritter
• Installing 2,600 EV chargers across client sites and at Mitie offices
• Introducing circular economy initiatives including collecting and recycling over 80 tonnes of uniform – diverting these from landfill and saving 1,800 tonnes of carbon emissions

As part of Plan Zero, Mitie also pledged to support its customers with a range of services to help them deliver their own decarbonisation plans. This includes net zero consulting, energy advisor solutions, on-site energy optimisation, decarbonisation projects such as electric vehicle or solar PV installations, and specialist waste and biodiversity services.

Mitie’s expertise has saved over 353,000 tonnes of CO2 for British organisations in the last decade. Examples of this include helping Vodafone UK achieve energy savings worth over £10 million, installing a 6.5MWp solar system, made up of 21,000 solar panels, across the rooftops of terminals at the Port of Hull, as well as supporting Essex County Council save 534 tonnes of CO2 annually through solar panel installations, retrofitting buildings and LED projects.

Jason Roberts, Group Director for Sustainability & Social Value, Mitie, said: “The Science Based Targets initiative is regarded globally as the gold standard for net zero emissions targets, and so receiving validation from their expert team marks an important milestone in our decarbonisation journey. While we have our own ambitious targets of net zero carbon for our operations by 2025, we know that we can make an even bigger impact on the planet by helping our customers decarbonise too.”