In its latest sustainability report, SIG UK outlines how it will drive down emissions in a bid to become a zero carbon business by 2035.
Over the last two years, SIG achieved a further 19% reduction in its operational carbon footprint compared to the 2021 baseline.
AccuRoof is a part of SIG Roofing, a division of SIG Plc.
Energy Consumption
Whilst road vehicle fuel remained SIG’s largest emitting activity in 2022 and 2023, its emissions from electricity consumption were mitigated entirely over this period by switching to renewable energy.
SIG says introducing electric vehicles and HVO-fuelled (Hydrated Vegetable Oil) lorries is having a significant impact. The report also shows improved telemetrics and route planning to cut the number of miles travelled is further reducing emissions in this area.
Monitoring and reducing the energy consumption of every branch and warehouse is also helping to reduce emissions and awareness programmes are being run to ensure that every individual within the business understands how their actions can contribute.
Driving Down Carbon Emissions
SIG says its next stage is to address emissions associated with its business operations, which account for 97% of the organisation’s total carbon emissions. Emissions generated from the production of the goods and services that SIG purchases represented the largest proportion of its carbon footprint (84%).
In response to these results, SIG is encouraging suppliers to produce Environmental Product Declarations, outlining the embodied carbon within their product range. SIG will then collate this information within its SIG Assured programme to make the data easily accessible for customers.
Sustainable Materials
SIG is also championing a growing range of product solutions moving towards more sustainable materials. Insulation utilising sheep wool and hemp are examples of products which are currently considered marginal but set to become mainstream over the next decade.
SIG aims to share knowledge with its customers at trade days where it will provide advice on the utilisation of PV technology as well as introducing new product options.
“As a distributor, it is perhaps not surprising that the vast majority of carbon emissions associated with our business come under the heading of Scope 3,” explains Lorna Stork, Environmental, Sustainability and Governance Director.
“These emissions are beyond our direct control but are absolutely our business. Only through effective partnering and a joined-up commitment to carbon reduction will the construction sector be able to deliver meaningful progress towards a zero-carbon future.
“As we progress through 2024, we continue a relentless focus on understanding what it takes to be a zero-carbon business and implementing proactive programmes to improve performance on every part of the process.”
Chris Lodge, Managing Director UK Exteriors adds,
Across UK Exteriors in 2022 and 2023, we’ve been putting in place detailed plans to accelerate our environmental actions, while further enhancing social responsibility practices.
Building on our positive internal actions, we will soon be well-placed to bring more innovative offerings to the external market for our clients, such as green roofing solutions and sustainable solar-based practices.
We’re currently experiencing an industry-wide solar push in which Exteriors is well-positioned to provide photovoltaic solutions to c.16,000 of our roofing contractors. At the same time, our team are currently exploring options for water harvesting from rooftops in response to growing pressure and demand for sustainable water-based practices.
Looking at our future sustainability deliverables within SIG UK in the coming years, I would say that fleet replacement is going to be crucial as it accounts for a high proportion of our emissions.
Additional information about our country-wide plans can be found on page 9 of the UK Sustainability Report.
Download the UK Sustainability Report 2023 here.
