Government, public sector & charities

Sustainability experts in the government, public and non-profit sectors

The public sector has an opportunity to be a pioneer for sustainability in the future.

The public sector has a crucial role to play in tackling the climate emergency. Local and national government set policy will directly influence climate action for decades to come – and simultaneously hold assets and make procurement decisions that generate significant carbon emissions. The recent requirements on suppliers to government departments to set Net Zero strategies is one example of the public sector driving decarbonisation through its buying power. And businesses look to the public sector to set the direction – through reducing their own carbon footprint and supply chain impacts, to motivating others through policy and incentives. The public sector must lead if we are to see the radical decarbonisation we need.

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Government, public sector and charities

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Rising expectations and reducing budgets are obstacles that the public sector needs to overcome when tackling sustainability.

The public sector is under increasing scrutiny to act in line with commitments like climate emergency declarations and net zero commitments. Stakeholders ranging from national and international governments to local residents and voters expect those in public office and with charitable aims to demonstrate leadership on sustainability. Failure to act can result in being called out in the media, having donations withdrawn, or accusations of greenwash.

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However, alongside these rising expectations, budgets are still tightening in the wake of multiple recessions, making it even harder for the public sector to take the decisive action needed to tackle the entrenched issues of sustainability.

With a mandate to act for the public good, or charitable aims at the heart of your organisation, it can be difficult to navigate competing voices and ensure that you can continue to deliver against your core aims while taking action to make your organisation truly sustainable.

Sustainability Issues

Sustainability strategy

Without a clear strategy, any individual project or campaign won’t deliver against the radical decarbonisation we need to achieve. Sustainability strategy draws on the ambitions and challenges across your organisation that need addressing if you are to succeed. It will also give an overarching framework within which specific targets can be set. We work with public sector organisations and charities of all sizes to set sustainability strategies to tackle your material impacts and deliver against your organisational aims.

Sustainability targets and net zero roadmaps

With a strategy in place, you can then identify how to reduce your impacts in environmental and social sustainability, with appropriate governance in place. We have supported organisations to set Science-Based Targets, to monitor progress against Greening Government Commitments, and to devise decarbonisation roadmaps aligned to Net Zero, carbon neutrality, and other decarbonisation frameworks.

Decarbonisation plans and implementation

The public sector often has estates and building portfolios to manage, and while budgets are tight, these need contribute to your decarbonisation targets. We can support on capital projects including scoping and project managing the installation of renewable generation assets, development work for large-scale infrastructure projects, and strategic asset review to identify opportunities within your portfolio.

Client success Stories

Bunzl, the leading FTSE 100 company and global distributor defines its strategic sustainability framework for action.

UK fashion brand Seasalt addresses the key environmental hotspots across its value chain by measuring its carbon, water and waste footprint, resulting in the creation of a strategic sustainability roadmap.

Dentsu, the multinational media and digital marketing communications giant, shows commitment to reduce its global carbon footprint.

COMMUNITY-LED HEAT PROJECTS

Our “Community-led heat projects” guide aims to support communities who want to explore the potential for local heat networks where they live. The guide originates from our experience in supporting communities in planning for and installing heat projects, and has been produced by Avieco and the Swaffham Prior community heat project board, funded by Cambridgeshire County Council, Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority, and the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy.

Download our guide

Government, Public Sector and Charities
Sustainability Consultants

With a specialist sustainability team serving the public sector, charities and not-for-profits, Avieco is well placed to support your organisation, your impact, and your sustainability challenges, to help you identify what really matters to you in your journey to becoming sustainable.

Find out how we can help