18 November 2022
FirstPort, the UK’s leading residential property services provider, is launching an industry-leading partnership with Net Zero International, as it works towards the Government’s net zero targets, and joins the United Nations’ Race to Zero initiative.
FirstPort will be partnering with Net Zero International to deliver a net zero strategy across the FirstPort group, working towards mitigating a minimum of 90% of its baseline emissions, in line with science-based targets. This partnership will allow FirstPort to lead the way among managing agents, ahead of any future legislative changes, announced by Government.
FirstPort is working towards its net zero targets, as part of a three-point plan, implementing solutions through the short, medium and long term, with an initial focus on its direct activities. This includes reducing gas and electricity consumption at offices, company car mileage and other business travel.
Later phases of the strategy will incorporate the wider business, including its supply chain of over 8,000 suppliers and operations across its portfolio of managed developments. Later phases are being mapped out and it is envisaged this will include embedding structured reporting into the company’s supply chain, and reporting on the energy efficiency and carbon footprint of managed buildings to support clients to meet their own net zero requirements.
Net Zero International will provide vital tools and guidance to calculate and verify its progress and is currently working with the business to set a benchmark for improvement to be measured on. FirstPort has joined the UN Race to Zero and is committed to achieving net zero by 2050.
Christian Phipps, Sustainability Manager at FirstPort, said:
“At FirstPort, sustainability and minimising our environmental impact is a key priority across all areas of the business. We believe in modernising our operations to better protect the planet, and we are on course to achieve government targets ahead of the required timeframe.
As a property manager, responsible for thousands of homes across England, Scotland and Wales, focussing our efforts on our sustainability strategy gives us the opportunity to make a positive impact on a substantial scale.
“We are extremely proud of our efforts to date, and we are excited to partner with Net Zero International. Their experience and expertise in the field will enable us to push our ambitions even further, and lead our industry on its journey to a more sustainable future.”
David Hawes, CEO and Co-Founder of Net Zero International, said:
“We are delighted to be partnering with FirstPort to create, implement and embed their Net Zero strategy. This includes a comprehensive supply chain engagement plan to measure and reduce indirect Scope 3 emissions, and the development of the ‘FirstPort Properties’ initiative.
“The senior team at FirstPort are committed to making a difference and will use their market leading position to influence the industry and to decarbonise in line with Science Based Targets.”
Christian Phipps discusses FirstPort’s net zero strategy, including its partnership with Net Zero International, with Sumit Bose, founder of Future Net Zero on the Net Hero podcast.
