Sheffield firm Gripple cuts emissions by 40 per cent as it pursues net zero goal

The company, which makes wire joiners and tensioners for agriculture and suspension solutions for construction, has just published its 2021 progress report on its climate action plan.

It shows that in 2021, total emissions were reduced by 40 per cent compared to 2020.

The report noted the figures were “affected by unusual circumstances including the Covid-19 pandemic”.

Steps that have been taken towards reducing emissions include a company car fleet decarbonisation plan, the installation of further solar panels for its sites across Yorkshire and ongoing building upgrades. Carbon offsetting work has also taken place.

Gripple was aiming for its UK operations to be carbon neutral by the end of 2022. A report on the firm’s progress last year is due to be published in May.

Gripple intends to have carbon neutral for its global operations by 2023 and net zero carbon emissions by 2030, with the May report due to set out what progress has been made in those areas.

Tasha Lyth, Sustainability Manager at Gripple, said: “I am delighted to report that in year one since we launched our sustainability strategy, good progress has been made towards our first three goals, we are advancing towards achieving net zero by 2030.

“We are at the crucial half way mark towards achieving our first goal of our UK operations being carbon neutral and at this point, our controlled emissions have been reduced by 40 per cent.

“The release of our progress report helps our customers, partners, and colleagues understand more about how we are growing our business in an inclusive, environmentally conscious way.

"The progress detailed in the report has been externally verified through Gripple achieving Planet Mark business certification.”

Gripple follows the Planet Mark business certification methodology on data collection and data quality for the areas of operations that contribute to its carbon footprint, including: energy, water, waste, travel and some elements of procurement.

Planet Mark business certification is an internationally recognised sustainability certification for organisation’s acknowledging continuous progress, encouraging action and building an empowered community of likeminded individuals.

Achieving this certification recognises Gripple’s commitment to continually improve the measurement of and reduction in carbon emissions, energy and water consumption, business travel and waste.

Ms Lyth added: “The Planet Mark certification validates that we are collecting data correctly and accurately working towards significant reductions in the carbon footprint across our business.

“Sustainability has become embedded in our purpose and is fundamental to everything we do at Gripple. Our activities go beyond being carbon neutral and achieving net zero carbon emissions, by designing products and solutions that deliver environmental benefits to customers and local communities in our areas of operation globally.”