Sustainability at Atkinson & Kirby

Leading manufacturer of timber products, Archwood Group, has implemented a new carbon reduction plan as it celebrates significant first year achievements as part of the United Nations’ Race to Net Zero campaign. Since joining the United Nations’ Race to Zero Campaign in November 2021, the business has already achieved a 62% reduction in Scope 1 & 2 carbon emissions. As part of its pledge to achieve Net Zero, Archwood Group is committed to reaching zero emissions by 2050 and halving emissions across all facets of the business by 2030. To help further its sustainability goals and verify its carbon footprint, Archwood Group also partnered with Planet Mark, an independent sustainability certification body to help assess and verify the group’s carbon footprint and subsequent reductions.  Following the group’s first year of actions, the team have seen a 62% reduction in Scope 1 & 2 carbon emissions. This follows various actions that the manufacturer has put in place, including the installation of over 2,600 solar panels at its Chirk factory, installing seven electric vehicle charging points, upgrading to electric fork lift trucks and switching to 100% renewable power on site. The business also plans to eliminate all non-recyclable plastics from its packaging over the course of 2023. As a result, Archwood Group has already been shortlisted for two awards for its recent sustainability achievements at the FSB Sustainability Awards and the Wales Business Awards for ‘Green Business of the Year’. Both its Chirk factory in North Wales and in Livingston, Scotland are included within the Net Zero commitment to measure and reduce the direct emissions, including transportation from timber sources to the supplier, to Archwood Group and onto the customer. Now, a full carbon reduction plan has been established to continue these year-on-year results. Across the entire business, from fuel to energy, a long-term commitment has been put in place to achieve Net Zero by 2050 and reduce global carbon emissions by 50% before 2030. Further ambitions include: eliminating all carbon emissions from fuels consumed at all operational sites and its internal HGV fleet by 2030, as well as achieving zero carbon emissions and the ability to generate 100% of its own energy requirement by 2030. Josh Burbidge, Managing Director of Archwood Group, comments: “A total reduction of 62% in carbon emissions within one year is an incredible achievement and demonstrates all of the hard work that our team has dedicated towards our sustainability goals.” “The carbon reduction plan now set in place at Archwood will ensure these results are maintained and improved annually. Our involvement in the Race to Zero campaign is at the forefront of all of our business decisions and will continue to be in years to come.”

Here at Atkinson & Kirby, through our latest sustainability report, we have taken the time to analyse where our carbon footprint comes from to ensure we continue to deliver on our sustainable promises. The rising threat of greenwashing throughout competing industries has made it hugely important for us to document regular updates on our sustainability achievements. This is especially vital as we progress further with our pledges to achieve Net Zero, as part of the United Nations Race to Zero campaign, by no later than 2050 and halve our greenhouse gas emissions before 2030. We have taken the time to analyse where our carbon footprint comes from and ensure that we continue to deliver on our promise to give our customers the most eco-friendly and sustainable selection of timber products. Forming eco-friendly initiatives is crucial to our industries affect on the climate and we want to do our part in having a positive impact on the planet and society. Here’s just some of our most recent achievements: A zero waste to landfill policy, which means that 100% of our wood waste is recycled and repurposed. Recent solar panel installation at our Chirk factory, where we now generate 40% of the sites total energy requirements and helps to reduce our carbon emissions. Installation of seven electric vehicle charging points at our HQ carpark. Plans set in place to eliminate non-recyclable plastics from all of our packaging throughout 2023. Created six realistic objectives across the whole business to work on this year: carbon footprint, energy, packaging, commuting, waste/recycling and sustainable timber. Reflecting on the past year, our Managing Director, Josh Burbidge, describes how the business is setting the benchmark with Net Zero goals and year-on-year transparency towards their sustainability progress: “At Atkinson & Kirby, we’re passionate about design, manufacturing and the sustainable sourcing of timber products. We feel truly privileged to work with this incredible resource every day and we will always champion and support sustainable timber sourcing and production.” Download the full Sustainability Report 2022 here.

Atkinson & Kirby are proud to announce that as part of our ongoing commitment to environmental best practise that we have formally joined the United Nations Race to Zero campaign. Race to Zero is the UN-backed global campaign rallying businesses to take rigorous and immediate action to halve global emissions by 2030 and deliver a healthier, fairer zero carbon world. All members are committed to the same overarching goal: reducing emissions across all scopes swiftly and fairly in line with the Paris Agreement, with transparent action plans and robust near-term targets. 2020 to 2030 is the most important 10 years for us and our planet. The Decade of Action, as called for by the United Nations, will determine the course of humanity. That is why we are supporting Planet Mark’s Zero Carbon Tour and have decided to make the  Zero Carbon Commitment, taking transformational change across the business to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Together we are creating a brighter future, you can too. As part of the commitment, we’re pledging to: Halve our absolute greenhouse gas emissions before 2030 Achieve net zero emissions before 2050 Disclose our progress on a yearly basis We are taking rigorous and immediate action to halve global emissions by 2030 and deliver a healthier, safer and cleaner world. We’ll be keeping you updated throughout our Race to Zero journey. We will be sharing our first Sustainability Report very soon...  

We have recently appointed an internal Environmental Action Group to drive our sustainability goals and pledge for a greener future. Amid a turbulent year for the timber trade, Atkinson & Kirby has appointed an Environmental Action Group to drive our sustainability agenda with the aim to reduce carbon emissions. The impact of climate change combined with the pandemic and Brexit has had a huge impact on the timber industry, with shortages widely publicised and both builders and consumers struggling to get their hands on supplies. Thanks to our long-standing partnerships with domestic and international timber suppliers, we are proud to have been able to maintain a constant supply of certified material into the UK market during these challenging times. Our appointment of the Environment Action Group demonstrates our ongoing commitment to environmental best practice and environmental responsibility. The group is ISO 14001:2015 accredited which confirms its environmental management systems are complaint with the standard’s rigorous requirements. The Environmental Action Group is working towards the ultimate goal of reducing carbon emissions and is currently reviewing its environmental impact. From this, the group will ascertain a baseline and develop a carbon footprint management plan which sets clear measurable objectives, targets and timescales to becoming net zero. We believe that all of the small changes we make at Atkinson & Kirby can have a big impact globally. We pledge to make our contribution to a more sustainable future.  The appointment comes as we launch our ‘Sustainability Month’ this September with a range of meaningful eco initiatives, including the launch of a partnership with COAT Paints. Designed using a water-based, low-toxin and solvent free formula, COAT Paints are also animal cruelty free and vegan, as well as being carbon neutral. Sustainability Month is an important initiative for us to help drive awareness of our brand as well as the importance of a sustainable timber trade to preserve the environment. Keep an eye on our website and social channels for more updates.