Carbon Reduction Plan 2025

Introduction

Forever Manchester is proud to support Greater Manchester’s bold ambition to become carbon neutral by 2038. We recognise that this goal cannot be achieved in isolation, and we are committed to playing our part in the collective effort to create a healthy, low-carbon, nature-rich city-region. As a Community Foundation, we aim to lead by example, embedding sustainable practices across our operations, partnerships, and funding activities, to help ensure that every person in Greater Manchester can live well in a thriving, green economy.

Baseline Emissions

This is our first carbon reporting year, so this year will also act as our baseline. Our offices are located on the 1^st floor of a shared building which has undergone a full refurbishment including energy efficient air conditioning as well as LED intelligent lighting, where lights turn off if no-one is in an area. The 1^st floor holds a C energy rating and the Energy Performance Certificate can be found here: Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) – GOV.UK.

Baseline Year Emissions 2024 to 2025

Current Year Emissions 2024 to 2025

Carbon Reduction Targets

Our initial targets are to:

• Convert to a green electricity provider by 2025.
• Develop a framework to accurately capture scope 3 emissions by 2026.
• Reduce total carbon emissions by 15% over the next 3 years.
• Achieve net zero by 2038, in line with Greater Manchester’s carbon neutral strategy.

Actions and Commitments

Operational Efficiency

As our office is in a shared facility, we have focused on the aspects that we can control as a business:

• Maintain a paperless office, reducing our paper usage as much as possible.
• Adopt digital-first communication.
• Ensure all office equipment uses energy-saving features.
• Replace laptops and electrical appliances etc. with the latest energy efficient models as we make upgrades.
• Turn off computers and heating systems outside office hours.
• Use recycled products and materials wherever possible.
• All our staff work remotely, with most staff travelling into the office two or three times a week and mostly by public transport. Two of our team are fully remote.
• Maintain safe and comfortable working conditions while reducing energy use.

Waste Management and Recycling

We are a small, office-based organisation and as such, our waste generation is limited. However, we have taken steps to ensure that the waste we do generate is properly managed:

• Maintain and expand paper recycling schemes and where possible extend to cover more materials.
• Recycle electronic waste, e.g. old laptops and PCs, are disposed of through an accredited third party.
• Minimise water wasted by using an energy-efficient dishwasher and making use of its half-load and eco-settings.

Accountability and Staff Engagement

• Our Carbon Reduction Lead and Director of Operations, Gill Green, leads the Carbon Reduction Steering Group and meets our staff Sustainability Ambassadors to discuss progress towards targets.
• Ensure all employees understand and support the carbon reduction plan as well as our environmental policy.
• Provide training and resources to encourage low-carbon behaviours.
• Promote flexible working to reduce commuting emissions.
• Create additional guidance for our team on how they can embed energy saving approaches when working from home.

Community and Funding Impact

• Encourage grantees to adopt carbon reduction plans.
• Explore funding streams that support environmental sustainability.
• Share carbon reduction best practices with other community foundations.

Monitoring and Reporting

• Review this plan annually and update website copy.
• Publish progress updates in our annual report including year on year % reduction in emissions.
• Use carbon calculators and external audits where appropriate.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Involve staff, trustees, and volunteers in meeting our carbon reduction plan.
• Encourage grantees and suppliers to adopt sustainable practices.
• Communicate progress to the public and funders.

Declaration and Sign Off

This Carbon Reduction Plan has been completed in accordance with PPN 06/21 and associated guidance and reporting standard for Carbon Reduction Plans.

Emissions have been reported and recorded in accordance with the GHG Reporting Protocol standard using the appropriate Government emission conversion factors. Government emission conversion factors for greenhouse gas company reporting.

This plan has been reviewed and approved by the Senior Leadership Team.

Director of Operations

Signed on behalf of Forever Manchester