Our commitment to Sustainability
For over 150 years, we've dedicated to protecting and supporting children and young people. It's at the heart of everything we do.
But today, the climate crisis poses a serious threat to that future, and we have a responsibility to act.
We're on a journey to reduce our environmental impact. Our first has been to understand how our operations affect the planet, including calculating our carbon footprint and identifying where we can do better.
At Action for Children, we've developed a carbon reduction roadmap that outlines our ambitions. As we gather more data, this roadmap will grow and evolve.
We've already started making positive changes and we're committed to going further.
By making more sustainable choices and working together with our stakeholders - including suppliers, colleagues, volunteers, and the people we support - we're on a mission to minimise our environmental footprint and secure brighter futures for children, families and communities.
The climate crisis is not only an environmental issue, but also a children's rights issue.
- 78% of primary-aged children in the UK say they are worried about climate change, with over a quarter feeling very worried.
- 49% of young people aged 16-25 in the UK report being very or extremely worried. Over half believe climate change will limit their future opportunities.
- If global temperatures rise beyond 1.5°C, 38 million children born in 2020 could face extreme heat events at unusual levels during their lifetimes.
- A UK government report highlights that increases in temperature can negatively affect children's ability to concentrate and learn.
These statistics are a stark reminder that children are already feeling the effects of climate change - emotionally, mentally and physically. That's why we're focused on reducing our environmental impact and prioritising sustainability across our operations.
We're committed to reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050. While we're still relatively early in our sustainability journey, we're laying strong foundations and embracing the opportunity to make a lasting difference.
What we've achieved:
- Developed a carbon reduction roadmap aligned with net zero by 2050.
- Started to electrify our vehicle fleet to reduce transport emissions.
- Appointed a Sustainability Manager to lead and coordinate our efforts.
Looking ahead:
We're in the process of developing a sustainability strategy that will set out short, medium and long-term goals. It will also have clear targets to track our progress.
Our current focus areas include:
- Improving energy efficiency across our buildings and services.
- Engaging colleagues, volunteers, and children we support in sustainability efforts.
- Promoting a circular economy, including reducing waste and boosting reuse/recycling.
- Further embedding sustainable procurement practices across the charity.
- Deepening our understanding of Scope 3 emissions, including supply chain and direct impacts.
We know this is a long-term journey, and we're committed to learning, evolving, and doing better every step of the way.
