OUR PLAN B 2024
WE ARE NOT SUSTAINABLE
BUT WE ARE A FORCE FOR GOOD (WITH A B CORP TM)
AGC is Britain’s first B Corp™ certified interior design collective. We believe in making a positive impact on the world by acting and evolving as a responsible company.
We will never be sustainable as there is always room for improvement. So instead of sustaining and maintaining our performance, we have prioritised plans to regenerate and continue our never ending journey towards sustainability.
OUR PROMISES
• We commit to proving to you that we can make a positive impact on the world by acting and evolving as a responsible company.
• We promise to direct our efforts on measures that deliver the biggest impacts, aiming to continuously review and improve AGC’s environmental performance.
• We pledge to play our part in building an industry that is filled with, and supports talent from all backgrounds, abilities, ages and identities.
• We aim to create a positive impact on society. We support the Red Cross and charities that mean the most to our people.
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to produce intelligent, carefully considered interior design and furniture solutions for our clients by investing in our people and our creativity, contributing to our communities, behaving sustainably and by being a force for good in all that we do.
• We understand that being a ‘Force for Good’ is a journey without a destination and we are committed to continuously improve and evolve our business for good.
ALEC & STELLA, CO-FOUNDERS
“As interior designers and creators, we believe in the power of design, not just to shape spaces, but to shape a better future.”
Since becoming B Corp TM certified in January 2023, we have committed to asking more questions, demanding greater responsibility from our manufacturers, and striving for full traceability so that you, our clients and partners, are always informed. We are designing kinder, and creating furniture that lasts longer in order to waste less, and value more. We are embracing a future where repairing, reusing, and even renting are as natural as buying new.
In 2024, we took meaningful steps forward and;
• Offset all 2023 emissions and became carbon neutral.
• Relaunched our Sustainability Manifesto , putting clear, actionable commitments at the heart of our work.
• Renewed our DEI Pledge , reaffirming our belief in a business that welcomes, values, and empowers all voices.
• Deepened our collaboration with United in Design (UID) , expanding our mentoring programmes to offer even greater opportunity to underrepresented talent in our industry.
We know that transformation doesn’t happen overnight. It takes bold ideas, consistent action, and unwavering belief. This is only the beginning, and we are proud to share our progress with you in this B Corp TM Impact Report.
By working together and holding ourselves to higher standards, we believe we can be a true force for good.
THE B CORPORATION™ MOVEMENT
B Corps™ are defined as businesses that want to achieve more than just making a profit. Their company goals and values are committed to creating a positive impact on their employees, communities, clients and suppliers throughout strategic decisions and operations - (that’s us!)
Every certified B Corp TM has achieved a baseline score aligned with established standards. Over the past few years, this framework has enabled us to elevate our score, continuously improve, and take great pride in our progress.
As of July 2025, B Corp TM will be launching a new assessment framework. We’re excited to be among the first organisations to certify under this more accountable model.
OURJOURNEY
The most challenging aspect of any journey is often determining your start point (we started here).
Since 2023, the B Corp TM journey has motivated and assisted us in progressively raising our score.
Baseline score in January 2023
OUR SUSTAINABILITY MANIFESTO
Since achieving our B Corp TM certification in 2023, we’ve made significant progress on our sustainability journey. In 2024 it felt fitting to set even clearer, more detailed ambitions (see green) in light of our hard work and we relaunched our Manifesto.
equal & respectful working conditions
10
100% of packaging materials to become reusable or ‘widely recyclable’.
Commitment towards extending product life through circularity initiatives.
42% average reduction across Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 2030 (2022 base year) and to measure and reduce scope 3 emissions.
sourcing from ‘responsible’
traceability on full supply chain increasingly offering ‘responsible’ product.
Foster future design talent through mentoring, apprenticeships, and inclusivity.
Build a diverse team through equitable recruitment and partnerships.
To align with evolving B Corp TM standards, we will carry out a stakeholder analysis to inform a Materiality Assessment that will guide our decision-making.
Ensure an inclusive workplace with flexible working and gender pay equity.
Uphold human rights and living wages across the supply chain.
Collaborate with industry to address disparities and share progress transparently.
THINGS WE ARE PROUD OF
Pioneering our industry & becoming the first B Corp™ certified interior design collective.
Setting clearer, more detailed ambitions when we relaunched our sustainability manifesto. Becoming the first interior design collective to have our near-term greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets validated by the SBTi.
Offsetting 176.5 tonnes CO2e of carbon and achieving carbon neutrality in 2022 and 2023.
In 2023, we achieved a 7% reduction in like-for-like emissions vs 2022.
06 07 08 09 10
Commencing our audit of Scope 3 emissions which is a challenging initiative for our industry.
Relaunching our DEI pledge to ensure it is more detailed and meaningful, working in harmony with our sustainability manifesto. Annually welcoming interns from United in Design’s graduate apprenticeship scheme.
Initiating the “B Corps TM of the interiors world” community.
Relaunching our Accouter Academy pack to ensure our new team members have the support, guidance, and training they need to succeed from day 1.
7% LESS CARBON AND COUNTING
LEADING THE WAY TO CARBON NEUTRALITY
In accordance with AGC’s Sustainability manifesto and our ambition to safeguard the environment and preserve its natural resources, in 2024 we completed another Scope 1 & 2 carbon audit of our 2023 operations via a third party.
2023 EMISSIONS
*In this year’s calculations, we adjusted our 2022 figures to correct miles vs. kilometres in certain travel data and to ensure we are consistently using the same DEFRA coefficients year on year. As a result, the overall net total for last year was restated from 79.8 tonnes which we offset to a reduced 78.2 tonnes.
PACKAGING WASTE
&
72.5 TONNES like-for-like emissions vs 2022
Waste & Recycling emissions reported for the first time.
12.9 TONNES emissions reduction
2023 OFFSET
Our Offset Strategy revolves around investing in Forest Carbon’s gold standard re-afforestation projects. Through these investments, we actively contribute to projects both within the UK and internationally, resulting in an immediate impact on achieving carbon neutrality. Furthermore, these initiatives allow us to store carbon credits for the future, reinforcing our commitment to long-term sustainability.
INTERNATIONAL AT URUGUAY: 96.7 tonnes CO2e** Forestal el Arriero UK CARBONCLUB50: 50 tonnes CO2e of carbon credits
**Gross, including logistics partners waste and recycling not recorded in 2022
PARTNERING WITH FOREST CARBON
Forest Carbon leads the way in developing woodland creation and peatland restoration projects for carbon capture and ecosystem services in the UK. They have planted over 10.3 million new trees in 220+ new woodlands since 2006 with their partners removing over 2.1 million tonnes of CO2e from the atmosphere, as well as providing a host of other benefits to society, including habitat creation, biodiversity support, flood mitigation, river ecosystem improvement and public access. Outside of the UK their partners have offset a further 1 million tonnes CO2e and protected or planted in excess of 3 million trees.
OUR PROJECTS IN DETAIL
URUGUAY - FORESTAL EL ARRIERO
This project represents the conversion of land in the east of Uruguay previously under extensive grazing by beef cattle to high quality and high value timber production, used for long-lived products and so ensuring continued carbon storage. Forests are replanted after felling, providing continuous rotations of carbon capture. The projects contribute to sustainable development in Uruguay, mainly through:
• Increased employment and quality of employment
• Rural development (decentralization)
• Improved national balance of payments through exports and value-added activity in country
• Biodiversity preservation
• Improvement and preservation of soil quality
UK
We have joined their Carbon Club 50, through which we will be responsible for planting around 200 trees each year. They will grow in permanent new woodlands at Doddington in Northumberland, Corriechuillie in the Scottish Highlands & Tom’s Wood near York in North Yorkshire. They will accrue 50 carbon credits per year over time to address 50 tonnes
SAFEGUARD ENVIRONMENT
& NATURAL RESOURCES
In 2024 we proudly announced that we were the first UK-based interior design collective to have our near-term greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets validated by the SBTi.
REDUCING
OUR TARGET
Through the SBTi, a collaboration between the CDP (Continuing Professional Development), United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute (WRI), and World-Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), we have committed to reducing our Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 42% by 2030 from a 2022 base year. These targets are in line with the reductions needed to limit global warming to 1.5°C, the most ambitious goal of the Paris Agreement (a legally binding international treaty on climate change.)
WHAT’S NEXT?
We also have started to measure our Scope 3 emissions which is proving to be our biggest challenge to date.
KEY PRIORITIES (IMPROVEMENT TARGETS)
Endeavour to partner with supply chain to help them manage their emissions.
Publishing Scope 3 emissions, starting with BoxNine7’s Conscious Collection.
Completing our audit of 2024 Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions.
Move to renewable electricity tariff at new offices in a bid to reduce 6 tonnes CO2e.
Following a 5.1t increase in business travel emissions resulting from our expansion into Dubai and New York, we will monitor travel-related emissions using 2024 as our baseline year. This will allow us to track changes associated with global growth and ensure emissions remain aligned with our long-term reduction targets.
Improve reporting on waste/recycling and water usage at new offices.
Initiate detailed review of packaging to reduce Landfill waste.
our full Carbon Report for 2023 here.
CIRCULARITY
‘A circular economy is a model of production and consumption, which involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products for as long as possible.’
BREAKING IT DOWN
Saying goodbye to cheap, low-quality materials, our new furniture collections were designed with the future in mind, and selected products come with a ‘Lifetime Guarantee’. We have introduced our new Conscious Collection, using a range of suppliers, and with each piece telling its own story.
Not only that, but we have saved 1000s of furnishing items from landfills over the years with our rental offering, which sees furniture lovingly restored before being sent to its new address.
CIRCULARITY INITIATIVE
GUIDING SUPPLIERS TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE
PRACTICES
Ambition
100% sourcing from responsible suppliers
As part of our commitment to sourcing only from responsible suppliers, we surveyed 66 of our most regular partners to assess their sustainability maturity. This data provides valuable insight into how we’re progressing against our responsible sourcing goals. It also reflects a broader trend within the interiors industry: while only a minority of suppliers have formal strategies, most are taking early steps - indicating strong potential for industry-wide transformation through collaboration and shared accountability.
18%
Actively Sustainable 74% In Progress 8%
with formal ESG or sustainability strategies and defined targets.
Limited Focus demonstrated awareness and implementing ad hoc initiatives.
with no current sustainability plans in place.
KEY PRIORITIES
01 02 03
Optimise our sustainability and onboarding survey and enhancing the onboarding process with educational materials for our supply chain.
Launch our Resource Hub to share tools and best practices openly in our industry.
Encourage our supply chain who are alone on this journey with shared knowledge and support.
OUR ENVIRONMENTAL ICONS
At AGC, we believe in transparency and responsible sourcing. To forever increase our offering of responsible products, we need to seek full traceability from our handpicked suppliers. The role of the environmental icons is to grade our supply chain’s products, whilst giving you clarity and confidence in buying from us. You will find these icons labelled on all our furniture pieces across our curated furniture pack collections by BoxNine7, online on Bazaar product pages and openly available for our AGC BTR clients.
ORGANIC
Product is made up of >70% naturally occurring raw materials, without the use of chemical or other artificial elements.
THOUGHTFUL FURNITURE
Item is reclaimed, recycled or upcycled usually an antique or vintage item given a new life.
NON-TOXIC
Product is guaranteed to be free of harmful chemicals.
FSC TIMBER
Wood has been harvested in compliance with rules and regulations to protect our natural resources.
MADE IN THE UK
Product is manufactured or assembled within the UK.
MADE TO ORDER
Made in accordance with our customer’s specifications to minimise wastage in production.
SUSTAINABLE SUPPLIER
Actively sustainable and have an ESG and/or Sustainability strategy/Eco Manifesto in place with defined targets to achieve over a given period of time.
CONSCIOUS SUPPLIER
Working towards becoming sustainable with an awareness and ad hoc initiatives set out.
FABULOUS FILLINGS & TOPPINGS
Foam, Fibre, Wool, Fur and Feather fillings are sourced in the UK for maximum quality assurance and are cruelty-free.
NO PLASTIC FANTASTIC 100% of product packaging is reusable or widely recyclable.
ETHICAL
Supply chain conforms with all relevant International Labour Organisation (ILO) policies surrounding child labour, workers rights, freedom of association, minimum wages & health & safety.
HANDCRAFTED
Products and/or elements have been handcrafted by artisans to preserve craft traditions and support independent artisan businesses.
DIVERSE & INCLUSIVE SUPPLIER
Supplier celebrates the values of equality, diversity, and inclusion by being an actively diverse supplier and promoting inclusivity and opportunity.
CARBON CONSCIOUS
Supplier is carbon neutral or has plans in place to get to achieve this. They are able to inform us of the carbon footprint of the product they supply.
Ambition
GUIDING SUPPLIERS TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
100% traceability on full supply chain increasingly offering “responsible” product
Following the introduction of our environmental icons, we carried out a comprehensive audit of the BoxNine7, Bazaar London, and AGC BTR ranges within our Master Product Catalogue to assess alignment with our sustainability values and to identify key areas for improvement and goal setting.
ETHICAL
100% of products conform to relevant International Labour Organisation (ILO) policies: our strongest and most consistent attribute.
MADE TO ORDER
67% of our products are made to order, reducing waste and overproduction.
NO PLASTIC FANTASTIC
63% of products use recyclable or reusable packaging, aligning with our waste reduction goals.
KEY PRIORITIES (IMPROVEMENT TARGETS)
01 02 03 04
Assess the viability of introducing reclaimed and recycled “Thoughtful Furniture” lines into our sales packages - leveraging strong performance already seen in our Rental Category.
Increase use of organic materials in textile and upholstery categories.
Expand UK-based production to improve local economy contribution and reduce carbon emissions.
Collaborate with suppliers to increase non-toxic certification and awareness.
HANDCRAFTED (50%) &
FSC TIMBER (61%)
Show our commitment to traditional craftsmanship and sustainable forestry practices.
DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE SUPPLIERS
100% of suppliers meet our diversity and inclusion criteria, another area of significant strength.
CARBON CONSCIOUS
50% of products are supplied by businesses that are carbon neutral or actively working toward it.
05 Continue supplier education and engagement on carbon footprint transparency.
FURNITURE OF THE FUTURE
The Conscious Collection
This ‘Conscious Collection’ has been designed by us, Britain’s first B Corp™ certified interior design collective. It isn’t labelled the ‘sustainability’ collection for a very good reason. You see we’re not 100% sustainable, and that’s a fact. But we’re on our journey towards a more sustainable design future, and so we’re conscious of our every step.
“My fabric is made from recycled plastic”
“My components are carbon neutral”
“I’m made of FSC wood and my fabric is made from recycled plastic” AS SEEN IN KOA, POWERBATTERSEA STATION
“For
every purchase of me a tree is planted”
AS SEEN IN THE ARC DEVELOPMENT
“We’re made with sustainably sourced materials”
“My slats are made from recycled Carlsberg beer kegs and I am fully recyclable at the end of my life”
AS SEEN IN ONEQUAYTHAMES
ADVOCATE EQUAL AND RESPECTFUL WORKING CONDITIONS
OUR PLEDGE
EDUCATION AND EMPOWERMENT
We are passionate about nurturing future talent in interior design by engaging with schools and colleges to raise awareness of career opportunities. Through mentoring, apprenticeships, and collaborations we aim to foster inclusivity and accessibility for all aspiring creatives.
Following our internal DEI survey and continued progress on our B CorpTM journey, we recognised the importance of updating our manifesto to reflect what truly matters to our team - in a more detailed and meaningful way.
We’re proud to have relaunched our pledge, shaped by the voices of our people and designed to align with our broader sustainability manifesto. Moving forward, the DEI team will be aligning their strategies with these shared goals to ensure consistency, impact, and lasting change.
DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE RECRUITMENT
We are committed to building a diverse team that reflects the richness of society with equitable and opportunity-rich recruitment. Through strategic and charitable partnerships we will promote inclusivity and offer apprenticeships and internships to individuals who have felt excluded from the industry.
FAIR AND EQUITABLE WORKPLACE
We strive to create an environment where every team member feels valued, respected, and heard. By embracing flexible working arrangements, fair parental leave, and maintaining a zero-tolerance policy toward bullying and harassment, we ensure our workplace is equitable and supportive for all. We commit to closing the gender pay gap and promote equity and full representation internally and across the sector.
INDUSTRY ADVOCACY AND EQUITY
As advocates for positive change, we collaborate with our industry peers, to address disparities and promote equal opportunities and pathways. We are committed to transparently sharing its progress, fostering inclusivity, and driving meaningful change for a more equitable future for all.
RESPONSIBLE DESIGN
Designing with Impact: We are dedicated to building a supply chain that upholds human rights and labour laws, seeking transparency that all workers are paid a minimum wage.
Our commitment to ethical practices extends to our supply chain, where we continually work to diversify our chosen suppliers and artisans. By promoting equity and inclusion, we celebrate a wide range of voices in design.
COMMUNITY
We commit to donating a minimum of 2% of our profits each financial year. Profits are split between three charities, one of which is the British Red Cross and the other two will be nominated & voted for annually by our team.
CHARITY
CIRCULARITY
We are dedicated to reusing and repairing our products and extending their life cycles. Any furniture that reaches the end of its usefulness will find a new purpose through donation to the British Red Cross or our education partner at The University of The Arts. Where the item cannot be accepted by these initiatives, we aim to avoid landfill through our recycling partners who have a 0 to landfill mission; they even turn waste into energy which gives us peace of mind.
At AGC, we believe in the power of kindness, and we realise what a privilege it is to be able to use the powers of our business to create a positive impact on society.
CHARITY CHALLENGE SUPPORT
If an AGC crew member is participating in a charitable challenge or initiative, AGC will match the donations that AGC employees have collectively donated to this cause.
CHARITABLE HOURS
CHARITABLE HOURS
Every AGC crew member receives 24 charitable hours each year to dedicate to raising money and awareness for their chosen charities.
WHO ARE THE ACCOUTER GROUP OF COMPANIES?
AGC is Britain’s first B CorpTM certified interior design collective with a portfolio of international award winning interior design brands.
The Accouter Group of Companies which is home to Accouter, A.LONDON, BoxNine7, AGC BTR, Bazaar and SWAG, deliver world-class interior architectural design and furnishings to the global property market, private clients and consumer market.
In 2021, Accouter Group of Companies announced their membership with Walpole alongside Britain’s leading luxury brands.
