ENVIRONMENT

Our Ambitions

To meet the requirements of climate science, we have set out a Net Zero strategy.

We have set an ambition to achieve Net Zero by 2045. We have taken the decision that we will:

1. Take meaningful science based action

2. Disclose our performance

3. Be carbon neutral whilst we reduce our emissions

We have set interim 2030 targets to:

• Reduce emissions by 31% in Scope 1

• Remove Scope 2 emissions entirely by adopting a renewable energy policy

• Reduce emissions by 43% in Scope 3

Our actions mean we are supporting society to keep on track for a 1.5°C emissions scenario where we are aiming to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 at the latest (as a society, our target is 5 years earlier).

Our Actions

To deliver on our ambitions, we have taken action. This year we have:

• Supported colleagues in reducing the carbon footprint related to their commute by partnering with Novuna Vehicle Solutions to deliver a salary sacrifice electric vehicle scheme to all colleagues of Markerstudy Group. This was launched group wide on 13/09/22 under the brand of ‘My eDrive’.

• Switched to 100% renewable energy, group-wide.

• Started creating our Green Ambitions ‘Zero Heroes’ taskforce: Being a Zero Hero is integral to helping our organisation reduce our carbon emissions and reach our Net Zero targets. Zero Heroes will be appointed throughout Markerstudy Group, in each department, team or at each site, in order to ensure that they are operated as energy efficiently as possible.

• Continued to deliver on our vision to improve our service to customers. As part of this we’ve:

• Launched a new initiative with our third party supplier, Vizion (Repair Network), called the Green Earth Initiative, which enables our customers to choose to plant a tree rather than take a courtesy hire car during their repair journey.

• Changed process so that we no longer print policy documents as standard; they are all available online (we now provide an option for vulnerable customers to request policy documents in different formats).

• Audited all our group websites and social media platforms to assess their carbon footprint, and have taken appropriate measures to reduce to zero. All new websites are developed as carbon neutral.

Net Zero

Strategic Next Steps

1. Transitioning our fleet – We have a significant fleet across the group, and we’ve begun transitioning to low/zero carbon vehicles.

2. Supply Chain - We are implementing a supply chain sustainability programme to engage and influence our suppliers.

3. Buildings – We intend to remove (as part of our Net Zero strategy) fossil fuel heating systems where possible. We have already moved to renewable electricity.

Neutralise whilst we decarbonise Whilst we reduce our emissions, we will be mitigating our impacts by supporting REDD+ projects. REDD+ is a climate change mitigation solution developed by Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). REDD+ goes beyond simply deforestation and forest degradation and includes conservation and sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks.