As we embark on the exciting journey outlined in our strategic plan, one goal may seem particularly challenging – achieving carbon neutrality by 2030. This isn’t just about ticking a box or following a trend; it’s about ensuring that our organisation does everything possible to safeguard the future for the children and young people we serve. The planet they inherit should be one where they can thrive, and we have the power to help make that happen.

Before we dive into how each of us can contribute, I want to share a fantastic example of what’s possible when we prioritise sustainability. Recently, we relocated one of our children’s homes on the Isle of Man to a brand-new eco-friendly residence. This isn’t just any home—it’s a fully off-grid, fossil-fuel-free haven!

The home boasts 14 solar panels that generate 8 KW of energy, powering an air source heat pump that takes care of all the heating and hot water needs. Every inch of this six-bedroom, five-bathroom home is designed with the latest in energy-efficient materials, including top-notch insulation. The owner and designer, who has always dreamt of building an eco-home, is thrilled to partner with us and sees this as a long-term commitment to St Christopher’s.

This special home is a safe, secure, and nurturing environment for up to four young people, with ample communal and garden space for them to enjoy. With our dedicated staff on hand, we’re confident that the children will continue to flourish in this sustainable setting.

While this newer property is a fantastic step forward, our journey to carbon neutrality doesn’t end there. We need to adapt and evolve practices within our existing portfolio of properties and are already taking steps on this journey.

ESOS (Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme) is a mandatory energy assessment for large UK organizations, aimed at identifying cost-effective ways to reduce energy consumption. We’ve audited our energy use across buildings, processes, and transport, pinpointing key areas for improvement. By implementing the ESOS recommendations in the UK, we can cut wasteful energy use, achieve significant cost savings, and, crucially, reduce our carbon emissions. ESOS will be the primary measurement tool in our journey to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030, helping us make impactful changes across the organisation.

But not all the changes are about installing solar panels or ground heat pumps.  Even the small things we do daily can make big changes and this is something that requires every one of our staff members and supporters to adopt, across all our sites.

Below are a few example of simple but impactful ways all can help shift the needle:

1. Switch Off: Whenever leaving a room, make it a habit to turn off the lights, computers, and other electrical devices. It might seem small, but these actions add up over time.
2. Avoid Food Waste: Planning meals carefully in our homes and offices to ensure we’re not buying or cooking more than we need. Any surplus food can be shared or stored for later use.
3. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Making use of recycling bins, re-purposing our existing tech and resources and thinking twice before the simple act of printing documents. Can it be read digitally instead? Every sheet of paper saved is a win for the environment.
4. Mind the Heating: Keeping heating at a comfortable, but not excessive level. Throwing on an extra jumper rather than cranking up the thermostat.
5. Water Wisely: Being mindful of water use, whether it’s making sure taps are fully turned off or using water-saving features on dishwashers and washing machines within our properties.
6. Spread the Word: Encouraging those around you, both colleagues and the young people we support, to adopt these eco-friendly habits. Leading by example is one of the best ways to inspire change.

Achieving carbon neutrality is no small feat, but at St Christopher’s, we can make it a reality. The children we care for deserve to grow up in a world that values and protects the environment and their future. By making iterative and thoughtful changes in our daily routines and practices, we’re not just reducing our carbon footprint, we’re setting a powerful example for the next generation.

I thank all of the St Christopher’s community for their commitment and passion as we work towards this vital goal. Every action counts, and I’m confident that with all playing our part, we’ll reach carbon neutrality by 2030.