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What Do Your Scope 3 Emissions Have to Do with Inflation? Scope 3 emissions cover everything outside your direct operations —the carbon footprint of your supply chain, purchased goods, logistics, business travel, and more. The higher your Scope 3 emissions, the more energy-intensive your supply chain is. And the more energy-intensive your supply chain, the more vulnerable you are to rising costs. Think of it this way: High Production Costs- If your suppliers are heavily dependent on fossil fuels, their production costs are rising fast. Price Volatility- If your supply chain lacks efficiency and resilience, price volatility will hit you harder. Locking in High Costs- If you’re not actively engaging with suppliers to reduce emissions, you’re locking in long-term cost increases that could have been avoided. Without accurate Scope 3 data and a clear engagement strategy , businesses are leaving themselves open to higher prices, lower margins, and greater financial risk . Why Businesses Struggle to Tackle This A major challenge is that Procurement and Sustainability teams often operate in silos: Procurement teams focus on cost and supplier relationships but often lack deep sustainability expertise. Sustainability teams focus on compliance and decarbonisation but aren’t typically measured on financial performance. This disconnect means emissions reduction is rarely treated as a financial opportunity —when in reality, cutting carbon from your supply chain is also one of the most effective ways to reduce exposure to cost inflation. The Businesses That Get This Right Will Win Leading organisations are already taking action. They are: Gathering detailed Scope 3 emissions data to map out cost risks in their supply chain. Engaging suppliers to drive efficiency, reduce emissions, and lower costs. Building resilience by shifting towards lower-carbon, more cost-stable alternatives. The result? Lower long-term costs, reduced financial risk, and a competitive edge over those stuck with inefficient supply chains. This is not just about sustainability compliance —it’s about smart financial decision-making. If You’re Not Taking Action, You’re Losing Money Every business will feel the impact of rising supply chain costs—but not every business will be prepared for them. If you don’t have accurate Scope 3 emissions data and an effective engagement strategy, you are: Paying more than you need to for essential goods and services. Exposing your business to long-term cost inflation. Missing out on opportunities to build a stronger, more resilient supply chain. The sooner you act, the better—for your bottom line and for the planet. Is your business ready to take control of its costs? Get in touch today.

In 2023, the UK Government announced plans to introduce a carbon border tax from 2027, known as the UK Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (UK CBAM). This policy aims to prevent carbon leakage (the practice of shifting emissions-intensive production to countries with weaker climate policies) by ensuring that imported goods are subject to a comparable carbon price as those produced domestically under the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS). Ultimately, the goal is to drive global reductions in industrial emissions and support the transition to a low-carbon economy. What is the UK CBAM? The UK CBAM will apply to imported goods in emissions-intensive industries. Starting in 2027, businesses importing iron, steel, aluminium, ceramics, cement, fertilisers, glass and hydrogen into the UK will be required to: Mandatory Disclosures: Submit reports detailing the carbon emissions embedded in their products (embodied carbon). The UK CBAM will require reporting to detail the Scope 1 (direct emissions from production), Scope 2 (indirect emissions from purchased electricity), and select precursor product emissions embodied in imported products. Levy Payments: Pay a levy based on the carbon pricing of the exporting country. If the exporting country has little to no carbon pricing, UK importers will be subject to a higher tax rate. This initiative encourages businesses to source materials from suppliers with strong carbon policies, incentivising sustainable production methods. How Will it Work? The UK CBAM will require importers to report and pay for the emissions embedded in their products at the UK ETS carbon price. If a foreign producer has already paid a carbon price in the country of manufacture, this may be deducted from the payment charge under UK CBAM to avoid double taxation. The UK Government has proposed to have four accounting periods per year to align with the standard practices used by other taxes. How Does the UK CBAM Differ from the EU CBAM? While both mechanisms share the same overarching objectives, there are key differences: Scope of Products : The EU CBAM applies to cement, iron, steel, aluminium, fertilisers, electricity and hydrogen, whereas the UK CBAM excludes electricity imports but also applies to additional products, such as ceramics and glass Implementation Timeline : The EU CBAM has already begun its transitional phase (October 1, 2023), requiring emissions reporting, with full financial enforcement starting in 2026. The UK CBAM, however, will take effect in 2027. What Can Businesses Do to Prepare? To limit exposure and ensure compliance with UK CBAM, businesses should take the following steps: Assess Supply Chains: Assess your exposure to UK CBAM by reviewing your suppliers to understand where imported products and materials are being manufactured and their carbon intensity. Identify other suppliers with lower-carbon intensities. Engage Key Suppliers: Work with your suppliers to encourage the adoption of low-carbon technologies and practices that will reduce the carbon intensity of manufactured materials. Consider switching suppliers and sourcing materials from UK-based companies that already comply with UK ETS, to reduce exposure. Comprehensive Emissions Reporting: Ensure you have sufficient emissions accounting and reporting practices in place, to minimise disruption caused by mandatory reporting. We recommend businesses understand their Scope 1, 2 & 3 emissions to identify high-impact activities and inefficiencies within their operations and their supply-chain. How We Can Help edenseven is a sustainability consultancy with a proven track record in designing and delivering data-driven sustainability strategies. Our cloud-based carbon accounting and management platform, cero.earth , simplifies compliance and reporting for businesses of all sizes. Why Choose cero.earth? Regulatory Compliance: Aligns with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (Scope 1, 2 & 3) to ensure accurate and compliant carbon reporting. Expert Support: Backed by a team of analysts who guide you through the process, making compliance straightforward. Seamless Data Integration: Easily upload and export data in required formats with our integrated report building tools, for effortless reporting and disclosure. Enhanced Credibility: Track and disclose detailed emissions data to investors and stakeholders with confidence, ensuring enhanced credibility. Reduce Costs: cero.earth identifies high emissions sources and inefficiencies within your operations and supply chain, enabling you to make informed decisions about where to implement impactful change, saving you cost with CBAM and ongoing operations. Net Zero Project Tracking: Design, implement and track your carbon-reduction projects and leverage our Net Zero Carbon (NZC) dashboard to visualize your pathway to Net Zero and set strategic carbon reduction targets. Flexible Packages: cero.earth offers tailored packages to suit all businesses. For businesses seeking a hands-off experience, our Strategic package allows us to handle the entire carbon accounting and compliance process on your behalf, ensuring a seamless and fully managed approach, allowing you to focus on what you do best. Prepare Your Business for the Future With the UK CBAM on the horizon, businesses must take proactive steps to manage their carbon impact and ensure compliance. cero.earth by edenseven, provides the tools and expertise needed to navigate these changes with ease. Start your journey towards sustainable and compliant operations today. Get in touch today to learn more about how we can support your transition and comply with the latest sustainability regulations.

Over the last few decades, carbon offsetting has become a go-to strategy for businesses looking to demonstrate sustainability commitments and enhance their external credibility. Offsetting takes many forms, from tree planting and forest conservation to providing communities with clean cookstoves and renewable energy. However, with a vast number of offset providers offering projects of varying credibility, navigating this landscape can be confusing for businesses and consumers alike. The Problem with Offsetting While carbon offsetting can play a role in broader climate action, it is not a substitute for direct emissions reductions. Protecting and enhancing nature and biodiversity should be seen as complementary to carbon reduction—not a replacement for it. Lack of Additionality - Many offsetting projects do not actually remove additional carbon from the atmosphere beyond what would have happened anyway. Distraction from True Action - Offsetting can divert attention from the urgent need to tackle emissions at the source, delaying meaningful business-wide carbon reductions. Regulatory and Reputational Risks - The EU is set to ban terms like "climate/carbon neutral" or "climate positive" based on offsetting from 2026, increasing the risk of greenwashing accusations for businesses wishing to claim climate positives from offsetting projects. Several large companies have already rolled back offset-based sustainability claims after using unreliable carbon offsets. Should you Avoid Offsetting Entirely? Not necessarily. High-quality carbon offsets can still be a useful tool to support broader sustainability efforts, and often provide social benefits, while supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, they should only come after a business has taken concrete steps to measure and reduce emissions. The Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi), a leading assessor of corporate science-based Net Zero targets, only permits the offsetting of residual, unavoidable emissions (less than 10% of a company's total emissions) after all other feasible reduction measures have been implemented. This further highlights the importance of prioritsing direct emissions reductions before considering any forms of offsetting. Before investing in offsets, ensure you: Measure Your Carbon Footprint - This should include Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, to provide a full picture of your environmental impact. Without this data, you are unable to make informed carbon reductions. Develop a Robust Carbon Reduction Plan - Your plan should cover Scope 1, 2 and 3, align with the goals of the Paris Agreement, and set ambitious reduction targets. Take Action and Track Progress - Implement emissions reduction initiatives and continuously monitor progress towards Net Zero. If your business meets these criteria, investing in credible, high-quality offsetting schemes can be an additional way to contribute to climate action. However, if these foundational steps are not in place, offsetting alone is not the answer for your business - it does little to drive real change. What We Offer At edenseven, we help businesses design and implement data-driven sustainability strategies that prioritise real emissions reductions. Our cloud-based platform, cero.earth , simplifies carbon accounting and management, ensuring compliance with climate regulations and providing a clear roadmap to Net Zero. With expert guidance from edenseven, your business can avoid greenwashing pitfalls and take meaningful action to cut emissions, comply with regulations, ensure credibility with stakeholders, and reduce costs. Want to build a credible, impactful sustainability strategy? Get in touch today.

Contributing Authors: Pete Nisbet, Alejandro Navarro, Craig Cheney In their 2020 report, the Climate Change Committee emphasised the importance of local authorities in national decarbonisation efforts and the UK’s journey to net zero. Quoting the capacity to impact roughly one third of UK emissions, the report highlighted the significant remit of local authorities, including local transport, social housing, and waste, as well as their influence over local businesses and communities. Unlike private entities and businesses – which also contribute significantly to UK emissions yet often exhibit limited willingness to respond* – local authorities have demonstrated a clear commitment to addressing climate change. Out of 394 local authorities, 327 have declared a climate emergency, with 114 setting net-zero targets and 280 developing actionable plans. This highlights the readiness of local authorities to act; however, translating this enthusiasm into meaningful outcomes requires clearer direction and support from central government. While the new government has shown a willingness to address these challenges, the reality is that news policies and funding mechanisms take time to develop and implement. Bridging this gap between ambition and action will be crucial to unlocking the full potential of local authorities in driving the UK’s net-zero agenda. One stand-out and wide-reaching solution to this is climate technology . With the ability to process data more effectively, identify problems faster, and test solutions virtually, technology provides an efficient, transformative vessel for decarbonisation and net zero strategies. In a recent survey, 40% of senior executives said they believe that digital technologies are already having a positive impact on their sustainability goals. And, with the ability to initiate significant carbon reductions across energy, materials, and mobility, and save money at the same time, climate tech has the potential to provide the public sector with the resources it needs toward net zero. *According to our recent analysis of the FTSE 250, 41% of the FTSE 250 do not have a net zero target, and those who do have delayed it by an average of 13 months.

Mawdsleys signs a long-term agreement to use edenseven’s market-leading carbon reporting and management platform, cero.earth, to monitor all emissions and programmes of work to reach net zero . Mawdsleys is the UK’s largest independent pharmaceutical distributor. Established nearly 200 years ago, they have a fast-growing international network supplying medicines to meet patient needs and providing a route to market for manufacturers. Mawdsleys has signed a long term agreement with edenseven to use their carbon accounting and management platform, cero.earth. Built by edenseven, cero.earth is a cloud-based carbon accounting and management platform that provides businesses with a complete view of their emissions and decarbonisation plan. Using a dynamic view of all three emissions scopes, cero.earth provides a clear understanding of the current position against net zero targets and allows for the proactive monitoring of both current and planned projects. With a need to monitor and decarbonise operations at pace, Mawdsleys will leverage cero.earth to assess their current sustainability targets and produce a dynamic delivery plan to eradicate emissions permanently from their supply chain. Pete Nisbet, Managing Partner of edenseven, said: “We continue to evolve cero.earth to make sure we are providing our customers with the tools to dynamically monitor their decarbonisation programmes in a clear and practical manner. We are very excited to be working with Mawdsleys and are certain that, by embedding cero.earth into their net zero deliver plan, we can collectively make significant quantifiable environmental and financial gains.” William Sanders, CEO of Mawdsleys, commented; “Mawdsleys are leading the way in our sector, working towards net zero. Investment into thousands of solar panels and cutting edge battery storage technology, as well as operating electric vehicles, up to and including an HGV, makes edenseven the perfect partner to assist monitoring our decarbonisation plans. Mawdsleys are a key part of the healthcare system, delivering critical medicines to hospitals every day, so utilising cero.earth will help us maintain and enhance our position in the NHS Evergreen benchmarking assessment.” 

Thames Freeport is a unique initiative designed to stimulate trade and innovation and transform the lives of people in its region, leveraging global connectivity to over 130 ports in 65 countries. Occupying a strategic position with intermodal capabilities across river, rail, and road, Thames Freeport has recognised its opportunity to achieve social good, and has demonstrated an active commitment to advancing decarbonisation and fostering a circular economy. Thames Freeport is emerging as a hub for clean energy technologies, advanced logistics, and value-added manufacturing. Special Economic Zones (SEZs) such as the Thames Freeport are uniquely positioned to drive decarbonisation. By clustering industries and research institutions, SEZs enable collaboration on sustainable practices and green technology development. This concentration accelerates the adoption of renewable energy sources, smart grids, and circular economy practices. 

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 3 November 2024 New Report Highlights “Alarmingly Poor” Response of FTSE250 Companies to Climate Crisis 7% rise in carbon emissions as business growth outpaced effective environmental action 41% of businesses do not have a net zero target date 20% of businesses failing to report Scope 3 emissions Average net zero target date extended by 13 months

The Impact of Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) on Commercial Properties As of 2023, commercial properties in England and Wales are required to meet a minimum EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) rating of 'E.' By 2027, this will rise to 'C,' and by 2030, it will further increase to a 'B.' Currently, around 80% of UK commercial properties fall below the 'B' rating, leaving landlords and businesses vulnerable to significant risks. Non-compliance could result in fines of up to £150,000 per non-compliant letting, as well as reputational damage that could affect your brand's standing. Why Retrofitting Is Crucial Approximately 80% of the buildings that will exist in the UK by 2050 have already been built. This means that in order to meet the country’s Net Zero target by 2050, the existing building stock needs to undergo rapid retrofitting. Effective retrofitting measures include improved insulation, efficient HVAC systems, heat pump installations, intelligent building management systems (BMS), energy-efficient LEDs, water and waste reduction strategies, and the integration of renewable energy solutions. Retrofitting not only boosts energy efficiency but also ensures compliance with rising environmental standards. The Rise of Green Leases Green leases are becoming increasingly prevalent in commercial property agreements. These leases often include sustainability clauses that outline both landlord and tenant responsibilities for reducing environmental impact. Common requirements may include sharing utility data, improving EPC ratings, adopting sustainable waste and water management practices, and using eco-friendly materials during retrofitting and repairs. Importantly, some green lease clauses are legally binding, and non-compliance could lead to the termination of tenancy agreements. Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Requirements From February 2024, the Environment Act 2021 mandates that new developments in England must demonstrate a 10% increase in biodiversity compared to the pre-development baseline. To meet these requirements, developers must follow DEFRA’s biodiversity metric for assessing biodiversity gains. This change further reinforces the need for sustainability in the built environment and emphasises the role businesses play in preserving ecosystems. Rising Demand and Increasing Rent Prices As demand for energy-efficient commercial properties rises, rental prices are likely to follow suit. Tenants may face higher rent costs, but the trade-off comes in the form of reduced utility bills due to better energy efficiency. This shift makes high-efficiency properties not only a more sustainable choice but also a financially sensible one in the long term. How edenseven Can Help At edenseven , we specialise in helping businesses navigate the complexities of sustainability with data-driven strategies. With a proven track record in delivering successful sustainability initiatives, our experts are equipped to support you across a wide range of areas—from biodiversity and nature-based solutions to electric vehicle fleet integration, power purchase agreements (PPAs), low-carbon technologies, building optimisation, and comprehensive business transformation.  Our team is ready to guide you through the steps required to enhance your sustainability efforts, ensuring that you take meaningful action to cut emissions, comply with regulations, ensure credibility with stakeholders, and reduce costs. Interested in learning more? Get in touch today and let’s discuss how we can support your sustainability journey.