We’re thrilled to announce that EFG has been honoured with the ‘Progression to Net Zero Business of the Year’ award at the 2023 St Helens Business Awards. This recognition is a testament to our teams unwavering commitment to environmental responsibility, and the positive impact we’re making on our community. In this blog post, we’ll delve into some of the exciting initiatives that lead us to win this prestigious award and what it means to us.
Since 2017, our journey has been guided by a vision set by our Director – a vision that extends beyond the conventional pursuit of profit. It’s about creating a business centred around people, with a purpose that encompasses both profit and a profound responsibility to our planet and society. Our core values reflect this commitment, and we’ve strived to embed a green culture into every aspect of what we do.
One of the key elements that set us apart in the path to net zero is our unwavering commitment to transparency and accountability. For years, we’ve maintained our ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management System Certification. This certification is a testament to our rigorous environmental standards and our continuous efforts to improve our environmental performance.
Our annual Impact Report is another crucial element. It’s not just a report; it’s a promise we make to our customers, partners, and community. We believe that by sharing our progress and challenges openly, we foster trust and accountability. Our Impact Report showcases the tangible results of our dedication to environmental responsibility and sustainability.
We would love for you to have a read here.
We went a step further in our commitment to environmental responsibility by changing our Articles of Association. These legal documents, often seen as dry and technical, now reflect the legacy we want our business to have. They hold us legally responsible for enacting policies and making decisions that benefit all our stakeholders, not just shareholders. Our commitment now extends to our people, supply chain, community, planet, and customers.
Society’s most challenging problems cannot be solved by governments and non-profits alone. We’ve embraced this idea by aligning our business with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Our focus on SDGs 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), 13 (Climate Action), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) reflects our holistic approach to sustainability.
At EFG, we wholeheartedly believe in the transformative power of collaboration. We recognise that we can’t achieve our sustainability goals in isolation. By actively collaborating with an array of stakeholders, including our valued partners, the local community, and our dedicated team of employees, we leverage collective expertise and pooled resources to bring about substantial, meaningful change.
One of the most shining examples of our collaborative approach is our ground breaking partnership with Lancaster University’s Eco-Innovation Hub. Together, we’ve developed an innovative tool specifically designed for calculating the embodied carbon of the products we supply. This innovative tool not only enables us to comprehensively account for our Scope 3 emissions each year but also empowers us to meticulously scrutinise areas where improvements can be made, both in product specification and manufacturing processes.
The potential of this tool is undeniably exciting. We’re not content with keeping it to ourselves; instead, we’re brimming with ambition to share this valuable resource with our entire supply chain and the broader industry. Our goal is to pioneer far-reaching carbon reduction initiatives in the fields of furniture manufacturing and design for the built environment. This collaborative endeavour underscores our commitment to fostering sustainability not just within our own operations but across the entire industry, further advancing our shared vision of a more environmentally responsible future.
Winning the ‘Progression to Net Zero Business of the Year’ award is a significant milestone on our sustainability journey. But it’s not the destination; it’s just one part of a continuous process of learning, adapting, and improving. Our focus remains on creating inspiring furniture and workplace design that drives positive change. We are excited about what the future holds and look forward to what more we can achieve in collaboration with our partners, community, and dedicated team.
Recognition as the ‘Progression to Net Zero Business of the Year’ is a reflection of our commitment to environmental responsibility, and our dedication to making a positive impact on people and the planet. This award is not just an accolade; it’s a testament to our values, collective hard work, and vision for a more sustainable future.
We’re proud of this achievement and eager to continue our journey towards a better, more sustainable world. Thank you to the St Helens Business Awards, St Helens Chambers, St Helens Borough Council and the judging panel for this honour, and to our team and partners for their ongoing dedication to our shared vision.