4 things we learnt from Rigby Group's first ever group-wide sustainability report

The SCC owner’s net zero target has been brought forward by a whole decade as an SBTi validation is on the way

The Rigby Group has published its first ever group-wide sustainability report and committed to reaching its net zero target a decade earlier.

The 63-page document lays down the SCC owner's goals for this year and reveals its greenhouse gas (GHG) slashing achievements since 2020.

The Rigby Group currently boasts a headcount of 8,500 people across nine countries.

It generates an annual turnover of just under £4bn, of which SCC accounts for £3.29bn.

"This was the culmination of 12 months of work that began with a detailed materiality and maturity assessment to establish our priorities and develop a framework that works for us and for our stakeholders," said Rigby Group co-CEO Steve Rigby (pictured).

"Though the task that lies ahead is complicated, our longstanding family values, ethos of acting ethically, and tenacity for tackling challenges provide a firm foundation for the Group's success in this endeavour."

Here are four things CRN learned from its inaugural sustainability report.

GHG emissions are shrinking

Rigby Group has been slashing GHG emissions like Tesco slashes prices with a 32 per cent reduction since 2020.

Breaking down Scope 1, the group has decreased emissions from combustion of gas (tCO2e) by 11.7 per cent from FY20 to FY23.

Emissions from combustion of fuel for transport purposes (tCO2e) were also cut 25.4 per cent.

Looking at Scope 2, emissions from purchased electricity (tCO2e) shrank 38.5 per cent over the three-year period.

Total Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions have fallen 33 per cent since 2020 across the group.

Finally, looking up the tallest emissions mountain to climb, Scope 3, Rigby Group reduced its emissions from business travel in rental cars or employee-owned vehicles where the company is responsible for purchasing the fuel (tCO2e) by 25 per cent.

Project Sequoia - Net zero by 2040

To deliver its sustainability commitment, in 2023 Rigby Group developed its sustainability strategy, Project Sequoia.

By the end of the project, Rigby Group hopes to transition to a business model that ensures its products and services meet sustainable needs today and tomorrow, creating and protecting long term value.

The strategy is underpinned by four key pillars with separate targets: Planet, People, Prosperity and Principles.

The first pillar focuses on energy, GHG emissions, resource circularity, and water and nature.

Its main goals are to achieve net zero GHG emissions by 2040, a decade ahead of its previous target 2050.

By 2024, Rigby Group also aims to set SBTi-validated emissions reduction targets and improve CDP climate module Grade C for SCC.

Big steps taken for flagship SCC datacentres

This year, the group purchased 100 per cent renewable REGO-backed electricity and installed solar panels at its flagship SCC datacentre, among other efforts that have reduced Rigby's Scope 2 emissions by 39 per cent since 2020.

The Birmingham datacentre has also been kitted out with solar-photovoltaic panels that will avoid ~124 tonnes of CO2e per year.

Steve Rigby Rigby Group's Esg Strategy

Video credit: Rigby Group

"SCC has made significant progress over the last year. This includes installing a 749kWe roof-mounted solar-photovoltaics (PV) system on our flagship Birmingham datacentre that will avoid approximately 124 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) per year," the group said in a statement.

"Ongoing work to improve datacentre efficiency has reduced power consumption for cooling by nearly 70 per cent.

"As a result, SCC attained a level C "awareness-level engagement" score from the CDP — a not-for-profit charity that operates a global voluntary carbon disclosure system — a year ahead of schedule. They are now on track to attain level B "environmental management" in FY24."

New face of sustainability

Taking the reins of Project Sequoia is Rigby Group's fresh head of sustainability Paul Southall.

He will be supported by the group's Divisional Sustainability Committees to ensure the project receives "sufficient focus."

"As Rigby Group's head of sustainability, I am profoundly optimistic about the transformative impact we can achieve through collaboration, determination, and a focus on sustainable businesses," Southall said.