We provided a full emissions footprint for National Children’s Bureau and developed a Net Zero pathway to inform the organisation’s strategy, along with recommendations for interventions to achieve its decarbonization target.
National Children’s Bureau (NCB) was founded over 60 years ago to bring together government bodies, professionals, the charity and community sector, and children themselves to improve childhoods across the UK. It encompasses a network of membership groups, including Anti-Bullying Alliance, Research in Practice, Childhood Bereavement Network, Council for Disabled Children, and Schools’ Wellbeing Partnership. NCB is committed to achieving Net Zero emissions by 2045.
We worked with NCB initially to measure the carbon footprint of their Scope 1 and 2 emissions along with a subset of Scope 3 emissions. We developed a Carbon Management Plan that complies with standards for NHS suppliers (PPN 06/21). In a second phase, after NCB acquired Research in Practice, we produced a full carbon baseline covering all emission scopes.
Through a process of data gathering and stakeholder engagement, we reviewed NCB activities to determine their organisational and operational boundary. We developed a full carbon emissions baseline using our in-house modelling tool, EDeM.
We then mapped out a pathway to Net Zero for the NCB that aligns with Science-Based Target initiative guidance. This involves working towards a 42% reduction in total emissions by 2030 and a 90% reduction (with 10% residual emissions offset) by 2045.[1]
We also developed intervention recommendations for each emission source NCB needs to tackle to achieve decarbonization. Each came with its own red-amber-green rating according to the likely costs, its impact on emission reduction, and the level of control or influence NCB has over the source.
National Children’s Bureau is now progressing with initial changes, such as procuring a renewable electricity contract, while putting plans in place for long-term decarbonisation.
NCB said: “A perfect combination of professionalism and enthusiasm. Clarity and timeliness throughout the process. Everyone I worked with was professional, knowledgeable and brought infectious enthusiasm about their work, which inspired us.”
[1] 2024 National Children’s Bureau Carbon Reduction Plan.
