1. Introduction

Black Horse Care Limited is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and contributing to the global efforts to combat climate change. This Carbon Reduction Plan outlines the steps we will take to measure, reduce, and offset carbon emissions across our operations, while promoting sustainability in our services and day-to-day activities.
Our company’s carbon footprint mainly stems from our vehicle fleet, energy consumption at offices and facilities, waste generation, and the supply chain associated with providing care services. This plan will focus on strategies to reduce carbon emissions across these areas.

2. Company Overview

Black Horse Care Limited provides domiciliary care services, with a focus on delivering high-quality, compassionate care to elderly and vulnerable individuals. Our services include personal care, companionship, housekeeping, and medical assistance. Our operations span multiple locations, and we employ a diverse team of care professionals.

3. Carbon Footprint Assessment

In order to accurately track and measure our emissions, we will conduct a carbon footprint assessment across the following areas:

• Energy Use: Assess energy consumption from heating, cooling, lighting, and power across offices, care homes, and any other company-operated buildings.
• Transportation: Measure emissions from company vehicles used for staff transportation, client visits, and logistics.
• Waste and Recycling: Evaluate waste generated from daily operations and identify potential recycling opportunities.
• Supply Chain: Work with suppliers to understand the carbon footprint of products and services used in care operations.
• Staff Commuting: Gather data on emissions resulting from staff travel to and from work.

4. Carbon Reduction Goals

We are setting clear and measurable targets to reduce our carbon emissions over the next 5 years. These targets will be reviewed annually to ensure that we are on track to meet them:

Short-term (1-2 years):

• Reduce energy consumption by 10% across office facilities and care homes.
• Transition 20% of the vehicle fleet to electric or hybrid vehicles.
• Reduce waste sent to landfill by 25% by improving waste segregation and recycling efforts.

Medium-term (3-5 years):

• Achieve a 30% reduction in energy use.
• Transition 50% of the vehicle fleet to electric or hybrid models.
• Establish a carbon offset program for residual emissions that cannot be eliminated.
• Reduce carbon emissions from the supply chain by engaging suppliers with sustainability initiatives.
• Promote and incentivize low-carbon commuting options for staff (e.g., biking, carpooling, public transport).

5. Action Plan

The following actions will be implemented to reduce carbon emissions across our operations:

Energy Efficiency:

• Install LED lighting and motion sensors to reduce energy use in facilities.
• Upgrade heating and cooling systems to more energy-efficient models.
• Implement smart energy management systems to monitor and control energy usage.
• Encourage the use of renewable energy sources (e.g., solar panels, wind energy).

Transportation:

• Develop a plan to phase out fossil-fuel-powered vehicles, replacing them with electric or hybrid alternatives.
• Encourage staff to adopt sustainable travel options, such as carpooling, cycling, or using public transport.
• Implement telemedicine and remote services where appropriate to reduce the need for travel.
• Waste Management:
• Implement a comprehensive recycling program across all facilities.
• Minimize waste through better procurement practices, reducing packaging, and donating surplus items.
• Engage staff in sustainable waste management practices, including composting where possible.

Supply Chain Sustainability:

• Work with suppliers who share our commitment to sustainability and have clear carbon reduction strategies.
• Implement a preference for locally sourced products to reduce transportation emissions.

Staff Engagement and Training:

• Offer training programs for staff on energy-saving practices, waste management, and sustainable travel.
• Provide incentives for staff who contribute to sustainability efforts, such as rewards for carpooling or using public transport.

Carbon Offsetting:

• Explore carbon offset programs, such as tree planting, renewable energy projects, and reforestation efforts, to neutralize unavoidable emissions.

6. Monitoring and Reporting

To ensure the effectiveness of our carbon reduction plan, we will:

• Implement an internal tracking system to monitor energy consumption, vehicle emissions, and waste generation on a monthly basis.
• Conduct an annual audit to assess progress toward achieving our carbon reduction targets.
• Report our progress internally and externally in our annual sustainability report, highlighting key achievements and areas for improvement.

7. Review and Continuous Improvement

This Carbon Reduction Plan will be reviewed annually to ensure that targets remain relevant and achievable. We will:

• Identify new technologies and methods to further reduce our emissions.
• Continuously evaluate the effectiveness of our initiatives and adjust as necessary.
• Encourage feedback from employees, clients, and stakeholders to identify additional opportunities for carbon reduction.

8. Conclusion

Black Horse Care Limited is dedicated to fostering a more sustainable future through responsible management of our carbon footprint. By implementing this Carbon Reduction Plan, we aim to make a meaningful contribution to reducing our environmental impact while maintaining the high standards of care our clients expect.