We recognise the importance of sustainability in ensuring a healthier planet for future generations and are committed to taking the necessary steps to minimise our environmental impact. This policy outlines our sustainability commitments and the actions we are taking to meet them.
We have committed through the SME Climate Hub to halve our greenhouse gas emissions before 2030 and achieve Net Zero emissions by 2050. To meet these targets, we are implementing carbon accounting practices to measure, monitor and systematically reduce our emissions across all areas of our business. Additionally, we have switched to 100% green energy suppliers and installed energy-efficient LED lighting with motion sensors across our facilities to reduce unnecessary energy use.
2. Staff Engagement, Education and Support
We are committed to providing Carbon Literacy Training to ensure everyone in our organisation understands the importance of sustainability and has the knowledge to make informed decisions that contribute to our business-wide climate goals. Our training course has been accredited by the Carbon Literacy Project and we aim to become a Bronze Level Carbon Literate Organisation in early 2025.
An accredited Living Wage employer, we support the wellbeing of our team, encouraging a healthy lifestyle with good work/life balance. Initiatives such as our Electric Vehicle Scheme, Cycle to Work Scheme and the Normans Run Club promote a healthy and sustainable lifestyle.
3. Sustainable Operations
By calculating and monitoring our carbon emissions, through our partnership with Positive Planet, we can gradually reduce them to meet our pledges. We are identifying key areas throughout our operations where we can make impactful changes to improve the sustainability of our processes and limit our environmental impact. Initiatives include minimising waste, adopting a digital-first approach to reduce paper use and implementing sustainable packaging solutions. Our internal ‘green team’ drives these efforts, including improving recycling practices and reducing single-use plastics.
4. Responsible Supply Chain Management
We are working proactively with our suppliers to reduce emissions within our supply chain. By choosing partners who share our commitment to sustainability, we aim to amplify our impact beyond our own operations. This includes working with manufacturers to adopt sustainable materials and packaging and sourcing from ISO 14001 certified companies where possible. For example, we have replaced plastic packaging in many of our products with sustainable alternatives such as Sydney paper and cardboard-based solutions.
5. Recycling and Waste Reduction
We are committed to reducing waste through initiatives such as our ReTune Instrument Recycling Scheme, which collects, refurbishes and repurposes unused musical instruments. Surplus funds from this initiative are donated to Earthly.org or used to support other Sustainability initiatives within the Music Education sector.
Our waste cardboard is compacted and processed locally and we ensure responsible disposal of IT equipment through certified recycling programmes. By adopting these practices, we are reducing the environmental impact of our operations.
6. Investment in Nature-Based Solutions
In addition to reducing our own emissions, we have partnered with Earthly.org to support and invest in nature-based solutions that remove carbon, restore biodiversity and enhance the livelihoods of communities. Our contributions to date have included funding regenerative farming projects in Tanzania, kelp farms in the UK and reforestation efforts in Peru. This partnership reflects our belief that sustainability is not just about reducing our impact but also about actively contributing to the regeneration of our planet.
7. Continuous Improvement
We understand that sustainability is a journey and regularly review and update our practices, setting new goals as we progress. By integrating sustainability into every aspect of our business, we can make a meaningful contribution to the global effort to combat climate change while ensuring the long-term success of our company and the well-being of our planet.
