Our positive impact

The Aldersgate Group integrates environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles into our core operations and external engagement. Our work is guided by a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, rigorous monitoring and reporting of carbon emissions, and transparent governance practices. We recognise that effective ESG delivery requires measurable action. We therefore align our organisational policies with internationally accepted standards, set clear reduction targets, and participate in sector-wide initiatives to advance diversity and sustainability. Through this approach, we aim to demonstrate accountability, support systemic change, and contribute to the transition to a net zero and inclusive economy.

Our values

The Aldersgate Group believes the core driver of change is collaboration. Our effectiveness is built on commitment and pragmatic insight. We value kindness and inclusivity in everything we do.

Committed to equity, diversity and inclusion

The Aldersgate Group is committed to promoting Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in all aspects of our organisation. We recognise that a diverse and inclusive environment is essential for fostering creativity, innovation and sustainability, as well as a rewarding workplace experience. Our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy aims to cultivate a culture that values and respects the unique perspectives, experiences and identities of all individuals within our community and beyond, and is revisited regularly. Aldersgate Group is proud to have committed to the Diverse Sustainability Initiative public pledge to improve and promote diversity.

Furthermore, we have committed to the Route Map Towards Greater Ethnic Diversity in the Environment Sector, with the aim to create a more ethnically diverse and inclusive environment movement. Together with other organisations who are following the Route Map, we are united in our conviction that change is necessary. We intend to create a more inclusive culture and more inclusive ways of working, to address racism and barriers to progress for people of colour, and to increase our ethnic diversity. We are determined to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to be part of our vital environmental mission.

We are pleased to share we are a signatory of the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter. We know that ethnic minorities still face significant disparities in employment and progression, and that is something we need to change. The Charter is composed of seven calls to action for leaders and organisations across all sectors. We signed up to taking practical steps to ensure workplaces are tackling barriers that Black, Asian, Mixed Raced and other ethnically diverse face in recruitment and progression and that their organisations are representative of British society today.

Reducing, monitoring and reporting our carbon emissions

Since 2011, Aldersgate Group has voluntarily monitored and reported on the climate and environmental impacts arising from the Secretariat carrying out its business across scopes 1, 2 and 3. We are proud to be an official Accelerator to the Race to Zero Campaign, a UN-backed global campaign to rally leadership and support from businesses, cities, regions and investors for a healthy, resilient, zero carbon recovery that prevents future threats, creates decent jobs and unlocks inclusive, sustainable growth.

Aldersgate Group is committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. This includes an interim target of a 50% reduction in emissions by 2030, in line with the Race to Zero Campaign. In FY2023-24 we re-baselined our emissions data using internationally accepted reporting standards, so the specific target will be for a 50% reduction between financial years 2023-24 and 2030-31. See our carbon reduction plan below:

Carbon reduction plan 2025-2030

As a small organisation, reporting carbon emissions is a significant undertaking, but we believe this reporting helps us to better understand the challenges associated with identifying sources of emissions and the barriers to producing high-quality reporting faced by our members, such as data gaps and changes to methodological processes. We are able to utilise this understanding when developing our policy recommendations, to ensure any polices implemented will spur action in a realistic and achievable way.

We have begun to identify opportunities for carbon emissions reductions and altered our business operations accordingly. For example, we have already minimised meetings-related travel by switching to online where appropriate, and have moved offices to be based within the Sustainable Ventures climate hub in County Hall, just opposite Westminster, where a lot of our in-person meetings take place. We have created a sustainable procurement policy and continue to engage with our team and suppliers on making sustainable choices.

Additionally, the Aldersgate Group is proud to be a Sustainable Travel Employer. This means that we will give employees up to four days’ paid travel time a year if they elect to travel to their holiday destinations via land or sea rather than via air.

We are also members of Cyclescheme, encouraging our staff to travel to the workplace in an environmentally friendly way.