We’re delighted to share our latest carbon management report, which demonstrates not only our ongoing commitment to sustainability but also the practical pathway that other SMEs can follow to begin their own net zero journey. You can view this year’s report and five previous years’ reports via this link. Our carbon reporting is becoming more precise and meaningful as the tools progress and the data collection becomes more accessible via platforms like Trace.
Our Journey: From Measurement to Meaningful Action
Since establishing our carbon baseline in 2020, Triple Bottom Line Accounting has been on a mission to prove that accountancy can be a catalyst for environmental transformation. Our 2024 footprint assessment reveals both our progress and the challenges that lie ahead—insights that are invaluable for any business starting their sustainability journey.
Our 2024 Carbon Footprint at a Glance:
- Total emissions: 56.6 tonnes CO2e
- Carbon intensity: 4.7 tonnes per employee
- 99.7% of our footprint comes from Scope 3 emissions
- Primary emission sources: purchased goods & services (62%) and employee commute (22%)
These figures tell an important story. Like most service-based SMEs, our biggest impact lies in our supply chain and employee-related emissions—areas that require strategic engagement rather than simple operational changes.
Why Every SME Should Start Measuring Now
The regulatory landscape is shifting rapidly. With 46% of organisations already receiving requests for carbon data from customers or tender applications, and new IFRS S2 guidelines (UK SRS) coming into force in the UK in 2026, the question isn’t whether you’ll need to measure your carbon footprint—it’s whether you’ll be prepared when the requests arrive.
The first year of measurement is always the hardest but imagine the positive impact you could make by starting before you’re forced to do so. Remember, every fraction of a degree that the world warms above 1.5°C will have a worse impact on the planet, its wildlife, and human beings. The inverse is also true, so inaction is not an option.
Our Partnership with Trace: Making Carbon Accounting Accessible
After extensive research and testing of various carbon accounting platforms, we chose to partner with Trace because of its remarkable user-friendliness and the expertise of their support team. Trace makes carbon accounting considerably more straightforward by linking your spend data with their platform, letting the software do the heavy lifting.
Key benefits of the Trace platform:
- Integrates seamlessly with Xero and other bookkeeping systems
- Measures emissions against the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol—the global best practice framework
- Provides the foundation for Science Based Targets (SBTi) and TCFD reporting requirements
- Offers increasingly sophisticated options to convert spend data to activity-based data for better accuracy
- Includes employee engagement surveys to involve your whole team in the journey
Our Ambitious Targets: A Roadmap for Real Change
Our 2024 report sets out six specific targets that demonstrate our commitment to meaningful emissions reduction:
- 50% reduction in work-from-home gas emissions by 2030
- 90% reduction in work-from-home electricity emissions by 2030
- 50% reduction in employee commute emissions by 2030
- 90% reduction in purchased goods & services emissions by 2050
- 90% reduction in business travel emissions by 2050
- Net Zero by 2050 through a 90% emissions reduction
These aren’t just aspirational numbers—they’re backed by specific actions we’re already implementing, from helping employees switch to renewable energy at home to developing sustainable supplier policies.
Beyond Offsetting: Our Commitment to Real Impact
Whilst we purchase offsets through our partnership with ‘Make it Wild’ for tree planting and conservation at Covenhope Reserve in Norfolk, we’re clear about our position: we do not claim to be carbon neutral as a result of offsetting. Instead, we claim to be making a small but positive environmental impact through targeted investments in natural carbon sequestration and biodiversity enhancement.
Our team actively engages with our offsetting project, spending time volunteering at the site and planting trees under professional supervision. This hands-on approach ensures our carbon investments create genuine, measurable environmental benefits.
How TBLA Can Support Your Carbon Journey
As a certified Trace partner, we can offer:
Starter Package (from £1,800 + VAT):
- Trace Starter licence (excludes employee engagement survey)
- Up to 8 hours of TBLA support services
- Help with data collection, inventory review, and decarbonisation strategy
Pro Package (from £2,400 + VAT):
- Full Trace Pro licence including employee engagement survey
- Enhanced activity-based and supplier-based measurement capabilities
- Up to 8 hours of TBLA support services
- Additional employee pricing for organisations with 50+ FTE staff
Additional Services:
- Carbon reduction planning workshops (£720/day)
- Carbon literacy training programmes
- Collaborative workshops for senior leaders (2 hours: £600 + VAT)
- Ongoing support at £90/hour or £720/day
The Time to Act is Now
Every business has a role to play in creating a more sustainable future. Whether you’re responding to customer demands, preparing for regulatory requirements, or simply wanting to align your business with your values, measuring your carbon footprint is the essential first step.
The process doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right tools and support, you can transform what might seem like a complex challenge into a strategic advantage that demonstrates your commitment to responsible business practices.
Ready to start your sustainability journey?
Contact Fran Ellington to learn more about our Trace partnership and how we can support your business in measuring and reducing its carbon footprint.
As we like to say: “It won’t cost you the earth, but it might help to save it!”
Watch our recent client webinar: Carbon Reporting for SMEs: why & how will this affect my business?
Download our full 2024 Carbon Management Report to see detailed breakdowns of our emissions, reduction strategies, and lessons learned that could benefit your own sustainability journey.
Fran leads TBLA’s sustainability services and HR function, delivering Net Zero Workshops, decarbonisation and ESG consultancy for SMEs and organisations. She develops and delivers sustainability education across multiple frameworks, notably as tutor for ESTU Global’s Sustainability Manager and Carbon Manager programmes, teaching sustainability managers and leaders from diverse corporate backgrounds. In her dual role at TBLA, she obtained B Corp certification and drives the company’s ongoing ESG momentum, while supporting TBLA’s commitment to environmental and social responsibility through practical sustainability solutions and a focus on inclusive team leadership through the company’s HR function.
