CITMA prioritises sustainability, achieving carbon neutral status for another year

19th Aug 2024

CITMA has been awarded carbon neutral status for 2023, demonstrating our commitment to being net zero within the next few years.

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The Certified Carbon Neutral Association status is awarded by Climate Action for Associations (CAFA) and recognises the measurement, reporting and offsetting of our recorded emissions in 2023, as well as acknowledging the additional measures we’ve already implemented.

Offsetting emissions

We recorded 20 tonnes of carbon emissions as a direct result of our activities in 2023, with our largest source of emissions coming from business travel. Through Carbon Footprint Ltd we have offset these emissions, investing in the Global Portfolio scheme which supports a range of carbon reduction projects across the world. Many are within developing countries, where they also provide additional social benefits.

Greening our supply chain

To ensure that emissions remain low, we have a range of sustainability practices in place. In 2023, it was essential that we took this further by targeting our supply chain’s carbon emissions, a key part of our pathway to becoming net zero. We contacted our main suppliers informing them of our commitment to being net zero, including contacting our office managing agents to gather data on energy usage and procedures.  

Future steps in sustainability

Looking ahead, our events and use of technology will form a large part of our focus.

Some of the steps we aim to take include prioritising venues which are net zero and considering the access to public transport for every venue. While not carbon-free, we will also continue to offer online events where appropriate to cut down on travel, catering and physical consumable resources to run.

Globally, technology is a big contributor to carbon emissions, and it will also be important to work with our suppliers in this area.

Empowering members to embrace Net Zero

Additionally, we will soon be launching our net zero knowledge hub and pledge, which will become a key initiative for 2024. The pledge represents a public commitment to sustainability, allowing our members to stand united in their dedication to climate action.

Alongside this, the online knowledge hub will share best practice, provide resources and support our members on their net zero journeys.

Richard Hayward, CITMA Head of PR & Communications, said: “We are delighted to once again receive carbon neutral status, and to maintain this achievement year-on-year demonstrates our strong commitment to long-term thinking and responsibility.

“We have already implemented actions to target and reduce our biggest emission sources and look forward to seeing the results in next year’s report. We are also excited to launch our net zero knowledge hub and pledge next month, available for both individuals and firms. With this, we aim to empower every member of our profession to play their part in creating a sustainable future.

“Already many firms have taken commendable steps towards sustainability, and we’d like to take this opportunity to celebrate those that are paving the way.”

Ali Heppenstall, Executive Director of CAFA, said: “CAFA recognises CITMA's significant progress and commitment to science-based targets and adopting a robust transition plan. Over the past two years, we have observed excellent practices implemented by the CITMA team. Keep up the great work, CITMA! We look forward to continuing our collaboration in year three of your climate action strategy.”