Climate Action Plan 2025-26
Our Purpose
Sussex Impact Pathway exists to help businesses create positive social and environmental impact while building resilient, commercially successful organisations.
Through affordable education, peer learning and collaborative action, we support fairer, healthier and more sustainable local economies across Sussex, London and beyond.
How we run our business is inseparable from the health of the planet and the communities of which we are a part. This Climate Action Plan sets out our commitment to reducing our impact on the climate and the specific steps we will take to do so.
Our Commitment
Our 1.5 degrees commitment
Sussex Impact Pathway recognises the urgent and scientifically established need to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, in line with the Paris Agreement.
We commit to measuring, reducing and taking responsibility for our greenhouse gas emissions, while supporting the global ambition to reach net zero by 2050. We understand that every business, regardless of size, has a role to play, and we accept ours.
Governance and approval
We recognise that this plan will evolve as Sussex Impact Pathway grows. We are committed to continually improving the quality of our data, reducing our operational footprint and increasing the positive environmental impact we create through our work.
This Climate Action Plan has been approved by our Co-Founders Demi Heath and Ella Turner who hold accountability for the delivery of this plan as the owners and leadership team for Sussex Impact Pathway.
This plan will be reviewed and updated annually and published on our website so it is accessible to all stakeholders.
Our Footprint
How we measure our emissions
Sussex impact Pathway measures its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in line with the GHG Protocol Corporate Standard.
Our emissions inventory covers Scope 1 (direct emissions from our own operations), Scope 2 (indirect emissions from purchased energy), and Scope 3 (other indirect emissions across our value chain). Our emissions were calculated by SME Climate Hub Carbon Calculator for the reporting period 2025-2026
What's included and what's left out
We have chosen to publish our current methodology despite its limitations because transparency is more valuable than waiting for perfect data. As a small service-based business, our emissions profile is currently limited and several figures are based on reasonable estimates. Our calculations currently assume:
one full time equivalent employee as both employees work part time
employee commuting based on two return journeys to Brighton each month (24 return journeys per year)
no business travel, as travel costs have not yet been incurred through the company.
Some Scope 3 categories currently rely on standard emission factors rather than supplier-specific data. We recognise these limitations and will improve data quality as our business grows.
Our operational footprint is only one aspect of our environmental impact. As we expand, we anticipate that travel, premises and procurement may become more significant sources of emissions. We are therefore committed to maintaining a low operational footprint while increasing the positive environmental impact we create through our work with businesses and partners.
Our Scope 3 inventory currently includes:
Purchased goods and services (Category 1)
Business travel (Category 6)
Employee commuting (Category 7)
The remaining Scope 3 categories have not been included because they are either not currently material to our service-based business model or sufficient data is not yet available. These exclusions will be reviewed annually as our measurement capability develops.
Our Emissions at a Glance
Scope 1 – direct emissions: 0
Scope 2 – purchased energy: 0
Scope 3 – value chain: 0.7
Total - 0.7 tCO₂e
Baseline year: 2025; Carbon intensity: 0.39 tCO₂e per £1,000 revenue
We recognise that carbon intensity can fluctuate significantly during periods of business growth. We will continue to monitor this indicator alongside our absolute emissions to ensure that growth is not accompanied by disproportionate increases in our environmental impact.
Our Targets
The targets below are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). They cover the actions we will take to reduce our climate impact.
Target 1: Improve the quality of our emissions data
We will implement a comprehensive mileage and business travel recording system by 30 September 2026
Who owns it: Co-Founders.
How we'll measure it: We use SME Climate Hub’s calculator tool to measure carbon output supported by complete travel records and documented calculation assumptions.
Why it's achievable: The systems required are straightforward to implement within our existing operations.
Why it's a priority: Commuting is our largest source of Scope 3 emissions and we recognise that we do not currently capture business travel. Accurate measurement is essential for making informed decisions and setting future reduction targets.
Target 2: Responsible Use of AI
By 30 September 2026 we will introduce a company policy on the responsible use of artificial intelligence for Sussex Impact Pathway.
Who owns it: Co-Founders.
How we'll measure it: Annual review of responsible AI guidance.
Why it's achievable: AI forms part of our everyday work and good practice can be embedded through simple operational guidance.
Why it's a priority: We recognise the growing environmental impacts associated with AI infrastructure, including electricity demand and water consumption used in cooling data centres. The policy will include using AI only where it adds genuine value, avoiding unnecessary duplication of content generation. We will review our policy annually as evidence on the environmental impacts of artificial intelligence continues to develop.
Target 3 – Compensate for unavoidable emissions
Beginning with our 2025–26 reporting year, we will compensate for 100% of our measured residual greenhouse gas emissions through independently verified, high quality carbon removal or offset projects by 31 July following each reporting year.
Who owns it: Co-Founders.
How we'll measure it: Annual emissions inventory and documented evidence of carbon compensation.
Why it's achievable: Our current operational footprint is modest, making full compensation financially accessible.
Why it's a priority: Some emissions are currently unavoidable. Compensating for these emissions complements, but does not replace, our commitment to reduce emissions over time.
How we’ll get there
Stakeholder engagement
Delivering this Climate Action Plan will require collaboration across our business and with the organisations we work alongside. Our Co-Founders are responsible for overseeing delivery and reviewing progress annually. Associates and facilitators will support the day-to-day implementation of relevant actions through shared guidance and good practice.
We routinely assess the environmental impact of all procurement, operational and business decisions. While we recognise the limitations of our influence over key suppliers, we will work with suppliers to encourage lower-carbon procurement decisions wherever practical.
We work with clients and the wider business community through sustainability education, B Corp programmes and practical tools that help them reduce their own environmental impact.
We will continue to learn from the wider B Corp community and other industry partners through collaboration and knowledge sharing, while strengthening partnerships through Sussex Bay to support nature recovery and collective action across our region.
Resources
People
The Co-Founders hold responsibility for delivery of this plan. Time for annual measurement, reporting and implementation is built into operational planning.
Budget
An annual budget will be allocated to cover carbon compensation and implementation of this plan. This will be reviewed annually. In reporting year 2025/26 we allocated a budget of 1% of our turnover to donate to Sussex Bay and £50 to compensate for our measured residual greenhouse gas emissions.
Technical tools
We use the SME Climate Hub Carbon Calculator to measure and monitor greenhouse gas emissions and will review alternative tools as our reporting requirements evolve.
Transparency and reporting
This Climate Action Plan is published on the Sussex Impact Pathway website. We report annually on our emissions and review progress against our targets throughout the year.
We are committed to being transparent about both our achievements and the areas where we need to improve.
Our positive impact
Each year we will continue to support businesses to reduce their environmental impacts through affordable sustainability education, B Corp support, practical tools and collaborative learning.
As a founding member of the Sussex Bay Alliance, we will continue to contribute to collective action supporting blue nature restoration goals of Sussex Bay by helping to strengthen partnerships between businesses, environmental organisations and local communities, encouraging nature positive business practice and supporting regional action for nature recovery.
We donate 1% of our revenue to Sussex Bay’s nature restoration projects.
