We are proud to announce the release of our 2023 Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Impact Report, which highlights our ongoing efforts to create a positive and sustainable future.
At Argyll, we believe that long-term success is built on responsible practices that prioritise the environment, people, and ethical governance. This report reflects the strides we made in 2023 toward those goals and outlines the next steps for 2024 and beyond.
Our commitment to ESG
We recognise the urgency of the climate, biodiversity, and resource crisis. We are fully committed to having a positive impact on the environment and ensuring that we deliver positive social outcomes for our team, customers, suppliers, and community.
We understand that sustainability needs to be a fundamental part of everything we do as a business. Our commitment to ESG is not just about compliance—it’s about making meaningful impacts that align with our values and address the critical challenges facing society. The 2023 ESG Impact Report provides a detailed account of how we are advancing this mission.
Key highlights of the 2023 ESG Impact Report
Environmental stewardship:
Climate change continues to be one of the most pressing issues of our time. In 2023, we implemented key initiatives to reduce our carbon footprint, improve energy efficiency, and promote sustainable resource management. Some of our notable achievements include:
- Calculating our base year carbon emissions for the first time across scopes 1,2 &3.
- Investing £11.3m in CapEx in 2023 to renovate our period buildings in a way that is sensitive to their heritage, while also reducing their ongoing environmental impact. A total of £28.5m has been invested over the last 3 years, covering 28% of owned buildings.
- 5 out of 7 properties improved their EPC rating from D to B following CapEx investment.
- We committed to setting an ambitious carbon reduction target, aiming for alignment with the Science Based Target initiative* and striving to achieve Net Zero by 2040.
- Championing a circular economy during refurbishments by partnering with local charities to donate surplus furniture and artwork.
*At this stage we are using the Science Based Targets initiative as an informal framework.
Social impact and community engagement:
We recognise that our responsibilities extend beyond our buildings. Our focus on social equity, diversity, and community development plays a critical role in ensuring long-lasting positive change. In 2023, we made strides in the following areas:
- Investing in the wellbeing of our team and achieving the Great Place to Work certification. 76% of team members say Argyll is a great place to work.
- Building on our partnership with local homeless charity, The Connection at St.Martin’s, by providing 168 hours of volunteer work and contributing £4,140 in donations.
- Engaging with our community and expanding our community investment, equating to a total value of £25,764.
- Fostering a culture of equality, diversity and inclusion, celebrating with a Pride party to support our LGBTQ+ team members.
Governance and ethical leadership:
Strong governance is the foundation of trust and accountability. This year, we took significant strides in embedding ESG principles into our operational and strategic framework. Key developments include:
- Prioritised the role that ESG will play through the appointment of Emily Smith, our Chief Operating Officer, as the Board-level lead for ESG initiatives.
- Introduced new acquisition appraisal criteria based on ESG commitments. By integrating ESG into our decision-making processes, we aim to embed these values deeply within our organisational culture.
- Conducted a gap analysis to identify areas needing policy development. The insights from this analysis guided the creation of policies that were finalised and launched in 2023.
Our path forward
While we are proud of the progress we have made, we understand that sustainability is a journey, not a destination. The 2023 ESG Impact Report is a testament to our dedication, but it also serves as a roadmap for 2024 and beyond. In the coming years, we are committed to setting even more ambitious goals and partnering with stakeholders to drive innovation in sustainability and equity.
We invite you to explore the full 2023 ESG Impact Report to learn more about our initiatives, metrics, and future commitments. Together, we can continue to make a lasting, positive impact on the environment, society, and governance.
Thank you for your ongoing support in helping us build a sustainable future.
