What does Knauf’s Planet Mark certification mean?
Following Knauf’s announcement that it has joined Planet Mark, the company has now been certified by Planet Mark for Carbon Footprint and Social Value reporting for 2021.
What does this mean?
Knauf has been measuring its carbon footprint for some time but has never had it verified by an external organisation, such as Planet Mark. The company has also never previously measured its social value.
This extra layer of evaluation adds value to the measures the company is taking. It also allows Knauf to demonstrate to its customers its commitment to measuring and lowering its carbon footprint, increasing its social value and contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
How is Knauf reducing its carbon footprint?
Knauf has measured the carbon associated with its buildings, travel, waste, water and procurement for 2021, for example the gas and electricity used in the company’s buildings. This doesn’t yet include every element of carbon related to the business, this is where Knauf has room to improve over the coming years.
Knauf has set a minimum target of 2.5% annual carbon reduction to reach carbon zero by 2050. However, it is hoping to achieve a higher annual reduction as new technologies become available.
What does social value mean?
Social Value measures the positive value Knauf creates for the economy, communities, and society. This includes how it looks after its people, local communities, donations, where it buys from and its environmental impacts.
Social Value is becoming increasingly important to Knauf’s clients, and through its certification with Planet Mark, the company now has a baseline from which to improve year on year.
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and improve the lives and prospects of everyone, everywhere.
Knauf’s Planet Mark certification demonstrates how it is already contributing to five of these goals. For example, Knauf has protected one acre of Peruvian rainforest with UK charity Cool Earth, and contributed to the educational charity, the Eden Project. The company’s aim is to contribute to further goals.
Stronger together
Knauf has a strong focus on internal communication and education to help embed sustainability throughout the business. It has set up a Sustainability Champions Group, a Circular Economy Task Force and a Carbon Zero Task Force to help integrate sustainability into all aspects of everyday business.
The company is also educating everyone in the business on how they can contribute to reducing its carbon footprint to help achieve its sustainability goals. It is also encouraging staff to add value to society, for example by using the three paid volunteer days that every staff member is allowed each year to volunteer and support a charitable organisation.
Knauf will be publishing a report later this year outlining Planet Mark’s findings and setting out its sustainability strategy moving forward.
