1.0 CURRENT IMPACT
I have calculated my businesses environmental impact in the following ways:
1.1 Carbon footprint of main business

• The studio uses 1340 KWH of electricity each year, this currently comes from non-renewable resources

• During the summer (May – November) the amount of electricity used is 550 KWH and this not surprisingly goes up in the winter (November to May) to 790 KWH.

• Whilst the obvious sources of energy use include electric heater, lights, computers etc., another key source is the washing machine as this is in frequent use due to all the backdrops, wraps and blankets needing to be washed after each newborn session.

• Using the carbon footprint calculator at www.carbonfootprint.com, I have calculated that the current carbon footprint of the studio, including all aspects of its running, is 14.25 metric tons per year.

The main areas of carbon production in the studio

• Computers and IT equipment (4.09 metric tonnes per year or 29% of the total)
• Products and artwork (3.95 metric tonnes per year or 28% of the total)
• Car journeys - both myself and clients (3.63 metric tonnes per year or 25% of the total)
• Telephones (1.54 metric tonnes per year or 11% of the total)

1.2 Carbon footprint of products

I’ve assessed the impact my products have and have found that products and artwork in particular are the second highest producer of carbon in the business at present, producing an estimated 3.95 metric tons per year. This comes predominantly for artwork production and delivery, and this is an area that needs to be addressed wherever possible. Whilst it may not be possible to change product if another equivalent product isn’t available, we already wait until we have at least five or six orders before we place the order with the printers to try and cut down on both the carbon footprint for delivery and also the amount of packaging required. We always try and use suppliers that have a good sustainability policy and that use recyclable packaging wherever possible.

The areas of concern for my products are:
           1.2.1 Recycled materials – currently the studio only uses paper and cotton bags for all products and client gifts. While both suppliers have a sustainability policy in place, they do not make it clear how the bag materials are sourced or if they are fully recyclable. We are currently looking to change suppliers to more ecofriendly suppliers and aim to do this by the end of 2023. Wherever possible all packaging materials are recycled or reused if anything requires packing or posting from the studio.
           1.2.2 Single use plastics – the studio tries wherever possible not to use single-use plastics. For example, we have a milkman that delivered milk in glass bottles that are returned to the milkman, thus avoiding the need for plastic milk cartons.

However, one of our biggest single-use plastics is printer cartridges. At present there are no alternatives, but we are looking into whether the cartridges can be reused as a company just 5 minutes away sells printers and toners and they are looking into it.
           1.2.3 International shipping – We have already swapped suppliers for suppliers closer to home. We will continue to monitor this regularly with the hope of further reducing the distance travelled by artwork during delivery. While we can’t commit to a date for this as it will depend on suppliers, we will continue to look at this on a regular basis.

Where possible, producers that have a clear sustainability policy are the preferred source.

  1.2.4 Locally sourced materials – we are looking at using a local printers for some print items and will aim to do this by the end of 2023. We will also continue to try and use locally sourced materials wherever possible, such as obtaining printer inks from a very local company. In terms of printed items, the studio has now moved to predominantly digital materials wherever possible.

1.3 Carbon footprint of customers

In order to fully understand the impact of my business I’ve calculated the carbon used by my customers travelling. I’ve calculated this on basis of 100 customers making two round-trip journeys to the studio of an average of 40 miles in total. This produces an average carbon footprint of 1.34 tons.

1.4 Additional impact

Other areas of my business that I have also identified as being areas that can be improved are:

1.4.1 Lighting – the studio will be switching to all light bulbs to energy saving lightbulbs as soon as possible but the aim is to have everything switched by the end of 2021.

1.4.2 Business practices – the studio is switching to a paperless system where everything is provided digitally unless specifically requested by the client. This is as of now and will continue that way. We will make clients aware of our reasoning behind being paper-free and encourage them to do the same whenever possible.

1.4.3 Electrical equipment – all electrical equipment is already switched off when not in use. We have always used timers on the heaters to ensure they are only switched on when needed. We also use hot water bottles to heat props before using them, thus allowing the temperature of the studio to be dropped by a couple of degrees without affecting the comfort of the baby.

1.4.4 Business travel – from now on, we are delivering final artwork to clients and have a designated day for deliveries. We plan the route and make sure it is the most economical route covering all delivery areas. This reduces our carbon footprint due to travel but also the client’s carbon footprint too.

2.0 SUSTAINABILITY AIMS

Following the sustainability Audit, I will be committing to the following and how we aim to do this will be addressed in the next section:

• Reducing the cumulative carbon footprint by a further 10% by the end of 2024
• Positively offsetting at least 80% of the businesses carbon by the end of 2024
• Positively offsetting a further 5% of my personal carbon footprint by April 2024
• Reducing travel by a further 5% by the end of 2024
• Committing to reduce a further 5% of my products’ carbon footprint by the end of 2024
• Reducing single use plastics to almost zero by the end of 2024
• Only using FSC certified card and products by the end of 2023
• Promoting sustainability to my clients from now with continuous review.
• Promoting sustainability through my products, with at least 10% of my products sold being eco-friendly by the end of 2023.

3.0 SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES

In order to achieve the aims set out above I will be committing to the following:

Reducing cumulative carbon footprint by 10% by the end of 2023

By being aware of all areas of the business that contribute to the business’ carbon footprint and by making small reductions in all areas

100% renewable energy but the end of 2023

• The studio is currently using a non-renewable energy supplier.
• The plan is to switch to a 100% renewable energy supplier by the end of 2023 at the latest.

Positively offsetting at least 80% of the businesses carbon by the end of 2023

• The current carbon offset through the planting of trees in conjunction with Ecologi is 15.55 metric tons over the last 29 months, which will work out to 6.43 metric tonnes in the year.
• Therefore, the studio is currently heading to offset 50% of the carbon footprint and we aim to offset at least 80% of the business carbon (the studio has planted 2,307 trees so far, which equates to offsetting 12 long haul flights, 47m² of sea ice saved and 38,580 miles driven in a car).

Positively offsetting 5% of my personal carbon footprint by April 2023

• I aim to have reduced my personal carbon footprint by at least 5% by April 2024.
• I plant 100 trees for each of my sons as part of their Birthday presents and again at Christmas as part of their Christmas presents. This is an annual gift.

Reducing travel by 7% by the end of 2023

• We have now started to deliver client artwork and wait until we have at least five orders to deliver in a similar area and then plan the route to deliver them in the most energy efficient way and using the least mileage possible. This reduces both my carbon footprint and that of my clients.

Committing to reduce 7% of my products’ carbon footprint by the end of 2023

• I have already switched product suppliers to those closer to home for both my folio boxes and my wall art. I am also going to look carefully at by changing producers where possible to those who are more carbon neutral.
• Through careful selection of producers as well as products purchased this should be possible.

Reducing single use plastics to almost zero by the end of 2024

• My aim is to reduce the use of single-use plastics to almost zero, if at all possible, by the end of 2024. One of my biggest ‘single use plastics’ is printer cartridges. At present I don’t think there are any eco-friendlier options but I will by looking into different ink options as they become available.
• The studio does now have a milkman that delivers milk in reusable bottles to reduce the use of plastic milk cartons. I also now use recyclable tea and coffee pods in my studio coffee machine.

Only using FSC certified card and products by the end of 2023

• Although the studio is aiming to go paperless, when print items are required, once we have used our current stock, we will aim to only use eco-friendly card.

Actively promoting sustainability to my clients. which will be under continuous review

• We already actively promote the planting of trees for every client who visits the studio. They receive an e-mail after their visit with a link to their trees planted in their childrens’ names. I also aim to send a follow-up newsletter on the first anniversary of planting the trees to encourage them to go back and look at how they have grown. I will also be sending them a link for them to join up with Ecologi and also help with their personal carbon offsetting.
• I also have a sustainability page on my website, which explains to clients what we do already in terms of sustainability and what we plan to do in the future (https://www.sarahbaldockportraits.co.uk/our-sustainability-pledge).
• The sustainability page also includes information on how clients can make a few simple changes to help reduce their carbon footprint

Promoting sustainability through my products, with at least 10% of my products sold being eco-friendly by the end of 2023.

• The aim is to offer at least five eco-friendly products by the end of 2023 and encouraging clients to opt for those items. It may be incur slightly more costs than the less eco-friendly alternatives but with obvious benefits it is hoped that at least 10% of products sold will be eco-friendly by the end of 2023.

4.0 POSITIVE ACTION

Following on from the sustainability actions above, I will be committing to the following climate positive actions by the end of 2023. The main source of these actions is through collaboration with Ecologi and the planting of trees for all clients who visit the studio and also personally as well:

4.1 Business Carbon positive offset of 80% in total

4.2 Products Carbon positive offset of 80%

4.3 Customer Carbon positive offset of 80%.

My business commitment for the end of 2023 is as follows:

4.4 Reduction of carbon by 5%, with 10% reduction by the end of 2023. This is through monitoring and changing suppliers for more sustainable options as well as swapping to renewable energy sources where possible and generally making sure that wherever possible, the studio makes small improvements to make it more eco-friendly.

4.5 Carbon Offsetting of 50%, with 80% offsetting by the end of 2024, through the collaboration with Ecologi and the planting of trees for every family who visits the studio.

4.6 Carbon positive impact of switching to renewable energy sources. Whilst being realistic, this may not result in a true ‘climate positive’ studio as it is unlikely the studio will make more energy than it requires, if it can sustain its own use through 100% renewable energy, it’s a start and is something that will be continuously monitored.