The IES Carbon Footprint explained
As signatories to the Pledge to Net Zero initiative, the IES team has been working to gather the data required to calculate our current greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This work covers all aspects of our operations that can be measured accurately, across all three scopes defined by the GHG Protocol.
Our total reported carbon footprint for 2025–2026 is 9.08 tCO₂e. While this appears to represent a significant increase on last year, the change is largely the result of improved reporting, rather than a rise in day-to-day operational emissions.
Scope 1: Direct emissions
We continue to report no Scope 1 emissions. As an organisation, we do not operate company vehicles, combustion equipment or other direct emission sources, and this remains unchanged from previous years.
Scope 2: Purchased energy
During this reporting period, we transitioned to a remote working model, meaning office energy use was only recorded from February to May. This meant Scope 2 emissions (electricity used in our Shoreditch office) fell by 81%.
Scope 3: Indirect value chain emissions
As in previous years, much of our footprint sits within Scope 3: emissions associated with our wider activities, supply chain and services. Our Scope 3 emissions account for 8.96 tCO₂e in total.
Business travel emissions decreased by 24%, reflecting more selective travel and continued use of remote engagement where appropriate. Employee commuting emissions also fell, consistent with our move to remote working.
The most notable change this year relates to our printed journal. Emissions from downstream transportation and distribution more than doubled compared to last year, now accounting for 2.18 tCO₂e. This increase is primarily due to improved data collection and a more comprehensive reporting methodology. In previous years, elements of journal-related emissions were either partially captured or not fully reflected within our reporting boundary.
By strengthening how we account for the distribution of the journal, we are presenting a more accurate picture of our impact.
Our organisational boundary
As a small team of 7 full-time staff and 5 part-time staff, our organisational boundary is relatively limited. We do not own or control any processing or producing operations or facilities and we work remotely. We do not have any company-owned vehicles and encourage our staff, Council and volunteers to use public transport where possible for business travel.
Of those within boundary, we have sufficient data to calculate an estimation of our current emissions and set targets for 7 categories. As part of this process and the ongoing reporting, we will endeavour to improve our data collection processes for these, and for the remaining categories within our organisational and operational boundaries that we currently do not have sufficient data for.
Moving forward
The move to remote working has reduced emissions linked to our office and commuting, and operational emissions have fallen on a like-for-like basis. However, improved reporting means that our overall reported footprint is higher. Expanding our reporting boundary gives a more complete understanding of where our emissions arise and where future reductions should be targeted.
By continuing to refine our methodology and improve data quality, we aim to ensure our reporting reflects both accuracy and accountability.
Our contributions to Climate Action
We are proud to be a signatory to the UNFCCC Climate Neutral Now initiative, committing to reducing our carbon emissions. Additionally, we have joined the Professional Bodies Climate Action Charter and Climate Action for Associations, further demonstrating our dedication to supporting climate action.
Our Climate Action Community is a challenge-led Community focused on championing the work of professionals in the environmental sciences in climate action, promoting the work of experts and evidence around climate change and driving change to ensure adaptation and mitigation measures are accurate, ambitious and achievable. The Community champions interdisciplinary working and a systems approach to the interlinked crises of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.
To do your part, why not open the discussions with your organisation around pledging to Net Zero?
Header image credit: © Gunta - Adobe Stock
