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Net zero activity

Globally the built environment accounts for approximately 40% of total carbon emissions. That means facilities management plays a critical role in creating sustainable spaces and estates that also deliver social value for the surrounding community.

Work so far

Work so far
Results
Awards

5,000+

electric vehicles in the Mitie fleet, 66% of total vehicles

100%

renewable energy procured

51%

reduction in gas consumption at Mitie offices

476%

increase in biodiversity at the Mitie Landscapes office

Mitie’s Plan Zero initiative commits to net zero operational emissions by 2025 and net zero non-operation emissions by 2035.

We will achieve these targets by focusing on:

Eliminating carbon from power and transport through EVs and decarbonised sites
Eradicating non-sustainable waste through removing chemicals from our cleaning
operations, reducing use of natural resources and eliminating single-use materials
Enhancing inefficient buildings by optimising sites, occupying offices with high energy ratings and implementing biodiversity initiatives within our estate
Engaging with our supply chain to influence and reduce our Scope 3 emissions.

Plan Zero follows a ‘Do, Lead, Deliver’ approach where we do it for ourselves, lead the industry, then use our in-house expertise to deliver exceptional services for our customers. This way we make sure our own processes are in order, then use our significant influence and reach to impact the wider industry.

A fleet of over 5,000 electric vehicles

Our vehicle fleet accounts for over 98% of our overall Scope 1 and 2 emissions, so we are targeting our fleet’s emissions to reduce environmental impact.

In February 2024, Mitie welcomed the 5,000th electric vehicle (EV), a Volkswagen ID Buzz, to its fleet. Some of our latest EVs are particularly noteworthy. For example, in our Landscapes business, EVs have solar panels on the roof to charge battery-powered tools.

We have installed over 3,000 chargers at our colleagues’ homes, Mitie sites and for our customers. Through our partnership with Mina, we pay directly for charging at our colleagues’ homes.

We want to ensure that the EVs of the future are fit for purpose, and we are now working with vehicle manufacturers to develop 4×4 and large commercial EVs.

Mitie branded electric van - grey van with green leaves on the rear, with text of 'Hello! I'm Mitie's 5000th electric vehicle'

Proudly wearing sustainability

Following the acquisition of Interserve Facilities Management in 2021, Mitie recycled 80 tonnes of defunct uniforms. We arranged multiple collections from 2,000 sites across the UK, and the clothing went through a specialist recycling process involving shredding and separating to re-make garments, insulation, textile products and specialist papers. Any garments containing non-recyclable fibres were incinerated, with heat generated from this process used to generate power then sold to the National Grid.

We saved 80 tonnes of waste from landfill, avoiding 1,800 tonnes of CO2 emissions in the process – equivalent to 2,700 return flights to New York from London.

Taking biodiversity to the next level

Enhancing biodiversity is key to the decarbonisation of both Mitie and our customers. We have focused on improving biodiversity at the Mitie Landscapes offices, which was decarbonised in 2021. This was achieved via air source heat pumps and other solutions including rainwater harvesting. We have worked to make the offices an ecological haven and introduced a range of habitat types in April 2022. These now entice a variety of species to enjoy the space, which includes native hedgerows, a perennial wildflower meadow, a herbaceous area, a living wall and a green roof.

Energy efficiency

Due to acquisitions, Mitie’s estate is ever-changing. This is why we continuously implement optimisation initiatives across our sites.

We procure 100% green energy for the sites we control and have decarbonised 16 sites through replacing boilers with air-source heat pumps.

Transitioning to these low-carbon alternatives will tighten our grip on Mitie’s energy consumption and decarbonise our heating systems. Mitie’s estate is also undergoing green CAPEX projects, including installing solar PV and LED lighting systems by our in-house Plan Zero Project Team.

We have committed to doubling our energy productivity through The Climate Group’s EP100 initiative and have extended Mitie Energy’s ISO50001 Energy Management Standard across the whole Group.

Mitie engineer kneeling on the floor while working on an air con unit

Mitie is at the forefront of ESG best practice within the facilities management sector and beyond. This is reflected in the market-leading scores and ratings received from prestigious external organisations, including accreditations from the Sustainable FM Index (SFMI Platinum), CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project A and Climate Disclosure Supply Chain A), Sustainalytics (10.5 Low Risk), MSCI ESG Ratings (AA) and Top Employer. Mitie also features in the FTSE4Good Index.

Prestigious recognition for net zero targets

In February 2021, Mitie committed to science-based targets incorporating our Scope 3 emissions from the supply chain. This was in line with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and 1.5 degrees Paris Agreement target. In April 2023, Mitie received SBTi validation for near-term, long-term and net zero science-based emissions reduction targets.

During FY23, we engaged with our suppliers to collate our supply chain emissions, allowing us to calculate the size of our Scope 3 emissions and to implement milestone targets to achieve net zero.

SBTi is regarded as the gold standard for net zero emissions targets and receiving SBTi validation marks an important milestone in our decarbonisation journey.

While we have our own ambitious targets of net zero carbon for our operations by 2025,
we know that we can make an even bigger impact on the planet by helping our customers decarbonise too.
Jason Roberts, Mitie Group Director, Sustainability & Social Value

Get Decarbonisation, Delivered

The effects of climate change are evident and as organisations gear up for carbon reduction, there is pressing need for progress and delivery by customers, the public, investors and employees alike.

It’s time for a partner who can turn planning into action, and ambition into results. Together, we will make the difference and inspire positive change.

Discover how we can help

Illustrations of two grey and glass office buildings surrounded by green tree-tops and foliage. A man stands on top holding up a solar panel. A grey mountain, white clouds and a yellow sun are in the background, with three Mitie branded vans climbing the hillside