Environment, Social and Governance: Stonbury’s Strategy
The leading sustainability specialist to the water industry and the wider water environment has launched its first Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) Strategy, outlining definitive actions to propel the company to achieve its stated goals.
The ESG Strategy represents a significant milestone in Stonbury’s commitment to empowering its people and communities, future-proofing Britain’s infrastructure and leading the transition to a more sustainable and resilient world.
The formal public statement communicates key areas where Stonbury will collaborate with clients, suppliers and the community to maximise its positive impact and realise its goal of being the preferred specialist driving sustainability within its chosen markets.
The plan organises new and existing strategies into three distinct pillars of People, Planet and Prosperity, to guide the accomplishment of a sustainable, prosperous future for Stonbury and its stakeholders through investing in people, achieving consistent environmentally restorative project delivery and fostering responsible economic growth.
Empowering people
People form the cornerstone of every business and are the driving force behind successful action. By investing in its people, Stonbury aims to embed a company-wide sustainability consciousness, promote diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) and establish a strong foundation for health, safety and well-being to develop a skilled, content workforce and an environment in which they can excel.
The strategy details steps to achieve empowerment through maintaining high levels of employee engagement and providing robust coaching and monitoring as part of its industry-leading cultural change programme. The introduction of new employment initiatives will ensure the business represents the communities it serves and creates accessible pathways into engineering careers for under-represented groups within the sector.
Respecting the planet
Planet-specific objectives prioritise low-carbon delivery, protect and restore biodiversity, and deliver resilient, sustainable infrastructure. Stonbury is proudly environment-focused, improving its in-house sustainability credentials while assisting clients to deliver projects that add value to the natural world and society.
To achieve Net Zero by 2050 or sooner, the company is reducing Scope 1 and 2 Emissions across vehicle fleets, sites and offices, and engaging with clients and suppliers to identify and prioritise low-carbon options. The result is a proprietary model for sustainable project delivery where all aspects are planned through a green lens, making the eco-friendly option the only option.
The strategy highlights plans to increase the delivery of climate adaptation projects and expand offerings in green engineering, asset lifespan extension, and environmentally conscious asset creation. In addition to slashing its own carbon footprint, Stonbury’s sustainable programmes will help clients reduce their future carbon emissions as they strengthen the UK’s water, wastewater and water environment infrastructure.
When delivering any project, the company endeavours to leave the environment in a better state than it found it. By committing to 10% biodiversity net gain on all appropriate programmes and promoting a portfolio of nature-based solutions that value ecosystem services, clients and the community are assured that all engineering schemes will protect and restore ecosystems for future generations.
Fostering prosperity
A key objective of the strategy is to nurture responsible growth – not just to do well, but also to do good. Stonbury’s current actions aim to leave a positive legacy on the world and society, laying foundations for the next generation so that they will not only have jobs to go to, but a planet to live on where all life thrives.
This goal will be achieved by conducting all operations with integrity, providing effective governance and transparent reporting with independent verification. Stonbury strives to improve the lives of its stakeholders by enhancing customer satisfaction, giving back to communities and charitable causes, and continuing to align with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).
Stonbury’s commitment extends beyond its own operations, with a pledge to instill ESG credentials throughout its supply chain by providing education and supporting providers that align with the strategy’s goals and abide by the company’s Supply Chain Charter. The company also promises to support Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise organisations (VCSEs), B-Corps and other living-wage employers.
By aligning the pillars of People, Planet and Prosperity to achieve the strategy’s pledges, everything Stonbury does will contribute to a more sustainable world.
Our ESG Strategy will help steer our overall sustainable and ethical performance, both of which have significant implications for our long-term success and reputation, so that we continue to be recognised for not just what we do, but how we do it.
