Farrans achieves Platinum level in BITC 2024 NI Environmental Benchmarking Survey
Business in the Community NI’s annual NI Environmental Benchmarking Survey results have been released at an event at Titanic Belfast attended by over 200 sustainability professionals. Farrans achieved Platinum in the 2024 Northern Ireland Environmental Benchmarking Survey, the highest level of achievement.
Over 130 Northern Ireland organisations from a range of sectors declared the measures they take to improve the environment and their emissions. The findings are used to benchmark, measure progress, and drive improvements year-on-year.
Kieran Harding, Managing Director, BITC said: “The Survey is a self-disclosure exercise that offers organisations a way to be externally assessed and scored on their environmental efforts and performance. Participating organisations have access to a Gap Analysis Report to help them to identify areas that need action and highlights where they are performing well, so it’s a comparison tool and real driver for improvement.”
Victoria Johnston, Sustainability Advisor, Farrans Construction, said: “We are delighted to have achieved Platinum status in the BITC survey this year, demonstrating our excellent progress in this area. We have implemented best practice in our environmental processes. We have undergone a materiality study to develop a strategy that identifies 4 key areas of impact Climate Action, Circular Economy & Resource Management, Environmental Protection & Biodiversity and Ethical Procurement & Sustainable Supply Chains. We want to become a Net Zero business 10 years early, by 2040, through commitment to the Climate Pledge.”
132 NI-based organisations from sectors including: General Manufacturing; Local Authority; Education; Utilities; Construction; ICT; and Food and Drink took part in the Survey, with 39 organisations achieving coveted top Platinum level.
On some of the findings from the Survey, Keelin McCone, Head of Environment, BITC said: “We can see that businesses in NI recognise that an increase in the likelihood of extreme weather events due to climate change poses significant challenges to operations, supply chains, and long-term financial stability.
“The Survey highlighted that at least 89% of companies have identified climate risks to their business and just over half of organisations who took part in the Survey have mitigation plans in place.
“Biodiversity is being considered too, with 65% of businesses reporting that they have taken action to improve their impacts by making biodiversity a fundamental element in their ESG strategy. They’re making a difference along the value chain too, by engaging with sub-contractors, the local community, and schools, to clean up local green areas, provide bird boxes, planters, soil and wildflower seeds.”
To download the full Report and see a full list of who participated, visit www.bitcni.org.uk/niebs