The ‘Terra Carta’ – inspired by the ancient Magna Carta signed in 1215 by King John – consists of a 10-point action plan companies must follow to protect the environment.
Valve manufacturer Heap & Partners joined the initiative to further reduce its environmental impact and build upon its current sustainability efforts. The charter agreement will see Heaps work towards fulfilling landmark international treaties including the Paris Climate Change Agreement.
Carbon neutral since 2017, Heap & Partners aims to pave the way forward for SMEs to work towards a healthy business and planet.
Some 200 organisations have joined the global coalition including Unilever, AstraZeneca and HSBC, with Heap & Partners representing one of the few SME voices involved.
Using a framework of industry leaders to share best practice and work together collaboratively, the initiative will outline pathways towards decarbonisation and reimagining industries to be more sustainable. Investing in nature and conservation, and improving incentives for sustainable alternatives through taxation are also desired measures to be achieved.
One of Terra Carta’s actions was initiated at the One Planet Summit in Paris with the creation of a Natural Capital Investors Alliance targeting $10 billion by 2022.
Heap & Partners became carbon-neutral in 2017 after implementing a three-pronged ‘People, Planet, and Profit’ strategy, which began in 2012. As a result of its People measure, Heap & Partners supported staff volunteering days within the community and matched money raised to charities to the value of £12,000 in 2019.
One of a small number of SMEs to join the Terra Carta, the firm hopes to further protect the environment while encouraging other companies to adopt sustainable initiatives.
Heap & Partners Managing Director David Millar said: “While we’ve found that slashing our carbon footprint has been extremely beneficial for the business and our profitability, we always want to do more and go further.
“We’re delighted to be one of the first SMEs to work with HRH The Prince of Wales on this important initiative.
“We firmly believe in the power of industry to change the world, and we aim to show other SMEs like us that you can continue to grow profits while keeping the health of the planet as a key component of your business model.”
