Net Zero Plan 2026–2050.

Guardian Care Group Limited is committed to achieving net zero greenhouse-gas emissions by 2050 at the latest.

We recognise that health and social care organisations have an important role in reducing carbon emissions, using resources responsibly and protecting the health and wellbeing of present and future generations. We will therefore consider environmental impact in our governance, purchasing, workforce, travel and service-delivery decisions.

As an emerging provider, 2026 will be our baseline year. We will develop our emissions baseline as operational activity increases and publish an annual update describing our progress, priorities and any changes to our reduction measures.

Guardian Care Group Limited will work towards the following targets:

• Establish and document our organisational carbon-emissions baseline using 2026 operational data.
• Reduce carbon emissions per employee and per hour of service delivered by at least 50% by 2030, compared with our 2026 baseline.
• Achieve a minimum 75% reduction in operational emissions by 2040.
• Achieve net zero greenhouse-gas emissions across our operations and material supply chain by 2050 at the latest.
• Review our targets annually as the organisation grows and more accurate emissions information becomes available.

We will prioritise genuine emissions reductions. Carbon offsetting will only be considered for unavoidable residual emissions after reasonable reduction measures have been implemented. Any future offsets will use credible and independently verified schemes.

Our baseline and annual reviews will consider relevant emissions within the following areas:

Scope 1 – Direct emissions

• Fuel used by vehicles owned or directly controlled by Guardian.
• Fuel or heating used within premises under Guardian's direct control.
• Any other direct operational greenhouse-gas emissions.

Scope 2 – Purchased energy

• Electricity, heating or cooling purchased for premises under Guardian's control.
• Energy use associated with our office and administrative activities.

Scope 3 – Indirect emissions

• Business mileage and staff travel.
• Employee commuting.
• Purchased goods and services.
• Information technology and telecommunications.
• Waste disposal and recycling.
• Homeworking where information can be measured proportionately.
• Travel associated with delivering community-based services.
• Material emissions generated through our supply chain.

Where precise information is not initially available, we will use recognised conversion factors and reasonable estimates. Our data quality and reporting methodology will be strengthened as the organisation develops.

Sustainable travel and service delivery

We will:

• Organise community-based work geographically to reduce unnecessary mileage.
• Use locality-based staff matching and scheduling wherever practicable.
• Encourage walking, cycling, public transport and car sharing where these options are safe and appropriate.
• Use telephone or secure virtual meetings when face-to-face travel is unnecessary.
• Avoid unnecessary repeat journeys through effective assessment, planning and communication.
• Encourage the transition to lower-emission and electric vehicles as these become operationally and financially practical.
• Record and review business mileage to identify further reduction opportunities.

The safety, accessibility and individual needs of the people we support will remain central to travel decisions.

Energy and office use

We will:

• Use energy-efficient equipment and lighting.
• Switch off equipment when it is not required.
• Apply power-saving settings to computers and other devices.
• Minimise unnecessary heating, cooling and electricity use.
• Work with landlords and serviced-office providers to understand and improve the environmental performance of the premises we use.
• Consider renewable-energy arrangements when Guardian controls the relevant energy contract.

Digital working and responsible use of resources

We will:

• Use digital records, electronic communication and electronic signatures where appropriate and secure.
• Minimise printing and use recycled or responsibly sourced paper when printing is necessary.
• Purchase durable, repairable and energy-efficient equipment wherever practicable.
• Reuse equipment safely before purchasing replacements.
• Dispose of confidential paper, electrical equipment and batteries through appropriate recycling or secure-disposal services.
• Reduce the use of disposable products while maintaining infection-prevention and safety requirements.

Sustainable procurement

Environmental considerations will form part of proportionate supplier selection and contract management. Where relevant, we will consider:

• Suppliers' environmental and carbon-reduction commitments.
• Local purchasing opportunities that reduce transport emissions.
• Product durability, packaging, recyclability and whole-life cost.
• Ethical and sustainable sourcing.
• Consolidating orders to reduce deliveries.
• Whether suppliers can provide relevant environmental information.

We will not allow environmental considerations to compromise safeguarding, infection prevention, accessibility, quality or continuity of support.

Workforce awareness

We will communicate our net zero commitments through induction, management oversight and staff updates. Employees and workers will be encouraged to:

• Reduce avoidable travel and energy consumption.
• Minimise waste.
• Use resources responsibly.
• Report practical ideas for improving environmental performance.
• Follow Guardian's environmental procedures during service delivery.

Guardian's directors have overall responsibility for this plan. They will ensure that environmental considerations are incorporated into operational planning, procurement, risk management and business development.

Progress will be reviewed at least annually. The review will consider:

• Business mileage and travel patterns.
• Energy and office-resource consumption where data is available.
• Purchasing and waste-management practices.
• Workforce participation.
• Relevant supplier information.
• Progress against stated targets.
• Actions required for the following year.

Material environmental risks, missed targets and improvement actions will be recorded and monitored by the directors.

Guardian Care Group Limited will publish an annual update on its website. The update will include, where proportionate and available:

• The emissions calculation and methodology used.
• Progress against the 2026 baseline.
• Significant reduction measures completed.
• Areas where data or performance requires improvement.
• Priorities for the following reporting period.
• Any revisions to the plan or interim targets.

This plan will be reviewed annually and updated following material changes to Guardian's services, premises, workforce, supply chain or legal and contractual obligations.