Sustainability & Environmental Consulting

The Carey Group, a family-owned construction business with a turnover of approximately £500 million, faced the challenge of developing a sustainability strategy from scratch. Recognizing the importance of sustainability for both their staff and the business, they sought a framework that would enable sustainable operations, coordinate and report on existing sustainability efforts, and effectively communicate these initiatives to all employees. However, the company was uncertain about how to create a strategy that would drive change across the organization while engaging their staff in the process.

To address this, Bioregional conducted a comprehensive sustainability gap analysis rooted in staff insights. This involved an organization-wide survey that garnered responses from over 200 employees, indicating a strong demand for a sustainability strategy. Additionally, in-depth interviews were conducted with a diverse range of staff, from board members to site workers, to gather perspectives on current practices and aspirations for the future. The analysis also included detailed questionnaires for key stakeholders within each business unit, structured around the ten One Planet Living principles, to identify areas for significant sustainability impact. Site visits were conducted to understand the practical implications of sustainability on active construction projects.

Using the insights from the gap analysis, Bioregional developed a sustainability strategy centered around five key themes that aligned with the business's aims and staff expectations, as well as best practices in sustainability. The strategy included five 'enablers' that outlined how the Group would achieve its sustainability goals. This strategy was presented during an interactive workshop with key stakeholders, including the CEO and COO of Careys Civil Engineering, where the themes and enablers were discussed and refined.

The outcome was a clear and accessible plan for action that engaged staff across the organization. The strategy, underpinned by the One Planet Living principles, provided a holistic approach to social, economic, and environmental sustainability. Following the strategy's creation, Bioregional collaborated with the Group's various business units to develop action plans tailored to each theme. Staff feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the strategy's simplicity and practicality, as well as the recognition of how their work contributes to sustainability goals. The Carey Group is now considering creating a video to further engage stakeholders with their sustainability strategy.