At Rustic, we are dedicated to doing good by our planet.

 

We certainly cannot do this without committing to making a net positive impact on the environment. At Rustic Studios, we want to be leaders in sustainable small business practice, and aim to use our network to support and accelerate climate action wherever possible.

 

To achieve this, we are committed to embarking on our Net Zero journey to reduce our emissions and regularly review our sustainable operations.

Our target is to reduce our emissions by 50% by 2030. This is in line with IPCC’s timeframe to limit the increase in global warming. By 2040, we are aiming to be a Net Zero business.

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It is important to recognise the impact that our travel has on the environment - to reduce it where possible and remove the rest through other methods.

 

Although our core team have been long-time enthusiasts of making planet-friendly lifestyle choices, we have created this policy to document our practices within our business. Some practices include small tweaks to our daily routines, others of which are on a larger scale. We want to use our network to support and accelerate climate action, as well as increase climate awareness.

 

From The NHS on Delivering a Net Zero National Health Service:

“Action on climate change will bring direct improvements for public health and health equity. Reaching our country’s ambitions under the Paris Climate Change Agreement could see over 5700 lives saved every year from improved air quality, 38000 lives saved every year from a more physically active population and over 100000 lives saved every year from healthier diets.”

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3. Current Practices

 

Our sustainability practices include:

 

• Supplying vegetarian and vegan catering on shoots, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and our environmental footprint.

 

• Purchasing second-hand furniture for our office.

 

• Reducing our CO2 emissions where possible by renting equipment locally, car-pooling and using public transport where possible.

 

• Offsetting our carbon footprint when possible by donating to carbon avoidance projects. These provide complementary climate solutions to prevent greenhouse gas emissions, restore nature, and support local communities.

 

• Committing to donate to carbon avoidance projects per new project, and encouraging our clients to do the same.

 

• Being Wenta Net Zero Bronze, Silver and Gold Certified, which is a CPD certified Carbon Literacy Training Course.

 

• Supplying organic, recycled and vegan clothing to our crew.

 

• Minimising our plastic waste.

 

• Keeping up to date with all environmental legislation and implementing better practices as they become available.

 

• Supporting local businesses throughout our supplier chain, including locations, props, catering, and other suppliers.

 

• Reviewing our sustainability practices regularly to identify and implement any improvements.

 

• Embarking on our Net Zero journey and committing to being a Zero Net Emissions business.

 

• Meeting with a Net Zero advisor annually to discuss our progress towards our Net Zero commitment.

 

All of the above follow the Green Claims Code written by CMA.

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4. Carbon Footprint

 

From April 2023 to April 2024 our carbon footprint was 2908.71kgCO2e. (2.9087 tonnes)

 

4.1. Total Emissions

Scope 1: 0%

Scope 2: 0%

Scope 3: 100%

 

4.2. Scope 3 Emissions

100% of our emissions are Upstream Scope 3 emissions. These come from:

Staff Commuting: 858.56kgCO2e

Staff Business Travel: 1899.51kgCO2e

Overnight Accommodation: 150.64kgCO2e

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We can use this data to implement an action plan that will enable us to work towards our reduction targets and Net Zero goals.

 

Our carbon footprint will be calculated and monitored annually.

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5. Our Net Zero Plan

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5.1. Our Net Zero Plan Commitment Statement:

At Rustic Studios, we want to be leaders amongst SMEs practising sustainability, and aim to use our network to support and accelerate climate action wherever possible. Our target is to reduce our emissions by 50% by 2030. By 2040 or sooner, we are committing to be a Net Zero business. We are proud members of the UK SME Climate Hub and have joined the United Nations “Race to Zero” campaign.

 

This is in line with IPCC’s timeframe to limit the increase in global warming.

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5.2. Our Action Plan

Our Net Zero Action Plan centres around reducing our emissions as low as possible without adversely affecting the business case. Whatever remains is somehow removed elsewhere through carbon offset and donating to avoidance projects.

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How we plan to reduce our carbon emissions:

 

5.2.1. Staff Commuting Reduction Targets

-Weekly Office Commuting: By July 2024, our business will implement a policy that limits each employee to a maximum of three car office commutes per week, encouraging the use of public transportation or working from home to reduce our overall carbon footprint via staff commuting.

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5.2.2. Business Travel Reduction Targets

-Electric Vehicle: By December 31, 2026, our business will purchase an electric vehicle to reduce emissions associated with business travel, contributing to our sustainability objectives. To do this, we will set aside income to save up for the purchase, and research any grants available for businesses.

-Taxis and Ubers: By April 2024, 80% (or more) of all taxi and Uber rides required for business travel are booked with electric vehicles, thereby reducing our carbon footprint and supporting our sustainability objectives.

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5.2.3. Overnight Stay Reduction Targets

-Accommodation: In July 2024, we reduced the number of overnight accommodation stays for business purposes by 30% through the implementation of day trips where possible.  There is a higher risk towards the business case here as whilst our team grows, we may require more overnight stays when shoot demands require.

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How we remove the rest: 

 

3.5.4. Carbon Offset Targets

 

Offset via Gold Standard: We will offset our carbon emissions through financial donations to Gold Standard certified carbon offset programs. Our research suggests that Gold Standard programs have the most reliable and robust sustainability measures in place. There is an indication that only a select number of programs in the world meet these standards, however we will keep this under review through regular research and advice from Net Zero experts.

 

Our 2023-2024 emissions (3 tonnes) have been offset by supporting the following initiatives:

• Cleaner, Safer Water in Cambodia (1 tonne)

• Uganda Gender Responsive Safe Water Project (1 tonne)

• Vichada Climate Reforestation in Colombia (1 tonne)

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Offset Carbon from Flights: In addition to carbon offset schemes we choose to support, by July 2024, for every flight booked, we will make a contribution either with an airline recommended offset scheme, or a suitable alternative. Based on current fossil fuel dependencies, we cannot reduce these emissions as much as car travel. Our desire is cleaner, more sustainable fuels, and cleaner technology to become available and affordable in the years to and beyond 2040. 

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6. Disclaimer

After offsetting our carbon, we could conceivably assert that we are carbon neutral. As we grow, our aim is to continue to reduce Staff Commuting, Business Travel and Overnight Stays emissions, and offset emissions from travel abroad.

 

We will be a Net Zero business when:

• All our travel by car is done via an EV that uses renewable energy.

• We have reduced the number of overnight stays as much as possible without adversely affecting the business case.

• All our remaining emissions are offset through reliable carbon offset/avoidance schemes.

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Rustic Studios acknowledges that some of our operations will have an impact on the environment, and as we grow, so will our carbon emissions and impact. We aim to reduce this as much as possible over the long-term, with the mindset that our sustainability journey and journey to Net Zero is a marathon, not a sprint.