Nimans Marketing Director Stephen Mcintyre provides a progress report on the distributor’s Net Zero strategies and calls on the industry to close the green gap between larger and smaller resellers through a collaboration approach.
In your experience, is the reseller channel more receptive to the sustainability agenda compared to a year ago?
The channel’s awareness of sustainability has grown, particularly among larger resellers, and mainly driven by customer demands with sustainability becoming a crucial factor in large tenders. However, larger resellers often have more resources to implement sustainability initiatives, whereas smaller ones may face different pressures and priorities with fewer resources. This challenge can be addressed through education and support in implementing sustainable practices, and there is potential for industry players like Nimans to lead by example. Our goal is to bridge the gap between larger and smaller resellers in sustainability awareness and implementation. Therefore we are adapting our approach to meet the diverse needs of our reseller network, regardless of business size or resources.
Where is Nimans on its Scope 3 journey and how are you helping partners to move forward with their own Net Zero goals?
Nimans’ One Plan Sustainability Programme has made great strides and we are progressing our Scope 3 emissions journey by engaging with suppliers to prioritise the sustainability aspects of their products. Nimans is also fostering collaboration across the supply chain, encouraging partners to adopt sustainability frameworks and focus on greener practices through shared commitments to global sustainability objectives. Additionally, we are encouraging suppliers and customers to become, like Nimans, signatories of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Our goal is to bridge the gap between larger and smaller resellers in sustainability awareness
We have also participated in our customers’ CO2 accounting on the various platforms that they have requested. This is made easier by our completion of CO2 accounting for 2022 and 2023 giving us the level of granular detail required for these submissions. This work has been completed and audited by The Climate Partners, a third party company to ensure accuracy and efficacy.
What gains has Nimans made across Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions?
A major highlight has been the transition of all gas supply to RGGO (Renewable Gas Guarantees of Origin) certified gas. This strategic shift has eliminated a substantial contributor to our CO2 output, marking a milestone achievement in our overall Net Zero journey. By choosing this renewable energy source we’ve substantially reduced our greenhouse gas emissions associated with heating and other gas-dependent operations. This change alone has propelled us significantly closer to our Net Zero targets.
While the switch to RGGO-certified gas is our most notable accomplishment, it’s important to note that this is part of a broader sustainability strategy. We have already moved to 100 per cent renewable electricity sourcing, and 100 per cent of our general and plastic waste is converted to energy, while 100 per cent of our cardboard is recycled into more cardboard.
What are the main challenges you face when implementing green strategies?
We recognise the challenge posed by our current hybrid working model with staff typically now in the office three days a week. As people gradually return to the office more frequently we’re strategically timing this rollout to align with increased on-site presence. This approach not only advances our sustainability objectives but also adapts to evolving work patterns, ensuring maximum impact and utilisation of the EV charging facilities as office attendance grows.
What other initiatives is Nimans introducing to progress its green agenda?
To advance our Net Zero strategy and continue minimising CO2 output we are planning to install StEVie electric vehicle chargers in our car park. This initiative aims to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles, reduce emissions associated with commuting and business travel, and demonstrates our commitment to our One Plan Sustainability Programme. By providing convenient charging facilities, we’re not only supporting our employees in making greener choices but also extending our environmental responsibility to our visitors.