Our impact
Our Sustainability Report
Our second sustainability report is a record of the journey we’ve been on over the past year, of the progress we’ve made against the targets we set ourselves, and a statement of intent for what’s next.
Inside, you’ll find out more about our journey towards net zero, the investment we’re making in our people to create a next-level TBL, and the many ways we’re supporting wellbeing within a team spread across the UK.
Once again, we’re grateful to our customers (this year it’s 75Media and Liverpool John Lennon Airport) for sharing their stories of the journey they’ve taken with us.
To talk to us about creating your own sustainability report, please get in touch.
Agreeing our priorities
TBL was born at roughly the same time as the SDGs. Although their ‘end date’ is looming, they remain the best blueprint for tackling the world’s most urgent economic, social, and environmental challenges. That’s why, for ourselves and our clients, we’ve always built sustainability strategies and targets around them.
How we set our priorities
There are 17 SDGs, and while all are important, no business can realistically prioritise them all.
In 2023, we conducted a materiality assessment aligned with the SDGs to identify where our efforts should be focused. Through data analysis and internal discussions, we pinpointed the three Global Goals most relevant to our impact and influence.
They are:
Those priorities are also consistent with three of the five priority areas of our new Support the Goals Ambition Rating:
This report outlines progress on our key priorities and targets, as well as on the SDG Ambition Rating, biodiversity, and waste.
Our commitments, priorities, targets and progress
We are dedicated to advancing the UNSDGs with a particular focus on SDG 8, 10, and 13. Below are our specific targets and the actions we’ve undertaken to achieve them:
Supports SDG Ambition Rating: Living wage
We are committed to helping our customers generate financial benefits from sustainability, as well as generating local economic growth and careers in sustainability for young people.
By 2025, 50% of our spend with our top 80% of suppliers+ will be with local businesses*.
*Local businesses will include any business within 75 miles of our employees.
Progress
26 (28%) of our top 80% of suppliers by spend are within 75 miles of our Lancaster office.
Next steps
Behind
We will conduct further research into local suppliers and pinpoint where we can make a switch to closer suppliers.
We will provide work experience for at least 2 students each year.
Progress
In 2024, we provided placements for 3 students.
Next steps
Exceeded
There were 2 placements students lined up for Jan 2025.
By 2028, we will help our customers identify sustainability opportunities worth a total of £50,000,000.
Progress
We have helped customers identify up to £13,799,000 (28% of our target) of sustainability opportunities.**
**When calculating the climate-related opportunities, some of our customers use a range of financial figures to estimate different levels of impact. E.g. financial impact is between £1,000 to £5,000. Therefore, the exact amount identified can vary by customer. As such, we report the maximum possible value of the sustainability opportunity.
Next steps
On track
We will continue to work with our customers to identify sustainability opportunities.
Supports SDG Ambition Rating: Gender equality
We are committed to helping our customers and suppliers improve equality, as well as improving the diversity of our business.
By 2028, at least half our suppliers will have public targets to improve equality.
Progress
23 of 92 suppliers (25%) have equality targets.
Next steps
On track
By 2028, at least half of our customers will have public targets to improve equality.
Progress
38% of customers have an equality target in place.
Next steps
On track
By 2025, all employees will receive DE&I training.
Progress
Every member of the team received neurodiversity training in Q4 2024.
Next steps
On track
More DE&I courses are planned for 2025 as part of TBL University.
Supports SDG Ambition Rating: Net zero
We are committed to achieving net zero in line with science, and to helping our customers and suppliers to do the same.
By 2025, 100% of our key suppliers will have a public commitment to net-zero.*
*Key suppliers defined as top 80% of suppliers by spend.
Progress
32 of 92 suppliers (35%) have net zero targets.
Next steps
On track
We will help customers set credible net-zero targets to remove 50 million tCO2e from the atmosphere by 2030.
Progress
In 2024, we supported customers in setting net-zero targets, helping remove 631,727.96 tCO₂e
Next steps
On track
We will be a net-zero business by 2040 in line with science.
Progress
We’re currently developing our net-zero roadmap.
Next steps
On track
We’ll publish it by the end of the year.
