Paxton explains why sustainability matters in security


James Thorpe
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Paxton discusses its journey towards becoming a net zero company, emphasising the importance of sustainability within the security industry.
The UK has set out policies and proposals for decarbonising and reaching net zero by 2050, a global target set by the Paris Agreement. It requires efforts from all sectors of the UK economy to achieve.
In recent years, the industry has seen an increase in reducing its carbon footprint and developing more sustainable products.
As manufacturers, we have to be proactive and adapt to changes in the business environment to stay at the forefront of the industry.
According to the United Nations, net zero means the balance between carbon emissions produced and carbon emissions removed from the atmosphere.
When the carbon we remove from the atmosphere is more than the amount we emit, we reach net zero.
Limiting carbon emissions is at the top of the global agenda, from countries to businesses and individuals. This has shifted consumer behaviour towards brands that care about the future of our planet.
Consumer choice
In L.E.K. Consulting’s 2024 Global Consumer Sustainability Survey, of the consumers surveyed from ten countries around the world, 67% said sustainability is important and an integral part of their lives.
In the UK, US and Australia, three markets the firm originally surveyed in 2019, half said sustainability was important to them.
The figure has increased to 62% in the latest report.
Looking at greenhouse gas emissions data published by Climate Watch, industrial processes have been in the top five sectors that emit the most carbon.
It is vital for manufacturers to reduce carbon footprints.
Our people and our customers
As an international technology manufacturer, we recognise our impact on the environment will become bigger as we grow.
Limiting environmental impact and reducing emissions matters to the team at Paxton and to our customers.
In our global installer survey, we asked customers their views on sustainability.
Over half of the installers surveyed told us they are looking to limit environmental impact. They are also seeing a real increase in requests for eco-friendly products from customers.
At Paxton, we operate with long-term goals and plans in mind.
One of our company values is to be world-class in all that we do.
This encompasses everything from our behaviour, working environment and culture, to our products, processes and tools.
We develop innovative technologies to protect people and assets, while taking our environmental responsibilities seriously.
This year we measured our first ever carbon footprint and have become carbon neutral certified in the UK, France, Germany and South Africa.
With guidance from Carbon Footprint Ltd, we have embarked on a clear reduction plan.
We also released the Paxton Environmental Policy, to recognise what we are doing now and the plans we have for the future to improve our carbon footprint.
Both prior to and in direct response to the carbon footprint report, we have introduced some operational changes that help us reduce emissions and take the first steps on our journey to net zero.
Shipping and travel
One of the changes that will improve our carbon footprint is the switch we have made from shipping product components via air freight to more efficient and low carbon sea freight.
The carbon footprint report identified that nearly 57% of our emissions produced in 2022 came from upstream air freight, so this has been an important adjustment.
We are also in the process of reviewing travel and transportation policies.
This will guide us to choosing more eco-friendly transportation options when delivering products to our customers and when our teams travel for business.
Currently 98% of company fleet cars are electric or hybrid vehicles with a goal to reach 100%.
Manufacturing
We make environmentally conscious decisions on our manufacturing processes where possible.
Our manufacturing facilities in Brighton and Eastbourne, Sussex, operate to meet ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications, the highest standards in quality and environmental responsibility.
These standards provide us with frameworks to enhance manufacturing processes, meet customer expectations for quality products and minimise environmental footprint at the same time.
Our products are built to last and come with a-year guarantee.
We offer a hassle-free returns policy and reuse or recycle up to 70% of any product returned to us, limiting waste wherever we can.
We encourage the use of digital product guides and customer leaflets by having them available on our website and in the free Paxton Installer app, which has all the Paxton product info installers need on site.
When we have to print, we choose fully recyclable materials to ensure lower levels of waste.
Renewable energy and workspace
According to Climate Watch, the energy sector is the largest contributor to global emissions, making up nearly three-quarters of the total.
We run all our UK buildings on 100% renewable energy tariffs and have invested in solar panels for the new Paxton Electronics Centre.
We strive to create a modern working environment for our teams.
We operate zero waste to landfill of general waste at our UK sites and our uniquely designed in-house zero waste café uses packaging that is biodegradable.
We also utilise our access control systems and motion detector sensors to control lighting across our facilities, making sure they are switched off when the buildings are empty.
Offsetting carbon
Alongside implementing operational changes, we invested in global projects that prevent carbon from reaching the atmosphere and that best reflect company values – helping to provide safe water at a project in Zambia and investing in solar and wind farms in Thailand and India.
We are also proud to sponsor the Freedom Flight, an initiative dedicated to accelerating the development of the first zero carbon 100+ seater passenger flight from London to New York.
Additionally, this autumn, our teams are invited to take part in planting a tree in the UK for every employee globally.
Limiting environmental impact is critical to the future and we all need to work together to find ways to reduce our carbon emissions.
We have taken the first steps to improve our own carbon footprint and embark on our journey to become a net zero company.
It is something we plan to do well in advance of the 2050 target.