The Group aims to reduce emissions across its value chain and proactively manage the transition to a lower-carbon economy.

The Board has set ambitious goals around emissions reduction and sustainable forestry and the business has already taken big steps, including eliminating almost all single-use plastic in its packaging of gifts.

Goal 1:  Reduce operational greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1 and 2) by at least 50% by 2030, and achieve at least a 90% reduction by 2050, in each case offsetting any remaining emissions and using FY20 as the baseline year.

Goal 2:
  Obtain commitment from suppliers representing 67% of Scope 3 emissions to set net zero targets Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) criteria by April 2030 and reduce Scope 3 emissions intensity by 97% tCO2e/£1m of Gross Profit by 2050, using FY22 as the baseline year.

Goal 3:
 Reforest at least 330 hectares of woodland by the end of calendar year 2025.

Net zero operational carbon emissions

The Group is committed to: (a) reduce absolute emissions arising from its own operations (Scope 1 and Scope 2) by at least 50% by 2030 versus total emissions of 677tCO2e in the baseline year of FY201,2; and (b) offset any emissions that cannot be reduced.  This has been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

In FY23, the Group’s total Scope 1 and 2 emissions were 531tCO2e, (FY22: 548tCO2e) representing a reduction of 22% from FY20 baseline1 emissions of 677tCO2e in FY20. The Scope 1 and 2 baseline validated by the SBTi was for total emissions of 635tCO2e at Moonpig and Greetz in FY201, which has been re-calculated for the acquisition of Experiences. On a comparable basis with the original baseline, relevant emissions in FY23 were 504tCO2e (FY22: 518tCO2e).

The reduction in emissions was driven by moving to two new fulfilment sites with high environmental standards (including a BREEAM Excellent-rated facility in the UK and a Netherlands facility retrofitted in line with best practice) and making continuous improvements such as the use of LED lighting sensors, energy-efficient IT equipment procurement and onsite electric vehicles. Additionally, we procured a renewable electricity tariff at our Amsterdam office and Almere operational facility in the Netherlands.

In FY23, we offset unavoidable Scope 1 and 2 emissions from the previous fiscal year by delivering finance to emission reduction projects. These projects help support the transition to a low carbon global economy and are independently verified to ensure emissions reductions are occurring. This ensures the highest environmental integrity in our work to have an immediate, positive impact on the climate.

For FY24, we have updated this goal: we aim to reduce our operational greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1 and 2) by at least 50% by 2030, and achieve at least a 90% reduction by 2050, in each case offsetting any remaining emissions and using FY20 as the baseline year.

In FY24 we plan to conduct energy audits to identify energy efficiency solutions for high consumption areas.

Reducing value chain emissions

We have measured Scope 3 emissions for our baseline year of FY221 at 80,928tCO2e and 433tCO2e/£1m of Gross Profit. We have set out information on emissions by category and measurement methodologies at pages 41 to 44 of our FY23 Annual Report and Accounts (FY23 ARA).

We have set a long-term goal to reduce Scope 3 emissions by 97% tCO2e/£1m of Gross Profit by 2050. We plan to obtain commitment from suppliers in setting emissions reduction targets aligned with SBTi criteria. By April 2030, we aim for suppliers covering 67% of our Scope 3 emissions to have such targets in place.

As part of our process of measuring value chain emissions, we held workshops with key suppliers to introduce carbon foot printing and tools for capturing emissions data.

Our GHG emissions disclosure (on pages 41 to 42 of the FY23 ARA) includes details of our Scope 3 categories, our organisational and operational boundaries, and the methodologies we use to measure value chain emissions.

Reforestation

The Group is committed to reforest at least 330 hectares of woodland by the end of calendar year 2025. The Group relies on wood pulp to make its products and therefore aims to be “forest positive”. This means that we will plant more trees than we use in our operations and value chain.

In FY23, we achieved 46% cumulative delivery against this five-year goal (FY22: 20%). In partnership with Tree-Nation, we planted 85 hectares of woodland, comprising of 99,000 trees (FY22: 106,000). This is in addition to any offsetting of emissions conducted within our other goals.

Tree-Nation enabled us to focus planting activity in ecologically sensitive areas and safeguards the long-term impact of tree planting by managing the forests. In FY23 we contributed to projects in Madagascar, Nepal, Tanzania, Columbia, Thailand, India and the UK.

In FY24 the Group intends to plant a further 66 hectares of forest.

1 For Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, the baseline year is FY20 and this has been validated by the SBTi. The FY20 baseline has been re-calculated for FY20 emissions at Experiences, following the acquisition of that segment. For Scope 3, the baseline year is FY22, calculated to include FY22 Experiences data.

2 Scope 2 emissions are calculated using the “location-based” method. For comparatives using the “market-based” method, see page 41 of the FY23 Annual Report and Accounts.