Five steps to carbon reduction

As the days lengthen, more repairers are creating their carbon footprints.

www.arieshub.co.uk now lists over 1100 repairer sites committed to the ARIES carbon reduction journey, declaring emission reduction in line with the Paris Agreement.

ARIES is an industry initiative that bridges the gap between knowing little about carbon reduction, to eventually transitioning to, or equivalent of, an international standard. For those not fully aware, we use five steps to get there, summarised as follows:

Level 1 - DAY ONE

COMMITMENT: Via the ARIES website, senior repairer management formally declare commitment to creating a 'Base Year' carbon footprint, and carbon reduction of direct (Scope 1) and indirect (Scope 2) carbon emission in line with the Paris Agreement. This can equate to roughly an 8% reduction per year, or about 33% by 2030.

Level 2 - THREE MONTHS

COMPLETE PLAN: Senior repairer management then produce their first 'Carbon Reduction Management Plan', complete and independently verified, evidencing their base year carbon footprint, funding received and projected, and investment planned. The plan is posted on the website a few months after initial 'Declaration of Commitment'.

Repairers with larger turnover are expected to have more urgent and higher ambition.

Level 3 - FOLLOWING YEAR

EVIDENCE REDUCTION: At this point, a 'Declaration of Achievement' is signed evidencing carbon reduction has been achieved against the base year result. It includes direct (Scope 1) and indirect (Scope 2) 'Absolute' carbon reduction as well as 'Intensity Ratios' covering turnover, claims, and full-time employees. This Level evidences a second independently verified 'Carbon Reduction Management Plan' which records actual carbon reduction, opportunities, funding received, investment made, and further investment planned. The 'Declaration of Achievement' is posted one year after the base year as this is when the full year following the base year can be measured. To be clear, if your base year is 2024, your first reduction year will be 2025, reported in 2026.

Level 4 - THIRD YEAR

INCLUDE SUPPLY CHAIN: A further declaration that carbon reduction has been achieved and independently verified is recorded via the website, including some elements of carbon emission outside the repairer's direct control - such as purchased goods and services, transportation, waste, etc, etc – referred to as Scope 3.

Level 5 - THIRD / FOURTH YEAR

OPTIMISE: Certified evidence of recognised international standard posted on the ARIES website signifying carbon reduction in line with Paris Agreement.

For more information visit

ARIES Framework Levels Explained | Sustainability Pathway for Repairers