Heb Group Retains Planet Mark Certification for the Third Consecutive Year

Heb Group has successfully retained its Planet Mark Business Certification for the year ending December 2024, marking the third year in a row that we’ve been recognised for our commitment to sustainability, carbon reduction, and social value. This recertification confirms that our environmental strategy continues to deliver measurable results, both in terms of emissions data and wider community impact.

As a certified business under Planet Mark’s internationally recognised framework, we are demonstrating that sustainability is not just a policy, it’s part of our culture. We believe that carbon reduction and environmental transparency are essential to building trust, growing responsibly, and staying accountable to the communities we work in.

With operations across Yorkshire and the Northwest, including Sheffield, Leeds and St Helens, Heb Group’s environmental footprint has grown, but so too has our commitment to monitoring, managing and mitigating it. Planet Mark’s certification validates this approach and sets a benchmark for our 2025 priorities.

In 2024, our market based carbon footprint was recorded at 333.8 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent (tCO₂e), while our location based footprint stood at 329.3 tCO₂e. This equated to 3.4 tCO₂e per employee, reflecting the size and structure of our growing workforce. These figures were independently reviewed and verified through the Planet Mark framework, ensuring full alignment with the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol.

Despite these increases, we successfully retained our certification by applying previously banked carbon savings from 2023. These savings were the result of verified Scope 1 and 2 reductions in that year, and helped offset the overall increase in 2024. We also achieved high data quality scores: 18/20 for Scope 1 & 2 and 15/20 for Scope 3.

In parallel with our emissions reporting, we delivered £129,965 in verified social value over the 2024 calendar year. This was calculated in accordance with the National TOMs framework and reflects our wider contribution to communities, skills development, and employee wellbeing. From apprenticeships to charitable initiatives, we’re embedding sustainability into the way we support people, not just buildings.

We’ve aligned our work with seven of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Decent Work and Economic Growth, Affordable and Clean Energy, and Climate Action. These goals provide a clear framework for long-term impact and reinforce the connection between sustainability, equity, and community value.

We recognise that as we grow, our responsibility grows too. Over the past year, Heb Group has expanded our presence across the North, launched new services, and delivered large-scale projects, all of which have naturally increased our operational footprint. But we’re not standing still; we’re continuing to improve how we manage that impact, every step of the way.

Part of that commitment involves expanding the boundary of what we measure. In 2024, our carbon footprint included emissions from fleet travel, business mileage, utilities, waste, and parts of our procurement. By 2030, we plan to include all material Scope 3 categories, including capital goods, employee commuting, and upstream logistics, as we work toward a full carbon inventory.

We’re also engaging more actively with clients, suppliers, and industry partners to encourage sustainable choices throughout project lifecycles. From sustainable materials and low-carbon design solutions to more efficient building management practices, we’re looking at every opportunity to reduce emissions without compromising service quality.

Looking ahead to 2025, our focus will be on expanding the use of actual data across Scope 3 emissions, minimising estimations where possible, and continuing to build trust through transparent, third-party verified reporting. We’ll also begin mapping a full emissions reduction roadmap to support our long-term net zero target.

Net zero isn’t a badge or a buzzword, it’s a process and we’re committed to staying on that journey with clarity, purpose, and accountability. Planet Mark’s certification is an important marker, but our ambition goes far beyond accreditation. We’re aiming for lasting, measurable change that benefits our clients, our communities, and our environment.

This certification is part of a much bigger picture. Under our SustainHEBility programme, we’re working across all divisions, Mechanical & Electrical, Facilities Management, and Cleaning & Hygiene, to deliver more sustainable services, reduce emissions, and create value that lasts.

We invite clients, partners, and suppliers to explore our progress, learn more about our sustainability goals, and get involved. 

Whether you’re looking to reduce your own carbon footprint, improve ESG credentials, or build greener infrastructure, we’re here to collaborate and support.

To find out more, visit heb-group.com/sustainhebility