UM Group is committed to becoming a more sustainable organisation.
Sustainability is defined as “fulfilling the needs of current generations without compromising the needs of future generations, while ensuring a balance between economic growth, environmental care and social wellbeing”.
UM Group has rolled out a road map, which will see our business take several important steps towards increasing sustainability. The immediate requirements include developing company policies and conducting audits under the 2023 ESOS (Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme).
Once the ESOS audits have been carried out, UM Group will be seeking to identify any potential cost / energy savings that can be implemented.
Alongside this, and by working closely with companies within our Group such as UM Terminals, the business is busy scoping out its carbon footprint and looking for ways in which this can be improved, in line with various UK and International requirements.
The initial focus for the carbon footprint work are UM’s sites in the UK, such as our eight bulk liquid storage terminals, and thereafter extending to our international sites.
The decisions taken by UM Group regarding sustainability are closely aligned with Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) credentials.
Dr Nigel Jones, UM Group’s Sustainability, Quality & Technical Manager, said: “Having our approach towards ESG right is critically important to the future success of our organisation, with customers and stakeholders favouring businesses with robust ESG frameworks, governments implementing regulations that require greater transparency and consumers choosing brands for their ethical behaviour and record on climate change.
“UM Group wants to be a market-leading sustainable organisation, regarded as a responsible business and at the forefront of driving the change that is necessary to ensure a sustainable future for the sectors in which we operate.
“The roadmap we have developed is just a starting point and one which will continue to evolve over the coming months and years.”
Among the policies due to be published by UM Group is its ESG policy with its key pillars including:
- Environmental Stewardship
- Investing in our People / Supporting Local and International Charities
- Responsible Sourcing
- Integrating Sustainability into our Business.
- While overall responsibility for the sustainability strategy lies with the UM Group board, the organisation is adopting a collaborative approach involving employees and other key stakeholders.
UM Group is part of W&R Barnett, a fourth-generation family-run business which is based in Belfast. Other companies within W&R Barnett are also developing their sustainability strategies.
Dr Jones added: “We are in the early stages of developing and rolling out our sustainability action plan – and we look forward to providing regular updates during 2023.”
For more information visit www.umterminals.co.uk
