How we measure what matters and hold ourselves accountable

How we measure what matters and hold ourselves accountable

By David Hanney

Sustainability isn't a marketing line. It's something we measure, report on, and build into how we work. We use globally recognised frameworks to stay accountable, improve year on year, and share what we're learning along the way.

We also ask you what matters most. Every year, we hold a sustainability consultation to check we're focused on the right priorities and making progress in ways that resonate with your concerns. Your feedback directly shapes our decisions.

Quick links

Certified B Corp

We became a certified B Corp in 2020 and use the B Impact Assessment to guide our priorities across the business — from employee ownership and governance to supply chain ethics and environmental performance.

  • Our current B Corp score is 122.6 which is an increase of 27.4 points on our previous assessment.
  • Our next assessment is due in 2027.

We disclose areas where we’re improving, and use our internal Sustainability Group (which includes staff from across Alpkit) to review our score and set improvement targets.

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UN Sustainable Development Goals

The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and planet.

While we’re a small business, we take these global goals seriously — and our day-to-day decisions use this framework as a handrail. From promoting responsible consumption through repair and reuse (Goal 12), to supporting climate action via science-based targets (Goal 13), fair wages and ethical supply chains (Goal 8), and community access to the outdoors (Goal 3), the SDGs help guide our ambition. In all we see 9 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals as being directly applicable to use. We use them as a reference point in our impact reporting, helping us stay accountable to progress that matters beyond our walls..

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Living Wage Foundation

We're an accredited Living Wage Employer. That means everyone who works for Alpkit, across stores, warehouse and HQ, earns at least the Real Living Wage — not just the government minimum wage.

We're committed to keeping this in place even in difficult trading years, and support our suppliers to explore Living Wage audits in future.

Follow this link to our Pay And Benefits section of our website

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Ethical Consumer Magazine

Alpkit is rated a Best Buy by Ethical Consumer Magazine, placing us among the UK’s most environmentally and socially responsible outdoor brands.

They review areas like supply chain transparency, carbon reduction, tax conduct, and animal welfare.

Follow this link to learn more

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Working with Nottingham Trent University

We collaborate with Nottingham Trent University on sustainability research and student-led projects. From product innovation to lifecycle analysis, it’s a valuable way to challenge our assumptions and help develop the next generation of sustainable designers.

Read more about our projects with Nottingham Trent Uni.

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Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi)

We’ve set ourselves ambitious, SBTi validated, targets to reduce our Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 46% by 2030 and achieve genuine Net Zero by 2050. These targets are verified with the Science-Based Targets initiative.

It means cutting our Scope 1–3 emissions in line with what climate science says is necessary to limit global heating to 1.5°C.

We’re focused on reducing emissions at source, not buying our way out of the problem.

Our carbon intensity has reduced by 46% since 2019 and our average kg CO2e per order has reduced by over 35%. Find out more following this link.

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Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG)

We use the GHG Protocol and the official UK Government emissions data to calculate our carbon footprint. This includes:

  • Scope 1: Direct emissions from our buildings and vehicles
  • Scope 2: Purchased electricity
  • Scope 3: Everything else — from production to shipping, customer use and end-of-life

We report our emissions intensity per order and publish cradle-to-grave impact data each year.

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GRI Reporting Standards

We use the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) framework to structure our disclosures and help customers compare what we do with other companies.

We publish a full GRI Content Index and update it annually to reflect progress, gaps, and future work.

This includes metrics on emissions, energy, waste, labour standards, governance, product responsibility and community impact.

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Annual Customer Consultation

Each year, we run a public Sustainability Consultation to ask Alpkit customers what they care about most.

It keep us honest. You tell us what matters — from fair wages to product circularity — and we use that feedback to shape our priorities and hold ourselves accountable.

We publish a summary of the consultation findings and reflect those themes in our annual Sustainability Report.

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