Farlows Group Ltd, encompassing iconic country sporting retailer Farlows and the UK's leading supplier of game and fly-fishing tackle, Sportfish who also run the idyllic Sportfish Game Fishing Centre in Reading, have announced that they have reduced their carbon footprint by 7.6% in the last year following their Planet Mark Business Certification in early 2022.

The brand achieved the Planet Mark Business Certification, an internationally recognised sustainability certification awarded to businesses acknowledging continuous progress and encouraging action, in 2022. This award saw Farlows Group Ltd commit to reducing its carbon footprint by 5% every year as part of the mission to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030. 

Prior to pledging to reduce their emissions, the Farlows Group Ltd produced an average of 60.8 tCO2e (tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent) per year – this equates to 1.9 tCO2e per employee. Since committing to cut this by at least 5% annually in a bid to help reduce their impact on the planet and society, Farlows Group Ltd have implemented steps to reduce usage of energy, water, and other resources along with minimising waste by reduction, re-use and recycling.

During the first 12 months of this commitment, the brand exceeded their goal, achieving a 7.6% reduction in emissions, resulting in a renewal of their certification for 2023 and taking them a step closer to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2030. 

Through Planet Mark, Farlows Group Ltd has helped to protect an area of endangered rainforest with Cool Earth; a charity working alongside rainforest communities to halt deforestation. 

This pledge through Cool Earth goes directly towards supporting the Asháninka community in Central Peru. Another highlight is the support of the Eden Project – an educational charity building connections with one another and the living world, working together towards a better future.

The Farlows Group Ltd believe that as a company, they are responsible for achieving the highest standards of environmental practice and for operating in a sustainable manner. As a business which is largely dependent on the external natural environment for its continuing commercial success, the Group understand that they have a duty of care for it and for safeguarding its wellbeing for future generations and are committed to encouraging suppliers, customers and all business associates and stakeholders to do the same.

Robin Philpott, CEO of Farlows Group Ltd said;

“We are very proud to have exceeded our carbon footprint reduction target and to be certified for another year by Planet Mark. That's just one step on the journey though - we have to keep up the momentum and keep reducing - we're committed to at least another 5% this year and doing our bit to try to slow climate change. We all have a duty to do what we can to make a positive difference.”

As part of their commitment to Planet Mark, and to raise awareness of what other businesses can do to reduce their carbon footprint, the Farlows Group Ltd have published a series of statements which define their commitment to sustainability:

1. Promote responsibility for the environment and communicate policies for sustainability at all levels within the workforce

2. Identify appropriate training, advice and information for staff to encourage them to develop new ideas and initiatives in support of the brands sustainability objectives

3. Implement steps to reduce usage of energy, water and other resources

4. Seek to minimise waste by reduction, re-use and recycling

5. Comply with and positively implement all relevant environmental legislation and regulation as a minimum

6. Seek to minimise use of plastics within the business and encourage suppliers to do the same

7. Maximise support for charitable and non-government organisations whose goals and operations are complementary to the brands own environmental and sustainability objectives

8. Review environmental and sustainability policies and objectives at least annually in consultation with staff and other stakeholders

More information on the measures Farlows Group Ltd are taking to support the environment can be found at https://www.sportfish.co.uk/charities.

For more information on Farlows, please visit https://www.farlows.co.uk/about-us