Our Sustainability Policy
1
Our vision
We aim to build a global net-zero economy, led by climate-conscious businesses. Our goal transcends the decarbonisation of individual companies; we aim to shift the economy itself towards sustainable practices.
Achieving sustainability at such a scale is the difference between a world of manageable change and a planet unfit for most economic activities. This requires companies to take a sustainable turn, including us. We know that those companies who will be better prepared will endure whereas those that chose to ignore the changes will struggle.
Achieving sustainability at such a scale is the difference between a world of manageable change and a planet unfit for most economic activities. This requires companies to take a sustainable turn, including us. We know that those companies who will be better prepared will endure whereas those that chose to ignore the changes will struggle.
Plan A’s approach to sustainability and strategy is grounded in science, taking its roots in our planet's mineral and biological boundaries. We acknowledge that sustainable growth is not just compatible with but essential to future prosperity. To make sense of this all, we have laid out a theory of change.
Our theory of chance
A Theory of Change is a framework that articulates the connections between activities, outputs, outcomes, and impacts. It helps organisations map out the road to impact and anticipate potential outcomes of their actions. The model can be read from top to bottom or bottom-up, from the topline goal to all current interventions and stakeholders.
Data and technology emerge as foundational conditions for success, enabling accurate objective measurement, unified reporting, and targeted action on sustainability goals.
This requires a commitment to rigorous standards of corporate decarbonisation, trust restoration through exemplary conduct, and the widespread availability of sustainable solutions to achieve ambitious impact reduction goals. These are the outcomes our actions aim to achieve internally and externally.
This requires a commitment to rigorous standards of corporate decarbonisation, trust restoration through exemplary conduct, and the widespread availability of sustainable solutions to achieve ambitious impact reduction goals. These are the outcomes our actions aim to achieve internally and externally.
The theory of change connects our ultimate goal to 3 key conditions that enable this reality, based on key assumptions. We focus on corporate decarbonisation, and we do so by providing different "intervention catalysts" that we use as tools to realise those conditions. One of those tools is the exemplarity of Plan A in corporate sustainability.
1. Our main outcome is to decarbonise the economy.
2. We articulate our action around three key conditions that would collectively change parameters to decarbonise the economy: benefits, ease-of-access and awareness.
3. We define the main target of our action as private organisations and designate a main point of contact for sustainability, finance, and risk-focused professionals.
4. We provide the infrastructure for business transformation: a data layer, an engagement vehicle, a planning tool, a curation tool and a reporting tool.
5. We create reinforcement mechanisms to ensure each of these conditions is increasingly met.
Ultimately, realising the three conditions of making reporting easy, with rewards, and transparent to stakeholders, is what guides all our interventions, including the one of ensuring that Plan A performs highly across all categories of sustainability.
KEY CONDITIONS
To turn this vision into reality, we have identified three key conditions:
1. reporting and action on sustainability become straightforward,
2. that such actions deliver tangible benefits to companies,
3. all stakeholders are fully engaged and informed about the stakes of corporate sustainability.
2
Sustainability approach
We use our own software to drive internal sustainability. In doing so, we experience similar challenges as our customers and similar wins. In that, we strive to practice a sustainability that includes economic viability, social and governance dimensions to avoid any blind spot.
Our framework for sustainability is governed by principles that are informed by regulations across the EU and in the UK. Not being subject to compulsory environmental disclosures, we follow voluntary reporting standards. Below are the three priorities we have set ourselves alongside our commercial partners.
Our framework for sustainability is governed by principles that are informed by regulations across the EU and in the UK. Not being subject to compulsory environmental disclosures, we follow voluntary reporting standards. Below are the three priorities we have set ourselves alongside our commercial partners.
Companies must decouple their growth from carbon emissions.
- Plan A is working to reduce its carbon intensity and deindex its growth from its carbon emissions.
- We work collaboratively with our business partners to reduce their emissions to reduce the collective emissions bill.
Companies must be socially responsible to achieve sustainability.
- Plan A prioritises wellbeing and inclusion of all team members.
- Plan A addresses inequality, safeguards human rights and upholds international labour standards.
Companies must demonstrate sustainable leadership.
- Our leadership ensures that the company operates in compliance with laws and regulations across all jurisdictions in which it operates.
- We implement ethical business practices and transparent leadership (e.g. anti-bribery and anti-corruption policies) and strive for continuous improvement.
- We apply the principles we recommend to our clients and communicate on our sustainability journey transparently.
3
Measure data
Companies need reliable and accurate metrics and reporting to take meaningful action. Based on our priorities, we collect data using key metrics to illustrate progress towards our vision. These are some of our key indicators that track our sustainable evolution.
Energy consumption
The company's total energy is categorised by renewable and non-renewable sources.
Platform performance
Our platform’s emissions and the amount of carbon we manage.
ECSAT
The proportion of employees who are promoters of Plan A.
Representation
Our workforce's diversity across multiple dimensions.
Overall job satisfaction
Employees' sense of enjoyment with work and level of connection to the organisation.
Number of complaints
Of inappropriate workplace behaviour, including harassment or discrimination at Plan A.
Compliance with ethical standards
Adherence to ethical standards and applicable regulations, including anti-corruption measures and fair labour practices.
Supply chain management
Whether suppliers are being vetted and pass compliance standards.
As a carbon management software company, we attach particular importance to calculating our carbon footprint. We report our carbon emissions for all relevant scopes of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol publicly on a yearly basis. We use the Plan A Platform as the operating system of our carbon emissions calculations and reporting.
Our calculations follow the guidelines, categorisation and conditions set by the GHG Protocol. These calculations are, like all other calculations happening on the Plan A Platform, certified by TÜV Rheinland. We update our methodology and improve our data collection and reporting every year.
Our calculations follow the guidelines, categorisation and conditions set by the GHG Protocol. These calculations are, like all other calculations happening on the Plan A Platform, certified by TÜV Rheinland. We update our methodology and improve our data collection and reporting every year.
4
Reporting and certification
We report our sustainability activities and performance internally and externally. We collaborate with external institutions such as the AICPA for data management and security, or the B Corporation to assess our ESG performance. Our reporting architecture ensures that we communicate to each of our stakeholder categories at a periodic and predictible cadence.
Quarterly internal reporting on our ESG performance
We keep our closest stakeholders in the know of our quarterly progress on our projects and performances. We report on past project, objectives, results and upcoming key activities. This report is not public.
Yearly Emissions Report
In the first quarter of each year, we publish our carbon emissions per Scope and location. We report on our emissions publicly since 2021. This voluntary reporting exercise allows us to expand the depth of our analysis and refine our methodologies each year as well as create a track record for our progress on our environmental impact.
Triennial ESG certification from the B Corporation
Plan A is a certified B Corporation since 2021 with a score of 114.5. We are part of the Top 5% companies for Governance.
This means that we are among a class of companies who have met and exceeded rigorous environmental, social and environmental performance standards. The B Corp certification is one of the few certifications that measures a company's holistic social and environmental performance in such depth. You can explore our full profile on the B Corp website.
This means that we are among a class of companies who have met and exceeded rigorous environmental, social and environmental performance standards. The B Corp certification is one of the few certifications that measures a company's holistic social and environmental performance in such depth. You can explore our full profile on the B Corp website.
certification SOC2
Plan A has secured the SOC2 certification for its data security infrastructure. This certification ensures that our technical architecture is geared to store and process data at the highest security standards. Proof of this certification is available on demand.
6
Action
As explained above, the Sustainability Initiative focuses on 3 workstreams: carbon emissions, social responsibility, sustainable leadership. Explore each of these sections to learn more about our current and planned activities.
Émissions carbone
Goal: Plan A will successfully decouple growth from carbon emissions.
- Electricity and heating
- Business travel and commute
- Goods and services
- Green IT
- Team upskilling
Plan A has introduced policies that contribute to a reduction in carbon emissions. From operational emissions to build decisions, sustainability is a key criterion for our decision-making. Our policy writing currently focuses on the four above hotspots.
Plan A has introduced policies that contribute to a reduction in carbon emissions. From operational emissions to build decisions, sustainability is a key criterion for our decision-making. Our policy writing currently focuses on the four above hotspots.
Key actions
Each of these hotspots has a corresponding action plan to reduce its respective impact, as well as company-wide objectives for training, information sharing and operational excellence improvements.
Each of these hotspots has a corresponding action plan to reduce its respective impact, as well as company-wide objectives for training, information sharing and operational excellence improvements.
Social Responsibility
Goal: Plan A’s operations are sustainable and socially responsible.
Why? Employee wellbeing is a key determinant of economic success. Companies that prioritise the health and happiness of their employees see improvements in overall business outcomes, productivity, and workplace culture.
Plan A takes a considered and ethical approach towards its relationships with staff, clients, partners, third-parties, and broader community. Plan A has a set of policies to foster equal opportunity and inclusion in recruitment, promotion and remuneration as well as cultivate an inclusive and positive workplace culture, where everyone can belong and prevent discrimination and harassment.
These include:
- Plan A’s Health and Safety Policy
- Respectful Communications Guidelines
- Inclusive Language Guide
- Discrimination and Harassment Policy
- Career Progression Framework
While Plan A has cultivated strong bonds with its staff and communities, we can continue to build on these efforts. We also aim to make our resources and product more accessible, in line with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
Key actions
Sustainable leadership
Goal: Plan A demonstrates sustainable leadership and ethical business practices.
Why? Business ethics and integrity are core ingredients for financial success as a company. Operating ethically leads to the development of a strong reputation, promotes trust among business partners and with investors.
Plan A operates with a shared culture of integrity. As our organisation continues to grow, more sophisticated governance practices have improved our compliance and accountability. We apply these principles to ourselves and all our suppliers or partners.
Plan A’s policies and procedures embed a culture of sustainable and ethical leadership. These include:
- Anti-Bribery & Anti-Corruption Policy
- Whistleblower Policy
- Data Protection and Information Security Policies
- Company Code of Conduct
- Code of Ethics for Business Partners
- Vendor Vetting and Due Diligence Procedure
- Policy regarding International Sanctions
As a German software company, we do not compromise on privacy and data protection, following the GDPR and our privacy policy and being SOC2 certified. All employees undertake mandatory yearly training.
Plan A runs all-staff education sessions on identifying and addressing suspicious behaviour when and if it occurs. This is supported by both internal and external whistleblower channels, enabling employees and business partners to speak out if they witness a breach.
Plan A considers sustainability criteria throughout its procurement process. Sustainability considerations are embedded into supplier selection and evaluation. Third-parties commit to abide by our sustainability principles. We continuously monitors the sustainability practices of our suppliers, working collaboratively with those that need assistance to reduce their impact and improve their social responsibility.
Key actions
Our next steps
Plan A continuously reports against these metrics and actions, and on a yearly basis for emissions. We recognise that this Policy will evolve. We aim to become better each year.
We hope that this document provides transparency as well as a blueprint for other businesses to develop sustainable action putting companies on the course of success.
We hope that this document provides transparency as well as a blueprint for other businesses to develop sustainable action putting companies on the course of success.
Contact
Learn more about our sustainability process
For further information on any of the above, please contact [email protected].
