AGC’s B Corp™ Impact Report: Progress in Sustainability, Inclusivity, and Responsible Design Milestones

Accouter Group of Companies (AGC), Britain’s first B Corp™ certified interior design collective, is pleased to announce the release of its B Corp™ Impact Report, to share the milestones achieved across sustainability, inclusivity, and responsible business practices during 2024. With a continued focus on environmental responsibility and social impact, AGC remains dedicated to evolving its practices in a way that aligns with its core values.Since receiving B Corp™ certification in January 2023, AGC has continued to improve and prioritise their environmental responsibility and social impact. The Impact Report provides a clear overview of AGC’s progress toward these goals, highlighting the steps the company has taken to advance its work.

Sustainability

AGC’s commitment to sustainability continues to be a central focus of its operations. The Impact Report reflects several important steps taken throughout the year:
– Carbon Neutral: Over the past two years, AGC has successfully offset a total of 176.5 tonnes CO2e of carbon emissions, achieving carbon neutrality for both 2022 and 2023. Additionally, AGC achieved a 7% reduction in like-for-like emissions from 2022 to 2023.
– Leading the Way in Science-Based Climate Action: AGC became the first interior design collective to have its near-term greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). As part of this global collaboration between CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, the We Mean Business Coalition. the World Resources Institute (WRI), and World-Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), AGC has committed to reducing Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 42% by 2030, using 2022 as the base year.
– Circularity in Action: AGC continues to promote circular design, notably through the roll out of new Conscious Collection projects by BoxNine7. This furniture collection has been designed to challenge the traditional preconception of what sustainable furniture looks like, and features products made from locally sourced, recyclable, and long-lasting materials. The company has also expanded its furniture rental and reuse programmes, strengthening partnerships with The Red Cross and UAL to extend product life cycles, reduce waste, and drive its rental initiative forward.
– Product Transparency: AGC has advanced its processes for capturing supplier data and improving product transparency, reinforcing its commitment to 100% traceability and responsible sourcing.
– Refreshed Sustainability Manifesto: In 2024, AGC relaunched its Sustainability Manifesto with clearer and more detailed refinements to its ‘Safeguarding environment & natural resources’ & ‘Advocating equal & respectful working conditions’ goals. Key ambitions on the manifesto include:
o 100% packaging materials to become reusable or ‘widely recyclable’.
o Zero waste to landfill and incineration.
o Commitment to 100% energy from renewable sources.
o Continued efforts to extend product life through circularity initiatives.

Collaboration

AGC is committed to working alongside others in the industry to drive positive change which will now become a key focus:
– BCorps™ of the Interiors World: AGC initiated the ‘BCorps™ of the Interiors World’ community, which is a community that enables them to collaborate with other BCorp™ businesses. This facilitates knowledge sharing and promotes sustainability within the design sector.

Responsible Sourcing & Traceability

AGC has remained dedicated to sourcing materials responsibly and ensuring full traceability across its supply chain:
– 100% Traceability: AGC is working toward 100% traceability across its supply chain, ensuring all materials are responsibly sourced and fully transparent.
– Sourcing: In 2024, AGC surveyed it’s primary suppliers to assess their sustainability maturity, reflecting the company’s ongoing efforts to foster responsible sourcing practices across the industry.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

AGC continues to prioritise diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in both its internal practices and the wider design industry:
– Renewed DEI Pledge: AGC relaunched its DEI Pledge, reaffirming its commitment to fostering an inclusive culture and providing opportunities for underrepresented groups in the industry.
– Collaboration with United in Design: AGC deepened its collaboration with United in Design (UID), expanding mentorship and career development opportunities for underrepresented talent in the design sector.

Community Impact and Charitable Contributions

AGC remains committed to making a positive impact on society:
– Charitable Giving: AGC continues its commitment to donating a minimum of 2% of profits each financial year to charity. The company also supports employees by matching their AGC teammate’s donations through the charitable hours programme, which provides each team member with 24 charitable hours annually.

Looking Ahead: Continued Progress

AGC’s B Corp™ Impact Report highlights AGC’s continued commitment to improvement and innovation. Future priorities include:
– Scope 3 Emissions: AGC plans to publish their first report on Scope 3 emissions, which means evaluating all indirect greenhouse gas emissions that occur within the AGC’s value chain, but are not owned or controlled by the company itself. AGC’s ambition is to be able to report on these more regularly in future years, further enhancing its understanding of its total carbon footprint.
– Circular Design Expansion: AGC plans to further expand its Conscious Collection and increase efforts to reuse and extend the life of products.
– Industry Collaboration: AGC will work with the wider interiors industry to share knowledge, provide a support network, and educate peers on practical steps towards sustainability, helping to raise the bar for the sector as a whole.

Co-Founders’ Message

“We know that transformation doesn’t happen overnight,” said Alec Watt and Stella Gittins, Co-Founders of AGC. “It takes bold ideas, consistent action, and unwavering belief. This is just the beginning, and we are proud to share our progress in this B Corp™ Impact Report. By working together and holding ourselves to higher standards, we believe we can contribute to a positive change.”

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