CEF releases Sustainability & Social Value Impact Report

CEF has announced the release of its Sustainability & Social Value (SSV) Impact report for the financial year ending April 2024. The report provides insights into CEF’s sustainability & social value journey within a number of key areas including carbon reduction, supply chain management and community partnerships. The report further aims to inspire wider stakeholders as it outlines CEF’s current progress, priorities and future commitments for the coming years.

Carbon Reduction and Supply Chain Management

One of CEF’s key objectives is to manage and reduce their environmental and ethical impacts across their operations and value chain. As part of this commitment, CEF use EcoVadis to assess the sustainability efforts of their supplier partners. In November 2023, 82 CEF suppliers were engaged in the programme growing to 104 suppliers by April 2024. With this collaborative approach, CEF is targeting to have 80% of it’s spend with suppliers who have an EcoVadis rating to validate their sustainability performance.

In addition to supply chain initiatives, CEF has taken steps to reduce its operational carbon footprint by introducing Electric Vehicles (EV) vans into its operations. CEF now successfully operates 17 EV vans with feasibility assessments already underway to identify phase 2 of the roll out. Significantly, the mileage covered by EV vans has increased by over 400%, demonstrating CEF’s commitment to scaling sustainable transportation solutions.

CEF is also taking meaningful action to address the national skills gap, a critical issue given the UK’s shortage of approximately 150,000 qualified installers needed to support the transition to green energy and electrification. To help tackle this issue, CEF’s Technical Solution’s team has developed a City & Guilds accredited training programme focused on upskilling electricians. By equipping professionals to confidently work with renewables, the initiative directly supports the UK’s target of achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

Community Partnerships

CEF is committed to supporting local communities and by collaborating with organisations that share a focus on improving lives, CEF seeks to make a positive impact both within and beyond the electrical industry.

As part of this commitment, CEF has partnered with the Electrical Industries Charity (EIC) and funded the development of an online training platform for the EIC, which is designed to benefit the overall well-being of 10,000 electrical apprentices. CEF also supports Macmillan, and are committed to raising £1m to support a wide range of services and practical help to individuals and families affected by cancer, including information advice, financial assistance and emotional support. Additionally, CEF team members are also dedicated to the causes that matter to them and the local communities in which they work. Examples include CEF Isle of Man who raised £1,000 for the Forget Me Not charity, which supports people on the Island living with dementia, and CEF IT and Marketing team in Durham, which raised over £600 for Guide Dogs for the Blind. 

Health and Safety / ISO Certification

CEF established its first Health and Safety Policy in 2003, which is now reviewed annually to ensure it remains relevant and compliant, while a dedicated Health and Safety team works to monitor and promote safer working practices across the business. In addition, all CEF branches hold bi-annual health and safety meetings, providing team members with a platform to raise concerns and contribute to a safer workplace.

CEF has also introduced a new Health and Safety Management system, designed to improve accessibility and usability, making it easier for team members to navigate and engage with health and safety processes effectively.

CEF is certified to both ISO 9001 and 14001, which independently verifies the company upholds the highest standards for Quality and Environmental management across its estate.

Connor Dalton, Director of ESG, Sustainability and Health & Safety at CEF said:

“As part of our goal to be a leader in our sector, we’ve embraced the strategic imperative of sustainability & social value, not just as a business priority but as a commitment to people, the planet, and the communities we serve. Our Impact Report is a testament to collaboration, innovation, and the enduring impact we strive to create. We hope that our transparency and ambition will encourage open dialogue about the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.”

The business aims to inspire peers, customers, supplier partners and industry bodies to foster the same spirit of positive change. CEF is dedicated to proving that business growth, social considerations and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand, setting an industry standard and contributing to a more sustainable future.

Read the full report here: Sustainability & Social Value Report