Net Zero 2050 Policy

At Westwood Homecare, we believe that caring for people also means caring for the world around us. Good health doesn’t stop at the doorstep; it begins with the environment we live in. We recognise that the health of our communities is linked to the health of our planet. By reducing emissions and promoting a greener way of working, we not only protect the planet but also help create cleaner air, healthier communities, and better wellbeing for the people we care for.

As a domiciliary care provider, our services depend on carers travelling between service users’ homes, and we know this creates emissions. We are committed to addressing this challenge in a transparent and responsible way.

Our Commitment

Westwood Homecare (NW) Ltd is committed to achieving Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This pledge is aligned with:

The Uk Goverment's Net Zero Strategy.

The Paris Climate Agreement target to limit global warming to 1.5°C.

Susatinability priorities within the NHS Green Plan.

We will reduce emissions wherever possible, and only use offsetting for the small proportion of residual emissions that cannot be eliminated.

Understanding Our Impact

We have identified our main sources of carbon emissions as:

Carer travel between service users' homes (our largest footprint).

Office operations (heating, lighting, electricity, IT).

Procurement of goods and services (uniforms, PPE, office supplies).

Key Focus Areas & Actions

Carer Travel & Transport
Supporting Low-Emission Choices:

While most of our carers use their own vehicles, we will encourage and support the gradual adoption of hybrid and electric vehicles where possible. Our ambition is for at least 30% of carer mileage to be in low-emission vehicles by 2035, increasing steadily towards 2050, subject to affordability and national infrastructure.

Carer Travel & Transport
Route Optimisation & Localised Runs:

Using our electronic mapping and rota scheduling systems / software, we will continue to organise calls in a way that reduces unnecessary mileage and concentrates care runs within smaller localised areas. This will allow carers to be able to walk between some calls, reduce stress caused by travel, and support more sustainable care delivery.

Carer Travel & Transport
Accessible Travel Options:

We will encourage the use of public transport where practical, and allow more realistic time between calls to support this.
We have signed up to the UK Government Cycle to Work Scheme, making it easier for staff to access bicycles and electric cycles as an alternative to car travel.

Carer Travel & Transport
Green Travel Culture

We will promote fuel-efficient driving techniques, encourage localised call scheduling to minimise long-distance travel, and explore partnerships that make low-emission travel more accessible (such as car clubs, shared charging points, or green vehicle schemes).

Energy
& Offices

Move all branches to 100% renewable electricity by 2030.
Reduce office energy use by 20% by 2030 through efficiency measures (LED lighting, smart heating, insulation).
Reduce paper use and reliance on travel through digital care systems, online software and remote meetings.

Procurement & Supply Chain

Engage suppliers who demonstrate sustainable practices.
Prioritise uniforms, cleaning products, and consumables with lower environmental impact.
Incorporate sustainability criteria into all major procurement decisions.

People
& Culture

Train staff on sustainability practices, including fuel-efficient driving, energy savings, and waste reduction.
Encourage innovation by carers and office teams in identifying new ways to cut emissions.
Recognise sustainability contributions in staff development and awards.

Offsetting Residual Emissions

Where emissions cannot yet be eliminated, invest in verified carbon offset projects such as UK tree planting, renewable energy schemes, or community rewilding projects.

Milestones & Targets

By 2027

Publish our first full carbon emissions baseline and Net Zero roadmap, including carer travel, offices, and procurement.

By 2030

Achieve at least a 30% reduction in total operational emissions compared to our baseline year, focusing on travel efficiency (smarter scheduling, local call scheduling, fuel-efficient driving) and office energy savings.

By 2035

Ensure all offices run on 100% renewable electricity and reduce office-related emissions by 50%.

By 2040

Work towards enabling and incentivising staff to transition to low-emission and electric vehicles, with an ambition for at least 50% of carer mileage to be in low-emission vehicles, subject to national infrastructure and affordability.

By 2050

Achieve full Net Zero across all operations, with residual emissions offset through high-quality, verified projects.

Governance & Transparency

Leadership Oversight

Responsibility for implementing this policy rests with our Senior Management Team, with updates provided to the Board on progress.

Annual Review

We will review our Net Zero plan each year to ensure it remains realistic, aligned with sector developments, and responsive to new technologies.

Public Reporting

A short annual update will be published on our website, summarising the actions we have taken and the progress we are making towards our milestones.

Continuous Reporting

We will refine our targets at least every three years, to reflect improvements in green technology, government policy, and best practice in the homecare sector.

Our Social Value Promise

''Reducing our carbon footprint is not just about compliance, it is about protecting health and wellbeing. A cleaner environment means cleaner air, healthier communities, and a better future for the families who trust us with their care. It also ensures Westwood Homecare remains resilient and responsible for the decades ahead.

At Westwood Homecare, care is at the heart of everything we do, for our clients, our staff, and our planet. Our Net Zero 2050 policy is our promise to deliver compassionate care in a way that is sustainable, responsible, and future-focused.”