We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint and improving our energy efficiency in response to the climate emergency.

Under the SECR regulations Urdd Gobaith Cymru is required to report annually on greenhouse gas emissions from Scope 1 and 2 Electricity, Gas and Transport. 

The Urdd’s Board of Trustees have agreed that we must reduce our energy consumption, find renewable energy alternatives, and look critically at our climate impact across all our provision and to take action

We have a plan in place to achieve Net Zero by 2050.

Net Zero is the term used when a company has reduced their greenhouse gas emissions as close to zero as possible, with the remaining (residual) emissions being removed from the atmosphere by carbon offsetting.

Our plan is in line with the 2015 Paris Agreement which aims to keep the global temperature rise below 1.5C degrees. This means that fundamental and significant changes will need to be made.

Our plan will align to the Science Based Targets for our provision of services and supply chain (scope 1, 2 & 3).

Our Net Zero Target

Our annual SECR report identifies that the Residential Centres at Llangrannog and Glan-llyn produce the majority of our greenhouse gas emissions and consume the most energy.

By increasing our use of renewable energy and improving energy efficiency, we aim to reduce our carbon emissions for Scope 1 and 2 by 90%, and our Scope 3 emissions by 97% by 2050 at the latest.

Our Actions

We will publish the SECR annual assessment of our carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions.

Energy efficiency and emissions actions for our buildings, includes:

• Improving the building insulation and lagging at the residential Centres at Llangrannog and Glan-llyn
• Pentre Ifan, the Urdd's first environmental camp (opening December 2022). has been redevelopment to minimise carbon emissions and energy
• increasing our use of renewable energy by continued investment in solar panels to generate electricity.
• Switching to a renewable electricity supplier
• Removing of over door heaters
• Addressing in the long term replacement for LPG
• Reducing waste

Extending our plan to include Scope 3

• In 2022, we will conduct our baseline audits for scope 3 emissions, which includes all other indirect emissions that occur as a result of purchases to deliver our provision.
• Reduce the use of plastic and paper and waste at the Urdd National Eisteddfod and at other events.

Off setting

We will work with the Woodland Trust in Wales and other partners to put in place meaningful and measurable offsetting actions as a secondary action to improving energy efficiency and reducing emissions.  

Changing behaviours

As Wales’s largest third sector employer we will champion positive behaviours that will inspire our members, volunteers, and suppliers to improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions. This will include:

• A list of behaviour changes for staff and volunteers to adopt
• Continued use of digital technology, e.g., online meetings

Campaigning and education

At Pentre Ifan, and through our provision, there will be activities to further learning and understanding of the climate emergency, which will empower young people to consider the impact of their actions on climate change.