Environmental responsibility

We’re committed to minimising our use of resources and ensuring our business activities continuously reduce our impact on the environment.

Energy and climate

Addressing the challenges posed by climate change is a critical task that requires everyone’s immediate attention. At Kaplan, we are committed to paving the way towards a sustainable future by guiding our learners in their sustainability efforts, implementing changes within our own operations and supply chain, and partnering with environmental organisations.

Our environment policy

Outlines our approach and commitments to environmental sustainability.

Read policy

Our science-based targets

We buy renewable electricity for locations where we control the energy supply, and we are actively working towards our SBTi-approved near-term science-based emissions reduction targets.

Our 2034 targets:

60% reduction in Scope 1 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions*
Continue active annual sourcing of 100% renewable electricity
Reduce emissions from purchasing and business travel by 35%

Our centres

With so many premises and classrooms, energy-efficient heating, cooling and lighting systems are a high priority.

Our achievements:

Borough High Street centre’s EPC rating recently improved from D to A.
Established annual environmental assessments for all our properties.

To reduce travel impact, we prioritise centre locations with strong public transport links, provide cycling info and storage, and promote virtual meetings. We also offer a Cycle to Work scheme and track commuting emissions through an annual staff travel survey.

Carbon balancing and reporting

We balance our annual direct emissions by investing in Plan Vivo-certified community-based reforestation projects, Communitree and Trees for Global Benefits.

We measure our annual carbon emissions in line with the GHG protocol and disclose them to CDP.

Who we work with

Our sustainability efforts are assessed each year by EcoVadis, where we rank in the top 15%, earning a Silver Medal. Our near-term emissions targets are validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), and we balance our direct emissions through Plan Vivo-certified community reforestation projects. We also disclose annual emissions to CDP and require that all of our printers be certified either by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or Programme for the Endorsement of Forest (PEFC).

Materials and waste

Our commitment to sustainability extends to the materials we use and the waste we produce.

Paper and printing

Although our print production operations require around 1,000 tonnes of paper each year, we ensure that we only purchase paper from renewable, well-managed sources. We prioritize eco-friendly printing by using exclusively water-based, polymer pigment, or bio-renewable inks.

We also optimise our study materials to include a mix of digital and printed resources that offer an enhanced learning experience while reducing our environmental impact. Our textbooks include labelling to encourage recycling.

Waste management

We have recycling stations across all our centres, where we have eliminated single-use plastic cups and all students are encouraged to bring a reusable water bottle to classes, with drinking water available to refill. At our two largest sites in London, Spring House and Borough High Street, our waste management¹ provider's green credentials guarantee that waste is not sent to landfill. Instead, it is used to generate electricity and heat for over 100,000 businesses and homes every year.

Our achievements:

62% of our waste is used to generate electricity and heat for businesses and homes
The remaining 38% of waste is recycled
0% of our waste goes into the land²

¹ The waste management of our other Kaplan locations is provided by the buildings' landlords.

² For centres where we control the waste management.

Sustainable procurement

Our Responsible Procurement Policy ensures that all suppliers conform to environmental, health and safety, and employment standards. We are engaging with our suppliers to encourage emissions reduction.

Our collaborative approach

Our Environment Committee, led by our Director of Partnerships and Acquisitions, Neil Burslem, is attended by leaders from all relevant teams to promote environmental action across the business. Additionally, our Environment Team offers opportunities for all interested employees to engage in environmental projects.

At Kaplan, we are committed to promoting sustainability and environmental responsibility, ensuring our actions today contribute to a better future.

*Kaplan Financial Ltd commits to reduce absolute scope 1 GHG emissions 60% by 2034 from a 2023 base year. Kaplan Financial Ltd also commits to continue active annual sourcing of 100% renewable electricity through 2034. Kaplan Financial Ltd further commits to reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions from purchased goods and services, capital goods, business travel, upstream leased assets and upstream and downstream transportation and distribution 35% by 2034 from a 2023 base year.