Effective Date: 1st July 2024

Company: Obsidian Homecare Services Ltd, trading as Obsidian Healthcare Recruitment
Registered in the Republic of Ireland
CRO No.: 768132
Registered Office: 3rd Floor, 40 Mespil Road, Dublin 4, Ireland, D04 C2N4

1. Introduction
1.1 Obsidian Homecare Services Ltd, trading as Obsidian Healthcare Recruitment (hereafter "Obsidian Healthcare"), recognises its responsibility to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate its environmental impact across all operations in Ireland. This Carbon Reduction Plan (CRP) demonstrates our commitment to sustainability, energy efficiency, and environmentally responsible business practices.

1.2 This plan outlines the strategies, processes, and targets Obsidian Healthcare has adopted to reduce carbon emissions associated with our business activities, including recruitment operations, office facilities, travel, and the provision of healthcare services.

1.3 This CRP is prepared in accordance with the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021, the Government of Ireland’s climate policies, and industry best practices for carbon accounting and reduction in corporate settings.

2. Scope
2.1 The CRP applies to all Obsidian Healthcare operations within the Republic of Ireland, including but not limited to:
2.1.1 Head office operations, facilities, and administration.
2.1.2 Recruitment and candidate management processes.
2.1.3 Travel undertaken by staff for business purposes.
2.1.4 Energy use associated with electronic systems, servers, and office equipment.
2.1.5 Procurement of services and supplies where emissions are relevant.

2.2 All employees, contractors, and suppliers engaged by Obsidian Healthcare are expected to support and comply with the objectives of this plan.

3. Baseline Carbon Assessment
3.1 Obsidian Healthcare has established a baseline of carbon emissions for FY2025 to facilitate monitoring and improvement. This includes:
3.1.1 Scope 1: Direct emissions from any company-owned vehicles or facilities.
3.1.2 Scope 2: Indirect emissions from purchased electricity, heating, and cooling.
3.1.3 Scope 3: Indirect emissions from business travel, commuting, digital services, and procurement.

3.2 As a paperless company, emissions related to paper usage are effectively minimised, with digital systems and electronic communications replacing traditional paper workflows.

3.3 The baseline assessment follows the Greenhouse Gas Protocol for organisational reporting and has been validated internally by Obsidian Healthcare’s Sustainability Officer.

4. Carbon Reduction Targets
4.1 Obsidian Healthcare is committed to achieving measurable carbon reductions through the following targets:
4.1.1 Reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 30% by FY2030, relative to FY2025 baseline.
4.1.2 Reduce Scope 3 emissions from business travel and supplier activities by 20% by FY2030, relative to FY2025 baseline.
4.1.3 Achieve net-zero carbon emissions from office operations by FY2035 through energy efficiency, renewable energy sourcing, and verified offsets where necessary.

5. Carbon Reduction Strategies
5.1 Energy Efficiency and Facilities Management
5.1.1 Implement energy-efficient lighting, HVAC systems, and IT infrastructure within all office facilities.
5.1.2 Encourage remote working and flexible arrangements to minimise commuting emissions.
5.1.3 Use renewable energy sources for all electricity consumption where feasible.

5.2 Travel and Transport
5.2.1 Minimise business travel through video conferencing, telemedicine support, and virtual recruitment interviews.
5.2.2 Encourage staff to use public transport, cycling, or walking where possible.
5.2.3 Optimise vehicle usage for essential travel and explore electric or hybrid vehicle options for any fleet needs.

5.3 Digital Operations and Paperless Working
5.3.1 Maintain fully digital candidate and client records, eliminating paper-based processes.
5.3.2 Leverage cloud-based systems to optimise server efficiency and reduce electricity demand.
5.3.3 Implement electronic reporting and communications to replace printed materials.

5.4 Supply Chain Management
5.4.1 Work with suppliers who demonstrate commitment to carbon reduction and sustainability.
5.4.2 Include environmental criteria in procurement decisions, including energy-efficient services, low-carbon products, and sustainable packaging.

5.5 Awareness and Culture
5.5.1 Provide sustainability training and guidance for all staff to embed low-carbon practices in daily operations.
5.5.2 Establish internal KPIs to monitor compliance and encourage active participation in carbon reduction initiatives.

6. Monitoring and Reporting
6.1 Carbon emissions and progress against targets will be measured annually, using established metrics and verified methods in line with ISO 14064 standards.
6.2 Key performance indicators (KPIs) will include electricity usage, business travel emissions, and overall office carbon footprint.
6.3 Progress reports will be presented to senior management and the Board of Directors, and findings will be communicated to employees and stakeholders.

7. Governance and Accountability
7.1 The Board of Directors of Obsidian Healthcare has overall accountability for the CRP and its implementation.
7.2 A designated Sustainability Officer is responsible for:
7.2.1 Tracking emissions and identifying reduction opportunities.
7.2.2 Reviewing policies and procedures to support carbon reduction goals.
7.2.3 Coordinating staff engagement and training on sustainability practices.
7.2.4 Ensuring compliance with Irish environmental legislation.

8. Continuous Improvement
8.1 Obsidian Healthcare is committed to reviewing this Carbon Reduction Plan annually, updating targets, strategies, and methodologies as technology, legislation, and best practices evolve.
8.2 Feedback from staff, clients, and suppliers will be considered to enhance environmental performance and carbon accountability.

9. External Communication and Transparency
9.1 This Carbon Reduction Plan will be published on the Obsidian Healthcare website to demonstrate accountability and encourage stakeholder engagement.
9.2 Stakeholders, including clients, candidates, and suppliers, may request further information or clarification regarding Obsidian Healthcare’s sustainability practices by contacting the Sustainability Officer.

10. Contact Information
10.1 For questions, concerns, or reporting related to carbon reduction practices:

Obsidian Homecare Services Ltd
Trading as Obsidian Healthcare Recruitment
3rd Floor, 40 Mespil Road, Dublin 4, Ireland, D04 C2N4
Email: sustainability@obsidianhealthcare.ie
Telephone: +353 (0)1 234 5678

11. Approval and Review
11.1 This Carbon Reduction Plan has been approved by the Board of Directors of Obsidian Homecare Services Ltd and is effective from 1st July 2024.
11.2 The plan will be reviewed at least annually or sooner if required due to changes in law, operational requirements, or carbon accounting standards.