plan
Carbon Reduction Plan
Version 1.02 · Published 7 October 2026
Commitment to achieving net zero
Railway Competence Group Limited (RCG) is committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050 for its UK operations.
RCG is primarily an office-based company, with a significant proportion of its assessors working remotely. The company’s main sources of carbon emissions are expected to arise from office energy use, purchased goods and services, employee commuting, homeworking where applicable, waste generated in operations, and occasional business travel.
RCG also undertakes sporadic travel to client sites or other agreed locations to conduct psychometric testing when in-person delivery is required. Travel is not routine and is undertaken only when remote delivery is not suitable, when requested by the client, or when necessary for the effective administration of testing.
RCG will seek to reduce emissions by supporting remote working where operationally suitable, using digital systems, reducing unnecessary travel, improving office energy efficiency, reducing waste, and applying sustainable procurement principles.
Baseline emissions footprint
Baseline emissions are a record of the greenhouse gases that have been produced in the past and were produced before the introduction of any strategies to reduce emissions.
Baseline emissions are the reference point against which emissions reduction can be measured.
RCG has selected 2026 as its baseline year.
This is the company’s first formal Carbon Reduction Plan. The April 2025 – April 2026 baseline will be used as the reference point for measuring future emissions reductions and tracking progress towards net zero by 2050.
Baseline year: 2026
Additional details relating to the baseline emissions calculations:
The baseline emissions assessment for 2026 will include emissions arising from RCG’s office-based operations, remote working arrangements, and relevant Scope 3 activities.
The following emission sources will be included where applicable:
Scope | Description |
|---|---|
Scope 1 | Direct emissions from sources owned or controlled by the company, such as company-owned / leased vehicles or direct fuel use, where applicable. |
Scope 2 | Indirect emissions from purchased electricity used in office premises. |
Scope 3 | Relevant indirect emissions, including business travel, employee commuting, waste generated in operations, purchased goods and services, upstream transportation and distribution where relevant, and homeworking where applicable. |
As an office-based company, RCG does not expect to have significant Scope 1 emissions unless direct fuel use or company-controlled / leased vehicles are identified during the reporting process.
A significant proportion of RCG’s assessors work remotely 90% +. This reduces the need for regular commuting to office premises and supports lower operational emissions compared with a fully office-based delivery model. Homeworking emissions, where applicable and measurable, will be considered as part of Scope 3 emissions reporting.
Business travel is expected to be occasional and mainly linked to the delivery of psychometric testing, client site visits, in-person assessments (EPA), or other operational requirements. These travel emissions will be recorded as part of Scope 3 business travel.
Where complete activity data is not available during the first reporting year, reasonable estimates will be used. RCG will improve the quality and completeness of emissions data in future reporting years.
Baseline year emissions:
Emissions Total (tCO2e)
Scope 1 00
Scope 2 1.08324
Scope 3 (included sources) 8.01646
Total emissions 9.09970
Current emissions reporting
Reporting year: 2026
Emissions TOTAL (tCO2e)
Scope 1 00
Scope 2 1.08324
Scope 3 (included sources) 8.01646
Total emissions 9.09970
Emissions reduction targets
To support its commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2050, RCG has adopted the following carbon reduction targets.
RCG will aim to:
Reduce total measured emissions against the 2026 baseline over time.
Reduce avoidable business travel by using remote meetings and remote delivery where suitable.
Reduce emissions from necessary business travel by selecting lower-carbon travel options where practical.
Continue supporting remote working for assessors where operationally suitable.
Reduce regular commuting requirements where remote working is appropriate.
Improve office energy efficiency.
Reduce waste generated through office operations.
Reduce paper use through digital processes.
Improve the accuracy and completeness of Scope 3 emissions data year-on-year.
Consider environmental performance when selecting suppliers and purchasing goods or services.
Use its ISO 14001 environmental management system to support the monitoring and improvement of environmental performance.
RCG projects that its carbon emissions will decrease over the next five years as a result of improved monitoring, energy efficiency measures, remote working, travel reduction, sustainable procurement and waste reduction.
The company aims to reduce emissions to 7.2792 by 2031, representing a reduction of 20% against the 2026 baseline.
Carbon reduction projects
Completed carbon reduction initiatives
As 2026 is the baseline year, RCG is at the start of its formal carbon reduction reporting process. However, the company already operates in a relatively low-carbon manner due to its office-based structure, remote working arrangements, and limited operational travel requirements.
The following measures are currently in place or have already been adopted.
Certified management systems
RCG operates certified management systems covering quality, environmental management, occupational health and safety, and information security.
The company is certified to:
• ISO 9001 - Quality Management
• ISO 14001 - Environmental Management
• ISO 45001 - Occupational Health and Safety Management
• ISO 27001 - Information Security Management
These certifications demonstrate RCG’s commitment to structured governance, continual improvement, risk management, documented procedures, leadership accountability, and effective management controls.
In particular, ISO 14001 supports the company’s approach to environmental management and provides a framework for identifying environmental impacts, setting objectives, monitoring performance, and improving environmental outcomes.
RCG will use its certified management systems to support the delivery of its carbon reduction measures, including office energy efficiency, business travel management, sustainable procurement, waste reduction, staff awareness and improved emissions data collection.
Remote working by assessors
A significant proportion of RCG’s assessors work remotely. This reduces the need for regular commuting to office premises and supports lower operational emissions compared with a fully office-based delivery model.
Remote working enables assessors to undertake administrative work, reporting, assessment preparation, candidate communication, and internal meetings without unnecessary travel.
RCG will continue to support remote working where it is operationally suitable, while recognising that some travel may still be required for client site visits, in-person assessments, psychometric testing or other operational needs.
Homeworking emissions, where applicable and measurable, will be considered within Scope 3 emissions reporting.
Office-based working practices
RCG operates primarily from an office-based environment supported by remote working arrangements. The company uses digital systems and office-based processes to reduce unnecessary physical documentation, travel, and resource use.
Measures include:
Use of digital documents where practical.
Use of email and electronic communication instead of paper-based correspondence.
Use of online meetings where suitable.
Avoid unnecessary printing.
Responsible use of office equipment and energy.
Use of electronic records where appropriate.
Remote access to systems where suitable and secure.
Business travel management
RCG only undertakes business travel where there is a clear operational need. This includes occasional travel to deliver psychometric testing at client sites or other agreed locations.
Travel is sporadic and is only undertaken where remote delivery is not suitable, where the client requires in-person delivery, or where in-person attendance is necessary for the effective administration of testing.
To reduce the impact of business travel, RCG already seeks to:
Avoid unnecessary journeys.
Use remote meetings where suitable.
Plan appointments efficiently.
Combine site visits where practical.
Use public transport, rail or shared travel where practical.
Limit overnight stays where they can reasonably be avoided.
Record business mileage, rail travel, taxi use, hotel stays and other relevant travel activities where practical.
Digital and remote delivery
Where appropriate, RCG uses remote communication and digital systems to reduce the need for physical travel. This includes online meetings, digital correspondence, remote working practices, and secure digital access to business systems.
Digital and remote delivery supports lower emissions by reducing unnecessary travel, paper use and resource consumption.
Waste and resource efficiency
RCG aims to minimise waste from its office-based operations.
Measures include:
Reducing paper use.
Reusing office materials where practical.
Recycling paper, cardboard, packaging, and other office waste facilities are available.
Using electronic records where appropriate.
Avoiding unnecessary purchases.
Disposing of electronic equipment responsibly where applicable.
Encouraging efficient use of office consumables.
Future carbon reduction initiatives
RCG intends to implement further measures to reduce emissions and improve environmental performance.
1. Improve emissions data collection
RCG will improve the quality of emissions data collected each year.
This will include monitoring:
Office electricity use.
Office heating or fuel use where applicable.
Business mileage.
Rail, taxi, hotel and other business travel.
Travel associated with psychometric testing and End-point assessments.
Employee commuting.
Homeworking emissions where applicable and measurable.
Waste generated from office activities.
Purchased goods and services.
Upstream transportation and distribution where relevant.
Improved data collection will allow the company to set more accurate reduction targets and measure progress more effectively.
2. Continue supporting remote working
RCG will continue to support remote working by assessors and other personnel where it is suitable for the role and operational requirements.
This will help to:
Reduce regular commuting.
Reduce demand for office-based resources.
Support flexible working arrangements.
Reduce the need for unnecessary internal travel.
Enable administrative work, reporting, and preparation to be completed remotely.
The company will continue to balance remote working with the need to attend client sites, assessments, or testing sessions where in-person attendance is required.
3. Reduce business travel emissions
RCG will continue to reduce emissions from business travel by applying a travel hierarchy.
The preferred approach will be:
Use remote meetings or remote delivery where suitable.
Use remote or online psychometric testing where suitable and acceptable to the client.
Combine appointments or site visits where possible.
Use public transport or rail where practical.
Use car sharing where appropriate.
Use private car travel only where it is necessary or the most practical option.
Where in-person psychometric testing is required, RCG will plan travel efficiently to reduce the number of journeys and associated emissions.
4. Improve office energy efficiency
RCG will seek to reduce emissions from office energy use by:
Switching off lights, monitors, printers and other equipment when not in use.
Reviewing heating and cooling settings.
Using energy-efficient equipment where replacement is required.
Considering LED lighting where not already installed.
Encouraging staff to follow energy-saving practices.
Reviewing energy use annually where data is available.
5. Consider renewable electricity
Where commercially and operationally feasible, RCG will consider switching to a renewable electricity tariff or working with its landlord or office provider to understand whether renewable electricity is available for the premises.
6. Reduce paper and printing
RCG will continue to reduce paper consumption by:
Using digital forms and documents where practical.
Using electronic signatures where acceptable.
Storing records electronically where appropriate.
Printing only where necessary.
Using double-sided printing is unavoidable.
Encouraging electronic communication with clients, candidates, and suppliers.
7. Reduce waste
RCG will reduce waste generated by office activities by:
Reusing office supplies where practical.
Recycling paper, cardboard, plastics, printer cartridges and electronic waste where facilities are available.
Avoiding single-use items where possible.
Reducing unnecessary purchasing.
Disposing of electronic equipment responsibly.
Reviewing waste management arrangements where data is available.
8. Improve sustainable procurement
RCG will consider environmental factors when purchasing goods and services.
This may include:
Selecting suppliers with environmental policies or carbon reduction plans where appropriate.
Purchasing energy-efficient office equipment.
Choosing durable goods with longer lifespans.
Reducing unnecessary deliveries.
Considering recycled or recyclable products.
Reviewing supplier environmental credentials for significant purchases.
Considering digital alternatives before purchasing physical materials.
9. Use ISO 14001 to support continual improvement
RCG will use its ISO 14001 environmental management system to support the implementation of carbon reduction measures.
This will include:
Identifying relevant environmental aspects and impacts.
Setting environmental objectives where appropriate.
Monitoring performance.
Reviewing compliance obligations.
Promoting continual improvement.
Embedding environmental considerations into business processes.
The company’s wider certified management systems, including ISO 9001, ISO 45001 and ISO 27001, will support governance, risk management, leadership accountability, documented controls and secure digital working.
10. Staff awareness and engagement
RCG will promote carbon reduction awareness among employees, assessors and relevant workers.
This may include:
Encouraging staff and assessors to reduce energy use.
Encouraging lower-carbon commuting where practical.
Promoting responsible printing and waste reduction.
Encouraging sustainable travel choices.
Sharing updates on carbon reduction progress.
Encouraging efficient planning of client visits and assessment-related travel.
Promoting the use of remote meetings and digital systems where suitable.
Declaration and sign off
This Carbon Reduction Plan has been completed in accordance with PPN 006 and associated guidance and reporting standard for Carbon Reduction Plans.
Emissions have been reported and recorded in accordance with the published reporting standard for Carbon Reduction Plans and the GHG Reporting Protocol corporate standard and uses the appropriate government emission conversion factors for greenhouse gas company reporting.
Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions have been reported in accordance with SECR requirements (where required), and the required subset of Scope 3 emissions have been reported in accordance with the published reporting standard for Carbon Reduction Plans and the Corporate Value Chain (Scope 3) Standard.
This Carbon Reduction Plan has been reviewed and signed off by RCG board of Directors.