Our sustainability priorities
Our sustainability work focuses on three key priorities:
Planet: Reducing emissions across our estate and vehicle fleet, managing climate-related risks and improving biodiversity across our sites.
Resources: Taking a more sustainable approach to purchasing, supply chains and resource use.
Collaboration: Working with staff, service users, supporters and partners to deliver meaningful and lasting change.
Accessibility underpins all our sustainability work: As we develop our sustainability approach, we're working closely with people with lived experience of sight loss to help ensure any changes we make are inclusive, accessible and support the people at the heart of our mission.
Supporting our mission through the Sustainable Development Goals
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a global framework for creating a fairer, healthier and more sustainable future. At Guide Dogs, three goals align particularly closely with our charitable mission:
- Good Health and Wellbeing
- Quality Education
- Reduced Inequalities
We also support a further six goals through our environmental, operational and organisational activities. Read our Sustainability Report 2025 to learn more about how our work aligns with the SDGs.
Progress so far
Key achievements:
- 43% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions against our 2019 baseline
- 34 electric vehicle charging points across our sites
- Five sites powered by solar energy
- More than 340,000 kWh generated through solar power
- Renewable electricity and green gas used across managed sites
- First BREEAM 'Excellent' certified new-build centre opened at Redbridge.
In 2024, Guide Dogs completed its first organisation-wide carbon footprint assessment, establishing a baseline of 25,140 tCO₂e across Scopes 1, 2 and 3 emissions. This data helps us understand where our biggest impacts occur and where we can take meaningful action.
Looking ahead
We're developing a long-term decarbonisation strategy that supports both our environmental ambitions and our charitable mission.
- Our commitments include:
- Reducing emissions by 50% by 2035
- Aligning our approach with Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) principles
- Improving carbon reporting and data quality
- Continuing to embed sustainability across Guide Dogs
Our environmental goals will always be balanced with our commitment to support people with sight loss and maintain the highest standards of dog welfare.
