Kobir Ahamed, sustainability manager at commercial roofing firm BriggsAmasco, says social value schemes are finding their place in environmental strategies
INITIATING a social value strategy has become standard procedure for businesses striving to reduce their carbon footprint. But in practice, what do such initiatives mean for the environment?
It’s assumed that sustainability is solely focused on the environment, carbon management and net zero. However, social value is integral to the Five Capitals Model, a framework that was created to improve a businesses’ sustainability based on the interaction of its operations, products and services. Social capital is among the model’s quintet of interconnected capitals that includes finance, human and manufactured assets.
Essence of sustainability
Social capital, or as we shall continue to call it, social value, is achieved through developing relationships in the community that profit the environment, and not necessarily a businesses’ balance sheet. Tie-ins with organisations outside of the company boundaries, involving schools, charities and other community groups, are the very essence of sustainability. They are a long-range strategy designed to cultivate a healthier, happier planet for us all to enjoy, which I’m sure is an ambition we can all get on board with.
Social value also encompasses workplace initiatives. At BriggsAmasco, this extends to our adoption of the Carbon Literacy Project, a UN Transformative Action Programme. Earlier this year, we became the first UK roofing and waterproofing contractor to receive Carbon Literate Organisation (CLO) accreditation. The award certifies our commitment to ensuring that employees are knowledgeable about climate change and related environmental issues.
The CLO accreditation, whilst further confirming our commitment to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050, advances proof of social value’s sustainable credentials. In my opinion, to maintain the transformational changes needed to safeguard the environment’s future, it will be determined by ‘the People’, and not necessarily the politicians.
Public buy-in on the need to tackle the effects of climate change is crucial. This means educating individuals on the adjustments each of us can make, particularly in the workplace, which in the grand scheme of things, could have significant environmental benefits. If our case carries enough clarity and conviction, the people we win over today will help infuse future generations with a sustainable mindset – whatever the day’s politicians have to say on the matter.
Apprenticeships form another essential part of the social value fabric. Future sustainable projects remain vulnerable due to a shortfall in suitably trained building personnel. The CITB’s Construction Workforce Outlook forecasts that an additional 240,000 construction workers will be needed over the next five years to fulfil the UK’s building programme.
With a long-established reputation for investing in apprenticeships, BriggsAmasco is committed to mentoring a new wave of competent, confident construction workers. Once qualified, retaining our trainees is important to our future success. What they’ve learnt can one day be passed on to apprentices following in their footsteps. Our gain will also be felt by the construction industry and ultimately, the environment – everybody wins when sustainable social values are applied in the right areas.
Qualitative and quantitative benefits
Wide-reaching benefits aside, a well-executed social value strategy can also mean good business for contractors, with it playing an increasing part in the project procurement process. Housebuilders are paying more attention to the number of apprentices contractors plan to employ on a job, and how they intend to contribute to the local community. These details count towards a project’s overall environmental target. Therefore, social value initiatives can have quantitative merit.
However, the real advantage of social value is its qualitative benefits, which are accrued when businesses build bridges to their community. Whether it’s supporting a local litter pick, allotment build or cultivating woodland, here is where a company can really connect with the people it serves. BriggsAmasco volunteers have taken part in all three of the aforementioned community projects. As part of our social value activities, we have also sponsored local football clubs. We intend to fulfill many similar engagements throughout 2026 as our social value strategy fully launches. It will run alongside our 2050 carbon-neutral target campaign, which is progressing well.
Whilst it’s perhaps understandable that in some quarters, scepticism prevails on the actual substance of certain buzz phrases and objectives that have emerged in support of business sustainability. For ‘social value’ to have true worth, companies must invest time, resources and passion in becoming an ally to their community, as well as their customers. Although immeasurable in terms of pounds and its effect on the bottom line, the long-term impact of positive social engagement is potentially priceless for the environment.
