A conversation about carbon accounting with Phil Jones

Phil Jones loves data. The more the better!  With a background in carbon accounting, environmental management and IT systems, our Senior Sustainability Specialist is highly skilled in helping our clients reduce their carbon emissions.  He talks about why carbon footprints matter for businesses and what challenges they face when figuring out their Scope 3 emissions (and getting their hands on better data!). 

How did you get started with carbon accounting?

I’d worked developing IT systems for around 15 years in the UK. When I came to New Zealand, 18 years ago, I wanted to change careers and was interested in environmental matters. I studied environmental and sustainable management and started working with a company focused on environmental management, particularly New Zealand’s Resource Management Act. They had a software package for environmental compliance which was my foot in the door, through my software development background. That work expanded into carbon and climate-related consultancy.

And that increased with more businesses wanting the services? 

In the mid-2000s, organisations were ‘dipping their toes in’ – but things like the Global Financial Crisis stalled a lot from really getting involved. It became a lower priority for them. Since 2015 many more organisations are taking action and that has accelerated in the last couple of years.

 

Phil on Mt Robert, Nelson Lakes

 

Can you talk about some of the projects you've worked on?

In 2010 Auckland Council did a carbon footprint for their stormwater capital works programme. We developed a system for their suppliers to collect that data. That was interesting because it was very new for businesses in that field to provide that sort of information. I learnt about engaging with suppliers to collect data – it’s not enough to give them a spreadsheet and say, ‘please fill in the data’.

More recently I worked at the Sustainable Business Network. I developed the Climate Action Toolbox, a free online tool for small-to-medium businesses. It helps them make a start on climate action and learn where best to focus (whether that’s fuel use, electricity, freight, business travel and so on).

Can you talk about how the work you do helps clients?

The work we do is foundational for clients to meet their obligations. Organisations must show their sustainability actions as pressure has increased from their customers, stakeholders and large procurers. There's also legislation for climate-related disclosures for large organisations through the TCFD. They need to report on climate risks (and opportunities) to their operations. It directly affects a small number of organisations but will flow through their supply chains.

Our clients need good quality carbon footprints – including their supply chain Scope 3 emissions – to meet the requirements of legislation and stakeholder pressure. The work we do is strongly based on data and enables our clients to understand and reduce those emissions.

How do you get started on a project like that?

Working on something like Scope 3 emissions and collecting data for a company’s value chains can be tough. It can be a challenge to get information from all your suppliers. It’s crucial to prioritise. You can do an initial screening to understand where your carbon hotspots are. The Scope 3 Explorer is a great start for many businesses. It can show you your largest sources of emissions, which lets you focus on making the greatest difference.

Why is carbon accounting so important?

It’s an oldie but you can't manage what you don't measure. A carbon footprint is generally the best single measure for an organisation's environmental impacts. It's not perfect but it gives an indication. The challenge is how to communicate that figure. There's large scope for misinterpreting what it means – greenwashing. A well-measured carbon footprint reduces the risk of greenwashing.

 

Phil at Beachy Head, United Kingdom

 

How did you join thinkstep-anz?

I’d been aware of thinkstep-anz for a long time and I’d attended some LCANZ (Life Cycle Association of New Zealand) conferences, which were hugely interesting. Barbara was, and still is, a leading figure in that organisation. thinkstep-anz also has a very strong partnership with SBN; mainly on the circular economy. I’d always respected the ethos and type of work thinkstep-anz does. I'm also very interested in data and ‘the details’, and this role and thinkstep-anz’s work made it a good move.

What are some sustainable and unsustainable things that you’ve done recently?

I recently flew to the UK, air travel is currently not sustainable. When I was there, I travelled a lot by train. The UK has a fantastic train system and it was good to get around more sustainably.

Our household has an electric vehicle and an e-bike. And I've got a normal pedal bike. So getting back into only using those types of modes of transport has been great.

What do you get up to outside of work?

Sport has always been a real passion of mine. I have a sport science degree and I don’t play much anymore but love watching sports. My daughter's 10 and I really enjoy following her as she plays netball, hockey and swimming. That's cool to see. I'm currently fixated on the 2022 Football World Cup. Despite the politics and the problems around the hosting (in Qatar)… I can't not watch.

I also love getting out into nature. I'm part of a restoration group that looks after some of our local reserves. We have working bees for weeding, tree planting and pest trapping.