DOI: 10.5061/dryad.c2fqz6167
title: Exploring corporate engagement with carbon management techniques

description: This paper explores the different ways of managing carbon in
 organisational settings.  It uses a sequential mixed methods
 approach – literature review, discussions with sustainability thought
 leaders, and online survey and interviews with company sustainability
 leaders – to consider and critique the use of the carbon management
 hierarchy (CMH) by selected corporate bodies in the
 UK.   The derived empirical evidence base enables a
 triangulated view of current performance and potential
 improvements.  Currently, carbon management models are flawed,
 being vague in relation to the operational reductions required prior to
 offsetting and making no mention of Science Based Targets nor the role
 corporations could play in wider sustainability initiatives. An amended
 CMH is proposed incorporating wider sustainability initiatives, varying
 forms of offsets, the inclusion of accounting frameworks and an annual
 review mechanism to ensure progress towards carbon neutrality. If such a
 model were to be widely used, it would provide more rapid carbon emissions
 reductions and mitigation efforts, greater certainty in the authenticity
 of carbon offsets, wider sustainabilityimpacts and a faster trajectory
 towards carbon neutrality. 
description: The uploaded content
 reveals the online survey responses from eight organisations. The survey
 formed a part of research into corporate engagement with carbon management
 techniques. For
 the paper, an explanatory sequential mixed methods approach was employed
 using data gathered via textual, anecdotal and empirical
 evidence. Initially information was gathered via a literature review and
 discussions with sustainability thought leaders. That information then
 formed the basis of an online survey (the results of which can be seen
 within this repository) which was sent to the 32 UK companies whom have
 adopted Science-Based Targets. Once the survey results were received, a
 stratified sample of company sustainability leaders were interviewed about
 their carbon management practices. This empirical evidence was then
 triangulated and synthesized in order to inform the inductive reasoning
 used to suggest an updated carbon management hierarchy. The amendments to
 the hierarchy were discussed with three respected sustainability
 consultants and adjusted accordingly. The online survey was created via
 the University of the West of England’s BOS online survey tool. A ‘total
 survey design’ strategy was employed to ensure that all aspects – the
 frame, the size, the design, the quality of the questions, the response
 rate and the mode and quality of the data collected– were considered at
 design stage. Having a statement of purpose helps the survey designer to
 keep on track and respondents to quickly gain an understanding of the area
 under research. For this research, the statement of purpose was as
 follows: <i>“</i><i>The research will critically
 appraise whether there is a role for voluntary carbon offsetting, carbon
 onsetting and carbon insetting as carbon management techniques for UK
 companies which have adopted Science-Based Targets”.</i>
 The use of closed questions
 ensured ease of use for respondents and less ambiguity about the response
 meanings. There were, however, free text options to allow respondents to
 answer accurately if the suggested responses did not suit their situation.
 Ordinal levels of measurement were also used to help ascertain the extent
 of challenges or opportunities that were afforded by
 offsetting/onsetting/insetting techniques. Pre-tests or pilots are essential
 in the survey design process to ensure appropriateness of questions. The
 survey was piloted by both a sustainability consultancy responsible for
 SBT-setting and a company which has adopted SBTs. The survey closed by
 explaining that it was stage one of a two stage process, alerting
 respondents to the possibility of further information gathering via
 interviews. The
 survey was sent out to all companies within the UK whom had taken action
 on Science-Based Targets (SBTs). The SBTi keeps an online record of any
 companies taking action on SBTs. This online database was filtered to show
 just those companies which are UK-based; 32 companies at the time of
 enquiry (2018). Grounded theory research samples typically number twenty
 to thirty (Creswell, 2014) and so surveys to 32 companies were deemed
 sufficient provided a high response rate was achieved. To limit risks
 around low response rates, personal email addresses were then sought via
 company websites, phone calls, LinkedIn searches and the use of
 contacts/networks. Despite this, the majority of surveys had to be sent to
 a generic email address (45%) or via online contact forms (30%).
 Given the novelty of SBTs, a small number of responses from these
 early adopters was a possible outcome, but having followed guidance from
 Biggam (2015) and Fowler (2002) regarding how to ensure the best possible
 response rate, a survey was still deemed the best way to proceed. Indeed a
 response rate of 25% was achieved and helped draw the required
 conclusions.
description: All the survey questions and responses are contained within the
 uploaded content.