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Our business, our people, and what drives us
Commitments, pillars, and guiding principles
Baseline emissions, targets, and reduction roadmap
Community, employment, and ethical sourcing
Strategic risk assessment and future planning
Ethical trading compliance and supply chain standards
Current and planned actions underway
Full emissions data tables and board declaration
Kale & Damson Ltd is a fresh produce and food service supplier operating from our central depot in Cambridge. We supply fresh fruit, vegetables, and food service products to a range of customers across the public and private sector, including healthcare and hospitality.
With a strong local sourcing ethos rooted in the Cambridge area, we partner with growers and producers to deliver high-quality, seasonal produce while maintaining high environmental and ethical standards.
We recognise that sustainability is not just a contractual requirement — it is a long-term business responsibility. K&D is formalising its sustainability reporting framework using 2025 as its baseline year, and is committed to continuous improvement across all five pillars of our sustainability programme.
At Kale & Damson, we are committed to reducing our environmental impact and contributing positively to the communities and customers we serve. We are actively building a structured carbon management framework, managing waste responsibly across our operations, and transitioning our fleet and energy use toward lower-emission solutions. Through these actions, we aim to embed sustainability into every part of our business while supporting a more responsible and resilient food supply chain.
Baseline Year: 2024/25 · Methodology: GHG Protocol Corporate Standard · Conversion: DEFRA Emissions Factors
| Emissions Source | Baseline Year (2025) tCO₂e | Current Year (2026 YTD) tCO₂e | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 Fleet fuel (diesel/HGV) | 534.31 | 187.00 | ✅ Confirmed |
| Scope 1 Refrigerants (cold storage) | Data consolidation in progress – improvement plan in place | 🔄 In Progress | |
| Scope 1 Gas usage | N/A – no gas usage on site | N/A | ✅ Confirmed |
| Scope 2 Purchased electricity | 38.80 | 10.33 | ✅ Confirmed |
| Scope 3 Upstream transport & distribution | Estimated – supplier engagement in progress | 🔄 In Progress | |
| Scope 3 Waste generated in operations | Based on 69,216 kg (Veolia) | Based on 26,471 kg (Veolia) | ✅ Confirmed |
| Scope 3 Business travel | Minimal / not material | Minimal / not material | ✅ Confirmed |
| Scope 3 Employee commuting (estimated) | 82.00 (estimated) | 27.50 (estimated YTD) | 📊 Estimated |
| Scope 3 Downstream transport & distribution | Included within fleet reporting where directly controlled by K&D | ✅ Confirmed | |
| TOTAL EMISSIONS | 655.11+ tCO₂e | 224.83+ tCO₂e | — |
K&D intends to develop science-based emissions targets as data completeness and internal controls mature.
K&D intends to introduce independent third-party review of Scope 1, Scope 2 and priority Scope 3 emissions as data completeness and internal controls mature, with the ambition to commence phased independent review from 2026 onwards.
K&D has set an ambition to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions across its UK operations by 2050, subject to ongoing data development, technological feasibility and evolving regulatory guidance.
Deliver year-on-year reductions in direct and energy-related emissions through fleet efficiency, route optimisation, and energy management.
Improve emissions intensity across key Scope 3 categories — especially upstream and downstream transport — over time.
Maintain and update this Carbon Reduction Plan on an annual basis, with board-level sign-off and public website publication.
Collect outstanding refrigerant, upstream supplier, and commuting data within 12 months of this publication to improve accuracy.
K&D generates measurable social, economic, and environmental benefits through our operations. Our Social Value programme is structured around five outcome areas that reflect the impact our business has on people and place.
Staff development, training, and local supplier engagement across Cambridgeshire
Carbon reduction programme; fleet transition planning; sustainable packaging review
Modern slavery compliance; safe working environment; zero tolerance for exploitation
Diverse hiring practices and inclusive recruitment approaches
Staff wellbeing programmes; fresh food access; community health initiatives
K&D maintains recognised food safety and quality management processes across its operations. We continue to review and improve operational standards, traceability, supplier controls, and compliance procedures as part of our ongoing continuous improvement programme.
Kale & Damson is committed to ensuring that modern slavery and human trafficking have no place in our business or supply chain. We operate in line with the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and all associated guidance.
| Risk Level | Actions Required |
|---|---|
| Low Risk | Modern Slavery Assessment Tool (MSAT) completed and current |
| Medium Risk | MSAT completed + evidence review |
| High Risk | MSAT + evidence review + independent third-party audit |
Full mapping of our operational structure and key supply chain relationships
Anti-slavery, ethical trading, and responsible sourcing policies in place
Supplier assessments and onboarding checks
Annual MSAT review and risk-based supplier monitoring
Ongoing tracking of compliance and corrective actions
Staff awareness training on modern slavery and ethical trading
Recognised certification supports product safety, traceability, operational standards, and customer confidence across our fresh produce supply chain.
Daily route planning reviewed to reduce fuel consumption and total miles driven across the delivery fleet.
Structured carbon data collection established using fuel card records, electricity billing, mileage logs, and DEFRA conversion factors.
Operational waste practices in place via Veolia. Formal categorisation and annual reporting in progress.
Refrigeration maintenance schedules maintained across Cambridge cold storage. R449A systems confirmed and F-gas compliance under review.
Evaluation of EV fleet transition feasibility, including range, infrastructure, and total cost of ownership analysis.
DEFRA-aligned Power BI emissions tracking model in development for real-time annual reporting and management.
Engagement with key inbound suppliers to improve Scope 3 upstream transport and distribution data quality.
Review of packaging materials across operations to reduce single-use plastic and increase recyclable material use.
| Category | 2025 (tCO₂e) | 2026 YTD |
|---|---|---|
| Fleet fuel (diesel/HGV) | 534.31 | 187.00 |
| Refrigerants (cold storage) | TBC | TBC |
| Gas usage | N/A | N/A |
| Purchased electricity | 38.80 | 10.33 |
| Scope 1 + 2 Total | 573.11+ | 197.33+ |
| Unit | Start 2025 | End 2025 | Apr 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unit 5 | 91,138 | 173,890 | 196,850 |
| Unit 6 | 16,828 | 32,925 | 38,155 |
| Unit 7 | 120,251 | 215,684 | 235,805 |
| Unit 8 | 76,295 | 101,156 | 111,189 |
| Category | 2025 | 2026 YTD |
|---|---|---|
| Upstream transport & distribution | Est. | Est. |
| Waste in operations (Veolia) | 69,216 kg | 26,471 kg |
| Business travel | Minimal | Minimal |
| Employee commuting | 82.00 tCO₂e | 27.50 tCO₂e |
| Downstream transport | Incl. fleet reporting | |
| Scope 3 Total | 82.00+ | 27.50+ |
| Total Scope 1 | 534.31+ tCO₂e | 187.00+ |
| Total Scope 2 | 38.80 tCO₂e | 10.33 |
| Total Scope 3 | 82.00+ tCO₂e | 27.50+ |
| GRAND TOTAL | 655.11+ tCO₂e | 224.83+ |
This Sustainability & Carbon Reduction Report has been prepared in accordance with the GHG Reporting Protocol Corporate Standard and DEFRA emissions conversion factors. Emissions have been recorded and reported transparently, with a 12-month data improvement plan in place for outstanding items. This report has been reviewed and signed off by the board of directors. Signed on behalf of Kale & Damson Ltd by Kuljit Dhariwal, Director, on 27/05/2026.