Delivering a climate change impact assessment and action plan

In line with its corporate strategy, the UK’s Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) has committed to developing an action plan to manage and, where possible, mitigate the climate impact of its business activities. To achieve this, the RTPI commissioned RSK in 2020 to deliver a climate impact assessment to determine its Scope 1, 2 and 3 emission baselines. The findings of this assessment were then benchmarked against similarly sized and structured organisations using the extensive back catalogue of work RSK has developed while delivering high-quality emissions reporting to companies from an extensive range of sectors worldwide.

The findings of the assessment were then built on using semi-structured interviews and in-depth strategy and policy analyses to develop a tailored and robust action plan. Clear objectives were provided for the reduction of the RTPI’s emissions and the improvement of its data collection activities. These objectives were supported by an innovative range of specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound (SMART) costed actions to realise said objectives, along with a comprehensive internal and external communications strategy, including a summary document.

The supporting communications strategy, developed by RSK’s in-house communication services team, identified appropriate channels of engagement for internal and external audiences, and included the development of a message house framework to guide future communications regarding the impact assessment and action plan.

Ian Tant, RTPI’s Immediate Past President, said, “With RSK’s expert help and input, I am sure that the climate action plan will help to cement the RTPI’s position as a leading advocate for sustainable place-making through a clear commitment to tackling climate change. With the urgent need to address the climate crisis underpinning all aspects of the RTPI’s corporate strategy, I am delighted that we will be working with RSK on this important piece of work.”