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Working together for a safer and more sustainable world, through products that are designed to protect people and the environment in which they operate.
We understand that to exist as a business, we have an impact on the environment. It is our goal that in creating and delivering our products, we set an example by minimising our impact and protecting the environment to the best of our ability.
With this in mind, we are pleased to share our first Sustainability Report. This report marks a significant milestone in acknowledging where we are on our journey.
We recognise that true sustainability is a long-term pursuit. While we are not fully sustainable today, improving how we operate, strengthening our data and understanding our impacts puts us on the right path toward meeting current needs without compromising those of future generations.
Although this report is voluntary, it reflects our commitment to openness with customers and stakeholders.
Reduce scope 1 & 2 emissions intensity from 42.5 tCO2e/£1m sales 2019/2020 ‘Baseline year’ to 24.3 tCO2e/£1m sales by 2026.
Waste intensity target. Reduce operational waste from 7.2 t/£1m sales 2020/2021 ‘Baseline year’ to 4.9 t/ £1m sales by 2026/2027.
Using intensity enables like-for-like comparison across a diverse, global manufacturing footprint even when sales volumes fluctuate.
Overall scope 1 & 2 emissions have reduced since our 2019/20 baseline year. We had seen a rise from 2022/23, but are now seeing this start to reduce again.
Emissions intensity has seen significant reduction since our baseline. However, we have seen a stagnation in the last few years, driving us to look at energy data in more detail.
James Walker does not purchase carbon credits, and carbon offsetting is not part of our emissions management approach.
Energy use has dropped 12% versus our baseline, with an increasing proportion made from on site renewable generation. Electricity makes up 61% of our usage and remains a core target area.
Electricity has been more of a challenge to reduce, given increase in production and the criticality to our operations. We recognise we need to do more to aid overall energy reduction.
Whilst James Walker is supplied with renewable guarantees of origin (REGOs) for our UK supplied energy, we do not believe this should be reported as renewable energy. Our focus is on reducing overall demand and improving direct sources of energy.
Since our 2020/21 baseline, we have seen a 10% increase in operational waste. Despite increase in revenue, we acknowledge total waste must be reduced as well as intensity.
Waste to landfill as a percentage of total waste has increased. National infrastructure for the elastomer industry presents challenges we must combat in order to improve.
All waste included in this category is sent for external recycling. It is positive 73% of our waste is sent for recycling, but we must look to reduce this to aid overall waste reduction.
At this point, no scope 3 emissions calculations have been undertaken. We understand the majority of our emissions will lie in scope 3, future work will consider capturing this data. However, as a manufacturer with limited bought-in product scope 1 and scope 2 is a very significant area of impact and one where we believe we can make significant progress in reducing our environmental footprint.
Our Sustainability Champions are volunteers from across James Walker who play a vital role in driving local action, supporting our environmental, social and governance (ESG) ambitions and inspiring colleagues to embed sustainable practices into everyday operations.
James Walker’s Sustainability Champions network now includes 43 volunteers across eight territories, with over 10 department representatives helping embed sustainability into daily operations.
Two of our manufacturing sites, Cockermouth and Bingley, are also supported by active Green Teams driving site-level improvements.
Key achievements from the Champions network this year include:
I joined the sustainability team because I believe meaningful progress comes from steady, well-considered change rather than grand gestures. I’m keen to contribute to initiatives that balance environmental responsibility with real-world practicality, helping sustainability become part of how we think, plan and improve as a business over the long term, while embedding these new ways of thinking into everyday life.
Health and safety is central to how we operate, guiding our actions, systems and expectations across all workplaces.
During this reporting period, James Walker has reported 1,952 near misses and safety observations. This reporting rate demonstrates a positive culture in the business, raising awareness of concerns that could potentially lead to accidents.
In the 2025/26 reporting period, 9 lost time accidents occurred and 0 fatalities were recorded.
James Walker’s success is built on its people and we are committed to creating a supportive, inclusive and engaging workplace across all our operations.
We invest in employee development through training tailored to technical, operational and professional roles within our internal system - HCM. This includes pathways for early career talent and upskilling for specialist teams, supporting both individual growth and long-term organisational capability.
The support I have received from colleagues to challenge and shape the application of my apprenticeship has so far been outstanding and I am very appreciative of the opportunity that James Walker has given to me. I would recommend anyone considering senior leadership to consider taking this path.
Employee wellbeing is a key priority. We have trained mental health first aiders at major manufacturing sites and support mental health initiatives through partnerships with charities such as Andy’s Man Club.
James Walker’s policy framework underpins our commitment to ethical behaviour, legal compliance and sustainable operations, ensuring consistent standards across the organisation.
These policies apply to all categories of workers, including permanent, temporary, part-time and non-guaranteed hours employees, as required under the Group’s ISO-aligned management systems.
Effective governance underpins our approach to sustainability, with defined leadership responsibilities and oversight processes that ensure ethical, compliant and responsible operations.
The Group has adopted the Wates Corporate Governance Principles for Large Private Companies, reflecting its ownership and size.
Responsibility for sustainability is defined within the organisational structure. The owner of the Sustainability theme is the James Walker Finance Director, who manages sustainability performance in partnership with the Group Sustainability Partner. This ensures that sustainability considerations are integrated into financial planning, operational risk management and decision-making across the business.
Environmental responsibilities are further delegated: environmental discharges and compliance are overseen by the Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) department, ensuring all sites meet regulatory requirements. Chemicals and materials compliance sits within a cross-functional working group including Global H&S Manager, Materials Engineering, Applications Engineering and Sustainability specialists.
While sustainability is a strategic theme of the Group, performance of the highest governing body is not assessed against greenhouse gas (GHG) targets at this time beyond the set KPIs.
The next strategy, planned for release in 2027, will be developed by an expanded team of dedicated sustainability professionals, with final approval by the Board.
James Walker holds a range of internationally recognised certifications that demonstrate our commitment to quality, environmental responsibility and safe, well-managed operations.
James Walker is part of the James Walker Group CDP: score B, climate change. All manufacturing sites are ISO14001 certified, with EcoVadis awarded to our James Walker France location.
To view the certificates held by James Walker sites and locations, please click here.
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