Alignment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals
The Safestore Group is dedicated to supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals (“SDGs”), focusing on areas where we can make the most significant impact.
Our priority goals include:
- Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth - Decent work and economic growth - we support inclusive and sustainable economic growth by providing secure employment opportunities and investing in our people.
- Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities - Sustainable cities and communities - By offering flexible, secure storage solutions and engaging with local communities, we help to create more resilient and sustainable urban spaces.
- Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production - Responsible consumption and production - through initiatives like sustainable construction and improved waste management, we strive to reduce resource use and promote sustainable practices throughout our operations.
- Goal 13: Climate action - Climate action - our commitment to renewable energy, energy efficiency, and carbon reduction supports global efforts to combat climate change.
Our suppliers and partners
At Safestore, we recognise that our suppliers play a critical role in achieving our sustainability objectives. As we progress in our sustainability journey, we are committed to working with suppliers which share our values and commitment to responsible business practices. Our goal is to ensure that our supply chain aligns with our sustainability principles, helping us reduce our environmental impact while driving positive social outcomes.
Given that a significant portion of our environmental impact originates from third-party suppliers, we have implemented rigorous evaluation criteria for all supply chain partners. Suppliers are now required to demonstrate compliance with Environmental, Social, and Governance (“ESG”) standards as part of our tendering and procurement processes. This includes meeting expectations around responsible sourcing, reducing waste, and lowering carbon emissions.
Key focus areas in 2024:
- Responsible sourcing: we continue to partner with suppliers which prioritise sustainable materials and ethical practices. This includes selecting materials with lower environmental impact for store construction and ensuring that all sourced materials meet high environmental standards.
- Carbon footprint: as part of our operational net zero focus, we are working closely with our suppliers to reduce the carbon footprint of goods and services. This includes encouraging our suppliers to adopt greener manufacturing processes and more efficient delivery methods, as well as participating in carbon reduction programmes.
- Waste management: we are proud to have diverted 100% of construction waste from UK stores away from landfill in 2024. Moving forward, we are extending our focus to reduce operational waste from both our suppliers and our storage facilities.
- Supplier audits: we have intensified our supplier audit processes, ensuring that ESG considerations are fully integrated into our supply chain management. Suppliers are regularly evaluated on their adherence to Safestore’s sustainability standards, with regular reviews to ensure they are aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (“SDGs”).
Looking ahead, the Group’s supplier engagement strategy will continue to evolve as we push for even greater transparency, efficiency, and collaboration within our supply chain. We believe that by working together with our partners, we can accelerate our progress towards a more sustainable future.
