The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report ‘Global Warming of 1.5°C’ (2018) is clear on the causes and effects of climate change on the world. The report states that the primary driver of long term global warming is carbon dioxide emissions (CO2) and that global temperatures relate to increased cumulative CO2 emissions from human activity, primarily from energy use. This will result in significant loss of ecosystems and biodiversity along with increased impacts on human health and the economy. The world is already around 1°C warmer than pre-industrial times and is currently on track to reach between 3-4°C global temperature increase by 2100 if no action is taken. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) Paris Agreement (2015), to which the UK is a signatory, aims to: “Strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change by keeping a global temperature rise this century well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5°C.” The UK will deliver on the Paris Agreement by vigorously pursuing a target to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to ‘net zero’ by 2050, ending the UK’s contribution to global warming within 31 years. This was enshrined in law in June 2019 through amendments to the 2050 GHG emissions reduction target in the Climate Change Act 2008 from at least 80% to at least 100%, otherwise known as ‘net zero’.

TMS remains committed to putting the principles of sustainable development into action in everything it does. This is so that development meets the needs of today without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own. TMS is increasingly determined to have a positive effect on the environment and to avoid any unintended consequences through its actions. TMS has revised its corporate Environment Policy to strengthen its environmental commitments, ensuring we continue to reduce the impact upon climate change. TMS has now set new environment and climate change targets for the future. TMS will lead the way on tackling greenhouse gas emissions by: • Working with partners, businesses and communities to tackle climate change through a common framework. • Reducing the emissions from its own estate and operations to net zero by 2050.