Our Sustainability Accomplishments in 2023

Cornish Gems. December 15, 2023

We are deeply rooted in the beauty of Cornwall, and we feel a strong responsibility to take care of our home. Using our business practices, our community and how we communicate with our guests, we’re committed to being a force for good within our industry and within Cornwall.

We’re immensely proud to have achieved what we have this year, so stay tuned to hear about our upcoming commitments for 2024.

  • We commited to spending at least 50% of our non-utility supplier expenses with Cornish producers, services and suppliers.

52% of our non-utility, non-payroll expenditure was spent with local suppliers.

  • We commit to reducing emissions related to Scopes 1 and 2.

We reduced electricity, waste and business travel emissions. Overall Scope 2+emissions were up 2.59 tCO2e which can be accounted for by the opening of a second office in the year.

  • We commit to reducing the waste that we send to landfill.

Our waste was reduced by 9.16 tCO2e.

  • We commit to paying all employees the real Living Wage.

We are now an accredited Real Living Wage employer!

  • We commit to employing 80% of our staff from the local area.

More than 90% of our staff are employed locally.

  • We commit to supporting climate and nature friendly projects in Cornwall alongside Cornwall Council and Crowdfunder.

We have so far donated £700 to support climate friendly projects with the Cornwall Nature Fund. From our guests we have raised a total of £584 so far.

  • We commit to supporting Cornwall Heritage Trust by purchasing memberships for our guests* and sharing their work with our supporters.

Twelve of our guests have selected the Cornwall Heritage Trust membership in the last year. Our purchase has directly helped maintain the history and heritage of Cornwall.

  • We commit to diversifying our portfolio across Cornwall to reduce the negative impacts on ‘hotspots’ of over-tourism.

We are operating the length and breadth of Cornwall, minimising the risk to ‘hotspot’ areas and spreading the tourism income across the county.

  • We commit to not adding any residential properties with a market value of less than £350,000 to our portfolio – mindful of the impact on affordable housing for the local community.

Our Head of Portfolio, Sarah Hemsley, can confirm we haven’t signed up any properties with this market value or below in 2023.

  • We commit to working towards being a regenerative business and a force for good for Cornwall.

We are absolutely working towards being a regenerative business and a force for good for Cornwall, through our BCorp journey and more, and will continue to do so!

10/10 – and we couldn’t be more proud! But the hard work doesn’t stop there – we’re pleased to now share our 10 commitments for 2024 below.

Not to mention, Cornish Gems joined the Better Business Act coalition. We’ve joined hundreds of businesses calling for a straightforward legislative solution: the Better Business Act will amend section 172 of The Companies Act to ensure that company directors are responsible for advancing the interests of shareholders alongside those of wider society and the environment.

We believe that the Better Business Act is a unique opportunity to demonstrate UK leadership on the global stage – creating a competitive advantage, driving innovation, accelerating progress to net zero, and aligning with the government’s ambition to build back better.

We would love to hear your ideas on how else we can be a force for good in the community. You can reach out to us in many ways, including email, direct message on Instagram or Facebook, comment below, or give us a call on 01872 241241.

Thank you for your continued support and encouragement. We’re so pleased you can join us on this fantastic journey.