Our sustainability policy
Tackling climate change is a global challenge, but we can take action locally to help protect the future for our clients, employees, families and neighbours.
"Ocean strives to provide the best possible customer experience, and the best employee support and care, while positively contributing to our local communities, Bristol and North Somerset. We're committed to doing this in the most sustainable way possible."
Paul Harris, Owner, Managing Director
I’m Johnny, Ocean’s Head of Sustainability. With over 12 years working at Ocean, (and being the son of the founder, Paul!), I have a deep connection to this company. My passion for the environment led me to earn a Masters in Sustainable Development in Practice from UWE in 2020.
Since then initiated a Carbon Audit to establish our baseline emissions. Utilities were the major contributor, so I partnered with Unyfi to source renewable energy. We've since introduced sustainable toilet paper from Boo Roll, installed a living green wall at our Southville office, and set up a staff volunteering program.
Our latest carbon audit, conducted with Chris Scott at Net Zero Advisory (NZA), was the most comprehensive yet. We’ve aligned our net zero targets with the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) for internationally recognised validation.
I’m eager to collaborate and share knowledge to achieve our sustainability goals. Feel free to get in touch.
Ocean Volunteers
We want to play an active part and make a difference – our volunteer programme gives our teams a chance to get out of the office and help at a local group or charity.
Unyfi partnership (Link B24/7 article)
We have been in partnership with Unyfi (link) for a few years now. They helped us transition our utilities to energy generated from renewable sources across our sites and have recently helped us switch our waste management. We now have food waste caddies in each of our offices as well as general mixed recycling. They are a local business and we are proud to be working with them to help us achieve our sustainability goals.
Read more here - Bristol 24/7 article
Partnership with Retrofit West
We have teamed up with a local Community Interest Company, Retrofit West. We are using our connection to thousands of current and prospective homeowners to spread the word of retrofit.
What is Retrofit? Retrofitting means making updates or changes to an existing building to make it more energy-efficient and reduce its environmental impact, usually by adding new tech or installing insulation and double glazing. You can also see plenty of health benefits from retrofitting your home.
We will be providing our clients with a handy digital brochure drawn up by the experts at Retrofit West that explains more about retrofit and how it can best be applied to your home, as each building with be unique in its requirements and call for different interventions. The brochure is designed to help you along your retrofit journey and gives some case studies on homeowners who have retrofitted their properties and talks about the benefits they are seeing.
At Hartcliffe City Farm you'll find a sustainable flower farm which is part of the Heart of BS13 charity programme. Our marketing team spoke to Kirsite, Sol and Jodie and learnt more about what the Heart of BS13 team does to help the community, read on to hear their story.