Forth Ports

Forth Ports are the 3rd largest UK port group, handling in the range of 41 million tonnes of cargo per year. They play a pinnacle role in supporting a diverse range of customers and sectors, providing a range of safe, reliable, and efficient supply chain services to help customers to simplify their supply chains by reducing costs while ensuring consistency, transparency, and a high quality of service. 

As part of their work with their customers and supply chains, Forth Ports is leading initiatives in Net Zero and is backing the Net Zero Nation (NZN), the Accelerator programme in Scotland powered by notch, as one of their bespoke solutions.

We spoke with Jakki Ireland, Senior Procurement Manager based at Grangemouth, about her motivations for driving Net Zero through her customer supply chains and her experience of Net Zero Nation.

Why did you engage with notch?

“It was apparent that our suppliers needed help as they felt they didn’t have a voice when it came to Net Zero, they wanted to do the right thing, but they didn’t know where to start. We looked to the market for carbon accounting platforms and most systems we found required the suppliers to provide the data and in return they were given an annual report. This may have ticked a few boxes, but it didn’t progress their knowledge and understanding of Net Zero or give them guidance on how to manage their carbon ongoing.  

As a Procurement Manager I want to have conversations with my suppliers that shows they understand their carbon emissions and how they are going to manage it.

I have over 1300 suppliers ranging from £500 turnover to £30 million and as a buyer I need to demonstrate what I want to see.  Forth Ports are releasing a supplier roadmap to assist SMEs on timescales for achieving their overall carbon reduction strategy. Supply chain emissions have an ever-increasing importance in how we drive forward Net Zero in Scotland and Procurement as a sector need to understand Net Zero too.

Tell us a little about the accelerator model that started this journey?

“This is where Net Zero Nation is very different. It stands out because not only does it provide a great platform in notch to collect carbon data, but it also involves knowledge sharing, explaining jargon, updating on current legislations, and supporting each company with their transition to Net Zero. They take it a step beyond, by helping each SME understand their emissions and supporting their management of it. 

Getting suppliers on board was initially tricky but we found that once they joined the accelerator, they really enjoyed it and were actively participating in the conversations. They have learned so much and are totally bought in.  I really like that we have competing companies in the same accelerator, but that competition remains at the door because when it comes to Net Zero, we’re all working together. 

Over the last year we are delighted that suppliers are more than ready to sign up – enthusiasm has increased, as has uptake. We even have leaders from earlier cohorts becoming mentors for the current accelerator groups.

Net Zero Nation goes above and beyond anything anyone else is going to give you.  The networking side to the programme is invaluable to suppliers – they say it’s worth its weight in gold. We’re creating a circular economy.

I can’t speak highly enough about the work they do and the support they give the SMEs. This is more than a programme – it’s a movement. Getting everyone together, sharing knowledge and moving forward to Net Zero together. They provide drop-in sessions, ‘meet the expert’ knowledge shares, and additional meetings that senior business leaders within these organisations are prioritising and making time to attend.

When it comes to Net Zero, we’re all Scotland. We’re all one team, and we all have one goal in mind – lowering carbon emissions.”