Success through Carbon Reduction plan pilot

Edwards, The Welsh Butcher, was founded in 1983 by Ieuan Edwards, who left the family farm to become a butcher. After doing an apprenticeship in Llanrwst and training in Switzerland and Holland, Ieuan opened a shop in Conwy, north Wales, which quickly gained a reputation for its award-winning products.

In 2004, Edwards, The Welsh Butcher expanded by selling through major retailers like ASDA, Morrisons, Sainsburys, Ocado, and Tesco. To meet growing demand, the company moved into a production facility beneath Conwy mountain. Today, the company Edwards, The Welsh Butcher employs around 90 people and is a valued contributor to the Welsh and UK food and drink sector, maintaining efficient operations while focusing on high-quality products and strong industry relationships.

Edwards, The Welsh Butcher products reach consumers through various channels, including retail partnerships with major supermarkets and collaborations within the foodservice sector. They sell through wholesalers such as Harlech Foodservice and Blas Ar Fwyd, as well as bespoke partnerships, allowing them to connect with a broad customer base.

Simon Edwards, Finance Manager at Edwards, The Welsh Butcher, shared his insights on their participation in the Welsh Government Carbon Reduction pilot by saying "Participating in the Carbon Reduction pilot was a valuable opportunity for us to deepen our understanding of our environmental impact and strategically enhance our sustainability practices. 

"The process began with a comprehensive data gathering phase. We meticulously assessed our existing data, identified gaps, and established efficient processes for capturing necessary information.

“The data collection phase spanned from June 2024 to August 2024, followed by a focused period of report review and finalisation from September 2024 to January 2025. While the process required diligence and commitment, our strong data management foundation allowed for a relatively straightforward progression. It wasn't effortless, but our being prepared was a significant advantage."

Gaining a clear understanding of their current environmental baseline was paramount for Edwards, The Welsh Butcher to achieving meaningful and lasting improvements in sustainability and environmental performance, as Simon explains, "The Carbon Reduction Pilot plan provided us with clear visibility into our Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, enabling us to strategically focus our efforts and resources on the areas where we can make the most significant positive impact."

Key milestones for the company included gaining a comprehensive understanding of operational data, identifying specific areas for environmental improvement, and defining clear and actionable steps to achieve sustainability goals. Simon noted, "These milestones were crucial for achieving our sustainability goals."

"The initial data collection phase required thoroughness. However, we have a proactive approach to record-keeping and effective organisation of existing information which allowed us to navigate this stage effectively.”

Simon wholeheartedly recommends endorses developing a carbon reduction plan, saying "This new pilot has provided us with the necessary support to help us develop our understanding and gain invaluable insights into a business's environmental footprint and unlock opportunities for impactful changes. The guidance on data collection and collaboration with suppliers was particularly beneficial."

"The expertise and guidance provided by the technical experts accessed via the pilot were instrumental in navigating data-related aspects and fostering a deeper understanding of the pilot's objectives, ultimately contributing significantly to its successful completion for us."

Simon concluded, "Moving forward, we are committed to developing an impact report, reigniting our internal Sustainability and Environmental Responsibility Programme (SERP) group, and creating targeted action plans based on the pilot's findings.

“This pilot has helped us reduce our carbon footprint, enhance our sustainability practices, and improve our data management. Additionally, it has made us more attractive to green investors and boosted our reputation and market differentiation, which we will continue to build on.”

Improve your sustainability practices with our Carbon Reduction Pilot. Get expert guidance and support by emailing SustainableFD@gov.wales with “Carbon Reduction Plans Pilot” in the subject line.