The Sustainable Growth Agreement (SGA) between the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Robertson is the first in Scotland to focus on environmental performance across an entire supply chain.

The partnership will help amplify support for the businesses in the Robertson supply chain to meet their environmental obligations and encourage them to move beyond compliance by supporting the transition to a circular net zero economy.

SEPA regulates activities undertaken by businesses, including construction firms, house builders, waste hauliers, industrial operators, product manufacturers and suppliers.

Acting as a ‘critical friend’, Robertson will highlight any systemic issues associated with meeting environmental regulations so that action can be taken to tackle them before they result in environmental harm or a licence breach.

Any opportunities identified to help upskill suppliers and subcontractors to meet their environmental obligations, support them to do more for the environment and create opportunities that link business success with environmental success will also be shared.

The two organisations will also work together to:

• undertake a joint review to help prioritise actions in the supply chain;
• pilot, review and share SEPA training content and guidance for the industry around environmental compliance
• explore new ways of identifying the suppliers and subcontractors most in need of support, intervening to help support, but using compliance history to inform supply chain selection, and contractual compliance requirements to drive improvements.

Terry A’Hearn, SEPA’s chief executive, said: “In 2018, I challenged Scotland’s business leaders to face up to the scale of the environmental challenge facing us.

“I explained that only great leaders would understand that it is an opportunity for their businesses and organisations to help solve – it while creating economic success.

“This is the first agreement between SEPA and a tier 1 construction, housing, infrastructure and support services business and it creates a real opportunity to communicate the aspirations, challenges and opportunities for environmental performance in Scotland to a wide audience.

“I hope our SGA with Robertson will inspire others to answer the call as well.”

Elliot Robertson, Robertson’s, chief executive officer, said: “At Robertson we fully recognise the role that we play in assuring a sustainable future.

“We have worked closely with SEPA for a number of years and we are proud to formalise and build upon our relationship through the signing of the SGA.

“We are confident that this agreement will have a positive impact on our operations and we look forward to facing the challenges ahead and to being part of the delivery of an inclusive net zero society.”

This SGA is one of a series of such agreements the Scottish regulator has struck in recent years – with existing partnerships including the Leven Programme Partnership and the 2050 Climate Group. It will be reviewed after three years, with an opportunity to widen the scope to improve the environmental and sustainability performance of the supply chain during other phases of the building lifecycle.