O'Connor Roofing Sustainability Case Study: 74% Carbon Reduction with EcoMerit
A Sustainability Journey That Began in 2018 - and Hasn’t Slowed Since
O’Connor Roofing Supplies first partnered with EcoMerit in 2018 to take a structured look at our environmental performance. A detailed review, followed by the development of our first improvement plan, marked the beginning of a long-term commitment to measurable, meaningful environmental action.
Since then, the company has continued to build on that foundation every year. The results speak for themselves:
Carbon Footprint
Down 74%
Emissions per Euro of turnover
Down 85%
Waste Recycling Performance
Up 12%
(All progress figures independently verified by EcoMerit.)
Despite ongoing business growth, O’Connor Roofing has consistently reduced its environmental impact – proving that expansion and sustainability can go hand-in-hand.
What Drove This Performance? Practical Actions With Real Impact
O’Connor Roofing’s progress comes from a wide range of improvements, many small but meaningful, and all supported by a company-wide commitment to sustainability.
Some of our most impactful actions include:
- Electrifying our transport:
Replacing the company’s diesel cars with electric vehicles, and introducing an electric combi-lift in place of our diesel side-loader.
- Using waste as a resource:
Installing a timber-fuelled stove powered by workshop off-cuts, reducing both waste and heating oil use.
- Generating our own clean electricity:
Installing a PV solar array, allowing the company to produce renewable power on site – even exporting surplus to the grid in 2024.
These practical, cost-effective initiatives show how sustainability can be achieved step by step, with actions that make operational as well as environmental sense.
Carbon Footprint: Achieving 2030 Paris Targets Eight Years Early
EcoMerit certification requires that members measure their Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions in line with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol. O’Connor Roofing has exceeded expectations on both counts – achieving the Paris Accord’s 2030 carbon reduction target eight years ahead of schedule.
This progress is particularly noteworthy given that the business has expanded significantly since 2018. Without proactive measures, emissions would have increased; instead, they’ve fallen sharply.
A small amount of carbon offsetting appears in 2024 due solely to excess solar energy being exported back to the grid.
A Sustainability Strategy That Makes Financial Sense
One of the advantages of environmentally focused improvements is that they frequently reduce costs as well as emissions. For O’Connor Roofing:
- Electric vehicles
- Solar energy
- On-site waste-to-heat systems
… all offer long-term financial payback, while supporting the company’s environmental goals.
As Company Director Stephen O’Connor puts it, “Doing the right thing AND saving money at the same time. Why wouldn’t you!”
A Major Step Forward: Reducing Diesel Use Through Smarter Logistics
In 2024, the company introduced a major new measure to cut diesel consumption: wherever feasible, materials are now shipped directly from suppliers to customers.
This simple logistics change eliminates unnecessary journeys, replacing two freight trips with one, and reduces fuel usage considerably.
Looking Ahead: Continued Commitment to Improvement
Even with impressive results achieved to date, O’Connor Roofing remains focused on further progress. Our plans for the coming year include:
- Measuring the carbon performance of our couriers.
- Tracking individual vehicle fuel efficiency to identify new opportunities.
- Working with Kingspan to improve foam and plastic recycling streams.
Longer-term goals include transitioning large delivery vehicles to renewable fuels and assessing the environmental performance of key suppliers to help “green” the wider supply chain.
O’Connor Roofing is proud to be part of the EcoMerit Community, using independently verified performance to guide and accelerate our sustainability journey.