Carbon Reduction Plan

Modern Democracy Ltd 

Publication Date: July 2025 | Reporting Period: January – December 2025 Prepared in compliance with PPN 006 

 

  1. Commitment Statement

Modern Democracy Ltd is committed to achieving Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 for our UK operations, in line with the UK Government's Climate Change Act 2008 (as amended). 

This plan sets out our current emissions, our pathway to Net Zero, and the measures we are implementing to reduce our environmental impact. It will be reviewed and updated annually. 

 

  1. About Us

Item 

Detail 

Company 

Modern Democracy Ltd 

Sector 

Software / Democracy Technology 

Services 

Cloud-based digital polling station management platform for UK local government 

Customers 

60+ UK councils 

Employees 

~25 

Working Model 

Hybrid (3 days office / 2 days remote); 3 fully remote staff 

 

  1. Baseline Emissions (2025)

2025 is our first reporting year and serves as our baseline. 

Emission Source 

Scope 

kgCO₂e 

Direct emissions (office gas) 

Scope 1 

1,989 

Indirect energy emissions 

Scope 2 

0 (renewable tariff) 

Other indirect emissions 

Scope 3 

3,834.4 

Total Quantified Emissions 

 

5,823.4 

Key sources: 

  • Business travel (mileage): 2,785 kgCO₂e — our largest quantified source, from staff using personal vehicles for client visits 
  • Business travel (flights): Identified as material but not yet quantified; will be included in future reporting 

Data gaps: We are working to complete our full emissions inventory, including Scope 2 indirect emissions and business flights. 

 

  1. Our Path to Net Zero

Modern Democracy Ltd is committed to a progressive reduction in emissions towards Net Zero by 2050. Our approach focuses on: 

  • Completing our full emissions picture — quantifying all material sources including flights and Scope 2 emissions 
  • Reducing direct emissions — exploring opportunities to move away from gas and towards renewable energy sources 
  • Cutting business travel emissions — encouraging car sharing and optimising travel patterns 
  • Working with responsible suppliers — engaging partners who share our commitment to carbon reduction 
  • Addressing residual emissions — exploring verified carbon offset/removal schemes for any emissions we cannot eliminate 

Indicative trajectory: 

Milestone 

Target 

Near-term 

Complete full emissions inventory 

Medium-term 

50% reduction from baseline 

Long-term 

75% reduction from baseline 

2050 

Net Zero 

 

  1. Measures Already Implemented

Cloud-Native Software Delivery Our platform is delivered as cloud-based SaaS hosted on AWS, eliminating the need for councils to maintain on-premise servers. AWS achieved 100% renewable energy in 2025, and cloud-hosted workloads produce up to 80% fewer carbon emissions than equivalent on-premise deployments. 

Hybrid Working Our hybrid model reduces commuting emissions by approximately 40% compared to full-time office attendance. 

Shared Office Efficiencies Operating from a managed office building means we benefit from shared heating, cooling, lighting, and facilities management. 

 

  1. Planned Measures

As we progress towards Net Zero, we will: 

  • Encourage car sharing among staff to reduce mileage emissions 
  • Complete our full emissions inventory across all scopes 
  • Develop a sustainable procurement policy 
  • Introduce carbon literacy training for all staff 
  • Engage supply chain partners on their carbon commitments 
  • Explore carbon offset/removal schemes for any residual hard-to-abate emissions 

 

  1. Declaration and Sign-Off

This Carbon Reduction Plan has been completed in accordance with PPN 006 and associated guidance. Emissions have been reported using the GHG Reporting Protocol corporate standard and UK Government conversion factors (DEFRA/BEIS, 2025). 

Signed on behalf of: 

Name: Siobhan Donaghy 

Position: Chief Executive Officer 

Date: 09/07/26 

On behalf of Modern Democracy Ltd. 

 

Appendix: Methodology 

  • Standard: GHG Protocol Corporate Standard; UK Government Environmental Reporting Guidelines 
  • Boundary: Operational control approach 
  • Emission factors: DEFRA Greenhouse Gas Conversion Factors 2025 
  • Calculation method: Distance-based using employee mileage claims and DEFRA transport factors 

Scope 3 categories assessed as relevant: Purchased Goods & Services; Business Travel; Employee Commuting & Homeworking.