We spoke to Phoebe Currie, the Sustainability and Social Values Manager at SLX, about SLX's efforts to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and its sustainability goals.
SLX is a technical production company that specializes in event lighting, supporting events ranging from private parties to the Commonwealth Games. Phoebe explains how SLX has worked to reduce fossil fuel use in three key areas: energy purchased, transportation methods, and powering events. She also discusses the company's commitment to sustainability and future plans to communicate carbon impacts to clients and reduce emissions to net-zero by 2030. SLX's sustainability efforts have been well received by customers and partners, and the company has won multiple awards, including the TPi Green Award and B Corp certification. Phoebe also shares advice for other companies looking to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels.
Sam Harrison: Can you tell us a bit about SLX and what the company does?
Phoebe Currie: SLX is a technical production company specialising in lighting for events. The types of events we work on vary from a private party to the Commonwealth Games. We have two bases in Bristol and London and support many London based theatres through the hire side of our business. On the live event side, we provide equipment, technical expertise and project management support across the UK and Europe.
SH: How has SLX been working to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels?
PC: The potential for fossil fuel use occurs in three key areas of our business; the energy we purchase, our transportation methods and for powering some of our events.
In June 2022, SLX was awarded a Green Business Grant from WECA to install a 120kW solar panel system on the roof of our warehouse. The energy that is produced onsite is either used directly for the running of our Bristol warehouse and office or it is exported to the grid. For the month of July and August 2022, 66% of all the energy we consumed for those two months was solely from our solar energy. We were also able to export 27.62MWh of solar energy to the grid in this period. For our purchased electricity, as a standard, we only purchase our electricity from 100% renewable energy tariffs.
We still require fossil fuels in the transportation of our equipment and team to sites. Diesel is used in most of our vehicles, although we have invested in two electric company vehicles and one hybrid vehicle. We have also invested in three car charging ports at our HQ in Bristol. Since this instalment, three employees have switched to electric vehicles as we are able to support them with access to charging ports. We provide all employees with a cycle to work scheme encouraging cycling to work rather than driving which is challenging being based in Avonmouth. Two employees have utilised the scheme thus far.
On some of our events, it is necessary to use temporary power solutions. When this is the case, we use a main first approach to see if it is possible to run the event on local mains power. If this is not possible, we look to use a hybrid generator system with a smaller generator and a battery allow more efficient energy use. We prioritise running the generator on biofuels such as Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO).
SH: How does SLX plan to continue its sustainability efforts in the future?
PC: We are working on ways to communicate with our clients the carbon impact of the events they are asking us to help create. We have committed to the Bristol One City Climate Ask to reduce our scope 1 and scope 2 emissions to net zero by 2030. We are also actively looking for local initiatives working to restore our environment such as rewilding projects that we can get involved with.
SH: How have SLX's customers and partners responded to the company's commitment to sustainability?
PC: We were the proud winners of the inaugural TPi Green Award in May 2022 which was huge recognition from our industry and sustainability professionals in our industry on our sustainability strategy and achievements thus far.
In January 2023 we were certified as a B Corp! This has been well received by our industry as we are the second to ever have been awarded this certification and have the highest score in our industry. B Corp is a framework that we believe well aligned with our values and ambitions as a business and provided the right framing for our values and strategy.
This has sparked numerous conversations with our clients and suppliers which has been invaluable in shaping the focus of sustainability at SLX.
SH: What kind of support, if any, did SLX receive from Business West during this transition to greener alternatives?
PC: Business West let us know about the Green Business Grant, and I have attended Bristol Initiative meetings and heard about what other local businesses have been doing to reduce their impact. It has also been really useful to hear about plans for the region at these events such as Travel West and the Hydrogen South West project as well.
Our Sustainability Manager also attended the Business West Trading To Net Zero training courses which helped in creating an emissions reduction plan.
SH: How do SLX's employees feel about the company's sustainability efforts?
PC: In August 2021, sustainability was a term that not many people in the company fully understood or could see why it was important to the business. The decision to focus on sustainability was largely top down at that point in time. Then SLX hired me as the Sustainability and Social Values Manager and since then, we have delivered a workshop and various talks to the team about the importance of sustainability and reducing emissions. Our latest training session was co-delivered by myself and UWE’s Skills for Clean Growth Team.
The sustainability strategy at SLX now feels much more embedded in the company with an increase in team understanding. What is great is that team members are now suggesting ways to reduce our impact which really makes it feel like a collective push.
SH: How does SLX's approach to sustainability compare to that of other companies in the industry?
PC: I believe we are the first company of our type in the industry with a full time Sustainability and Social Values Manager.
SH: Lastly, do you have any advice for other companies looking to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels?
PC: The solar panels have been a game changer for us. There are grants available if you are considering it. However, the first step should be to reduce your overall useful of fuels/energy, whether that is by installing LED lighting, more accurate power planning for events, using a hybrid system or a simple “switch it off” campaign.
I would then also investigate alternative fuels such as biofuels to replace fossil fuels, if possible.
SLX is an experienced events and production company with a passionate team that creates unforgettable experiences. They offer end-to-end services, providing lighting, audio, and visual solutions, top-of-the-line equipment, and logistical support for all kinds of events. Their goal is to bring people, ideas, and innovation together to create show-stopping moments.
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