Surfers Against Sewage

Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) is a national marine conservation charity working with communities over the last 30 years, and uniting ocean activists.

Despite strong momentum in their mission to protect oceans, waves, beaches and marine life, SAS recognised the need to strengthen its carbon measurement and management practices – particularly across Scope 3 emissions such as procurement and travel – to ensure that its internal operations matched the ambition of its campaigns.

As a small charity focused on maximising impact with limited resources, SAS sought expert guidance to build a credible, data-driven carbon footprint and a meaningful carbon reduction plan that could evolve into a wider sustainability strategy.

In 2024, Consciam began to partner with SAS through the Ocean Network to provide pro-bono support. We helped SAS calculate its FY23 and FY24 carbon footprints using the Consciam Footprint Tool, covering Scope 1, 2 and key Scope 3 categories such as business travel, waste, commuting, homeworking and purchased goods and services.

Building on this, Philosophy delivered a second phase of work in 2025 to help SAS move from measurement to action. This included:

• Supplier engagement: designing a survey and guidance to improve Scope 3 Purchased Goods & Services data.
• Carbon reduction action plan: refining targets and identifying practical reduction actions across energy, travel and procurement.
• Policy integration: embedding sustainability within procurement and operations, including a new Supplier Code of Conduct.
• Capability building: training the SAS team to manage their footprint independently using a carbon footprint tool.

Through a combined pro-bono commitment of 15 days to date, Philosophy supported SAS to:

• Develop the FY23–FY24 carbon footprint and a clear baseline.
• Create a robust Carbon Reduction Action Plan aligned with science-based principles and tailored to SAS’s operational realities.
• Strengthen supplier data and engagement processes through formalisation of policies and procedures.
• Establish a repeatable footprinting approach, enabling consistent annual measurement and reporting.

This partnership has enabled SAS to act more confidently on its environmental impacts, engage suppliers more effectively, and embed measurable carbon management practices into day-to-day operations.