UKAS joins the influential Aldersgate Group

The Aldersgate Group is a politically impartial, multi-stakeholder alliance, with a mission to drive collective action for a prosperous, sustainable and decarbonised economy. The group’s broad membership includes some of the largest businesses in the UK, leading NGOs, professional institutes, public sector bodies and trade associations.

Membership of the Aldersgate Group is by invitation only and must be approved by current members.  As a new member, UKAS joins existing partners and stakeholders, such as IEMA, Energy Saving Trust, the Forestry Commission and National Grid, as well as many other influential individuals and leading organisations from across the economy. Together, they work through the Aldersgate Group to trigger policy change that addresses environmental challenges effectively, affordably and in a way that maximises economic benefit across the UK.

UKAS accreditation underpins a range of activities that serve to protect the health, safety and security of society and of the wider environment, providing trust and confidence through market assurance. Government policies that require or encourage accreditation, the memorandum of understanding that UKAS has with government and the international mutual recognition arrangements on accreditation that UKAS has signed up to, all provide a robust framework within which UKAS operates in the public interest. UKAS’s environmental, energy and wider sustainability work resonates with the Aldersgate Group’s agenda, offers clarity on the role and use of accreditation as a critical policy and market governance tool, and supports the group’s initiatives and advocacy.

UKAS CEO, Matt Gantley, commented on UKAS’s membership of Aldersgate Group:

“Impactful engagement and collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders is a crucial part of UKAS’s role as the UK’s National Accreditation Body. Joining Aldersgate Group allows us to contribute to this valuable collective knowledge and effort, further widening the opportunity for accreditation to support the nation as we work together toward a decarbonised, sustainable economy.”

Rachel Solomon Williams, Executive Director at the Aldersgate Group, said:

“Clear standards and accreditations have a vital role to play in ensuring that decarbonisation plans are credible and deliverable. They are a crucial tool in ensuring good governance in the private sector. We are looking forward to collaborating with UKAS as we continue to advocate for an ambitious decarbonisation and nature restoration policy programme that drives prosperity across the UK. Their expertise in this vital area will bolster our recommendations and provide us with an invaluable perspective on the process of lowering emissions for businesses.”