The UK’s emissions are falling. But what if the numbers are hiding a deeper problem?

In this episode of The Responsible Edge, Charlie Martin speaks with Sarah Le Gresley, Group Innovation and Sustainability Director at Michelmersh Brick Holdings, about the difference between territorial and consumption-based emissions and why it matters for British industry.

Sarah explains how emissions reductions across the UK ceramics sector are partly the result of factory closures, not just cleaner production. As manufacturing moves overseas, consumption remains unchanged, jobs disappear, and supply chains become more fragile.

“It’s not just an impact to our emissions,” Sarah says. “It’s an impact to our jobs.”

The conversation explores energy costs, offshoring, skills loss, and the unintended consequences of climate accounting that focuses on borders rather than behaviour.

“We are effectively offshoring manufacturing products to other countries,” Sarah says. “But we’re still consuming those products.”

This episode looks beyond headline targets to ask what responsibility really requires from climate policy, industry, and consumers.

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