SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENTPOLICY

Definitions

Sustainable development is about ensuring a better quality of life for everyone, now and for generations to come by:

  • Creating a more inclusive society where everyone shares the benefits of increased economic prosperity
  • Protecting and improving the environment
  • Ensuring we do not waste natural resources

The UK government definition of sustainable development involves meeting four objectives at the same time:

1.1Social progress which recognises the needs of everyone (Sharing in increased prosperity, enjoying a cleaner environment, improving access to services, tackling social exclusion, reducing the impact of poverty, poor housing, unemployment and pollution)

1.2Effective protection of the environment (Reduce effects of climate change, poor air quality, and toxic chemicals and protect and conserve the things that people value)

1.3Prudent use of natural resources (Efficient use of non-renewable resources and sensitive use of renewable resources)

1.4 Maintaining high and stable levels of economic growth and employment

(An educated and skilled workforce, supportive infrastructure and investment for high living standards and job opportunities)

Aims

INSERT ORGANISATION NAMEis committed to working towards sustainable development by meeting the needs of the present without compromising the interests of future generations

  1. Social progress that recognises the needs of everyone by:

1.1Building strong partnerships with other organisations and sectors

1.2Increasing community participation in local affairs

1.3Promoting good citizenship

1.4Supporting “quality of life” development, especially where there is disadvantage and special need

1.5Ensuring access to services to all

  1. Adopting Sustainable Development in managing the Orchard by:

2.1Adopting policies and procedures that preserve the Orchard building and enhance the biodiversity of its grounds

2.2Annually review our working practices to seek to reduce, reuse and re-cycle materials that we consume

2.3Buy re-cycled or environmentally friendly products wherever possible

2.4Ask suppliers to demonstrate that they meet Environmental Management Quality Standards (such as ISO 14001)

2.5Include environmental considerations in service contracts (see HCC “Green Buying Guide” at

2.6Use local suppliers

2.7Pay invoices promptly

2.8Maintain and improve productivity levels of our services to keep down costs to the community

  1. Adopting sustainable development in INSERT ORGANISATION NAMEworking practices by:

3.1Minimise waste eg unnecessary photocopying; printing e-mails; sharing files

3.2Save energy by switching off lights; fuel efficiency

3.3Reduce car mileage by considering public transport, cycling, combining journeys, car sharing, walking, working from home

4. Twelve Themes to Consider

The following list is put forward to illustrate the major themes of sustainable development. Don’t think of these as 12 separate things; remember the relationship between the butterfly flapping its wings in China and the tornado in Birmingham?

  1. Community co-operation- to do with the rights and duties we all have as members of our community
  2. Water Air and Soil- our natural environment and how we use or abuse it
  3. Shaping our surroundings- our man-made environment and how we can conserve and enhance it
  4. Biodiversity- our wildlife and how we preserve or destroy it
  5. Purchasing and procurement- how our spending decisions have profound social and environmental effects
  6. Improving health and social well-being- how social, environmental and economic conditions impact on health
  7. Waste- just look at the waste mountain and think!
  8. Social inclusion- recognising the needs of everyone
  9. Developing a sustainable local economy- productivity, employment and investment. Our standard of living and how we sustain it
  10. Travel and transport- a necessary evil? How will we prioritise the necessary and minimise the evil?
  11. Crime and disorder- how to reduce the causes of crime and live in safer communities?

12. Climate change and energy use- surely you don’t mean my fridge, gas-guzzler, fossil fuel use, do you?

Equality and Diversity

We aim to be an organisation that values, recognises and responds to the diverse needs of members and those we serve. We adhere to the Equality Act 2010 and will not discriminate against any person or other organisation with particular reference to the protected characteristics
Monitoring and Review
The Senior Management Team, with adequate consultation of the Board of Trustees, will regularly review the operation of this policy.

Compiled with assistance from Morlan Gil Human Resources

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INSERT ORGANISATION NAME Sustainable Environment Policy 1