Environmental Policy

Introduction and scope

“Sustainable development” is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. A key part of this is to ensure that we protect the environment. This policy aims to  ensure that Cyngor ar Bopeth Conwy Gwynedd Citizens Advice manages and mitigates, as far as possible, the impact of its activities on the environment. We consider this to be the duty of a responsible recipient of public funding.

This policy applies to all Cyngor ar Bopeth Conwy Gwynedd Citizens Advice employees and premises, and to services, agency staff and contractors funded by the organisation.

Principles

Cyngor ar Bopeth Conwy Gwynedd Citizens Advice will follow the principles of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle, and will give high priority to reducing its impact on the environment.

The policy will have a three-yearly action plan with targets that will be monitored and which fits in with the organisation’s business plan.

This policy will not result in passing on financial costs or environmental burdens to staff or partners. The focus will be on rewarding good rather than penalising damaging activities.

Every activity and project will as part of its management routines consider its environmental impact and how these can be mitigated.

We will provide education and training to staff to ensure that all staff are aware of this policy and how they can contribute.

Responsibilities

Cyngor ar Bopeth Conwy Gwynedd Citizens Advice organisation recognises that all staff share responsibility for the environment.

The Chief Executive is the champion for this policy and is responsible for ensuring that the annual action plan is implemented.

The Chief Executive is the senior manager who will promote this policy and co-ordinate related work.

The Chief Executive is responsible for monitoring energy and water use, and providing guidance to staff on best practice.

The Chief Executive is responsible for ensuring that the environmental impact is taken into account when supplies and services are being contracted.

The Chief Executive is responsible for relevant policies, for example, a Cycle to Work Scheme, or a Green Transport Policy (These are not currently in place).

Key environmental impacts

The principal environmental impacts created by the activities of Cyngor ar Bopeth

Conwy Gwynedd Citizens Advice are:

• Direct use of non-renewable carbon fuels in its buildings
• Direct use of non-renewable carbon fuels in transport
• Use of scarce and/or non-renewable raw materials in the items it purchases
• Disposal of waste products.

Premises

Cyngor ar Bopeth Conwy Gwynedd Citizens Advice will seek to reduce the amount of energy and water used within our premises. We will ensure that all our premises are energy- and water-efficient. We will identify where capital investment can provide cost-effective returns by saving energy and money.

If we move premises we will assess potential buildings for environmental impact, as far as resources allow.

We will seek to influence the managers of buildings in which we have outreaches to make their premises and practices as sustainable as possible.

Transport

Cyngor ar Bopeth Conwy Gwynedd Citizens Advice recognises that car travel by staff contributes to our carbon outputs and so staff will restrict car travel to necessary trips, using whenever possible public transport (bus, train and underground) or bicycle.

We will reduce the number of face-to-face meetings by encouraging increased use of video conferencing. We will, however, take into account the continued need for face-to-face meetings where teams will be working remotely.

Air travel is the fastest growing source of greenhouse gases and it will only be permitted for business use where there is a clear benefit, e.g. a significant saving of staff time.

Cyngor ar Bopeth Conwy Gwynedd Citizens Advice will ensure that all office locations, training venues and meeting locations are easily accessible by public transport.

7. Supplies and purchasing

We are committed to reducing the environmental impact of our operations, and will seek to reduce supplies and products used.

Cyngor ar Bopeth Conwy Gwynedd Citizens Advice will minimise as far as possible its use of paper, and will seek to maximise electronic communication.

Staff are encouraged to print out only essential documents and to print double-sided where technology allows. The need for printed materials will be kept under constant review, and over-ordering will be discouraged.

Wherever practicable, products used will be:

• Zero-waste products.
• Produced in an environmentally sustainable manner.
• Those which demonstrate maximum durability or biodegradability.
• Repairable.
• Energy-efficient in production or use.
• Non-toxic in production or use.
• Reusable or recyclable.
• Made of recycled materials.

Cyngor ar Bopeth Conwy Gwynedd Citizens Advice will take reasonable steps to assess suppliers’ policies and practices and will seek to ensure that they minimise their environmental impact.

Disposal of waste

Cyngor ar Bopeth Conwy Gwynedd Citizens Advice encourages the reuse and repair of products, to avoid premature disposal.

Each location will ensure the maximum recycling of paper, cardboard, glass, plastic, tins, batteries and printer cartridges. Where possible, specific recycling bins will be used and labelled appropriately.

Redundant furniture, IT equipment and mobile phones will be donated to other users, or recycled.

Awareness and education

We realise that staff who are well informed are more likely to assist in reducing the environmental impact. We will highlight and publicise helpful reports and guidance to staff and we will encourage all staff to read and learn from these. Where appropriate we will support links with external organisations which can help raise awareness and provide guidance.

Monitoring and review

This policy will be reviewed annually.