Zero Carbon

Reducing building energy demand and meeting it from zero/low carbon and renewable resources

Energy saving appliances

• buy A-rated kitchen appliances, washing machines, dishwasher, microwave, fridge, cooker and kettle;
• lease and/or buy energy efficient office equipment; photocopiers, scanners, printers;
• use energy efficient lighting; retrofit spotlights with energy efficient versions

Energy conservation strategies

• office equipment set to energy saving settings;
• post notices and email monthly reminders to encourage staff to turn off lights, computer monitors and other office equipment at the end of the day;
• turn off all lights and air conditioning unit and heaters at the end of the day;
• install light sensors;
• set heating so it is only on when required and set to no more than 19 degrees;
• maximise the natural ventilation by encouraging staff to open windows rather than using air conditioning, possibly by putting a notice on the notice board and emailing all staff.

Renewable energy

• switch to a service provider who offsets their carbon;
• consider options for solar photovoltaics or solar water heating;
• consider investing in a wind turbine to meet the energy demand of the company.
• switch to a green electricity supplier to instantly achieve zero-carbon electricity at work. Try Good Energy (pictured below) or Ecotricity. For every business who switches to Good Energy 100% renewable electricity, the BioRegional charity receives a a donation of up to £120. We promise to spend it developing more solutions for sustainability

Zero Waste

Reducing waste arising, reclaiming, recycling and recovering. In an office as much as 70% of the waste can be paper.

Sustainable Transport

Reducing the need to travel and providing sustainable alternatives to private car use

Reducing the need to travel

• provide for home working by providing laptops, setting up remote access and possibly subsidising broadband connections;
• install teleconferencing facilities in meeting rooms and on staff computers, and provide training.

Supporting sustainable transport

• provide secure lock ups for cycles, shower facilities and clothes lockers;
• give financial incentives for cyclists to travel to meetings by bike;
• offer loans for public transport season ticket and cycle purchase;
• if the company has car allowances, have a preferential rate for hybrid or low carbon (<150g CO2/km) vehicles;

Carbon offset of flights and long journeys

• record all journeys over 50 miles so the carbon can be offset with a reputable organisation

Local and Sustainable Materials

Materials chosen for buildings and infrastructure to give high performance in use with minimised impact in manufacture and delivery

Procurement

• develop a sustainable procurement policy;
• buy recycled paper;
• use recycled headed paper;
• buy recycled and reusable/refillable stationery;
• buy reclaimed furniture and recycle your own, giving unwanted material to local scrap stores.

Low impact materials

• when redecorating, use natural paints;
• lease carpet from a low impact carpet supplier;
• use low impact printing where possible;

Outputs

• brochures, annual reports to be on recycled paper and to be recyclable.

Local and Sustainable Food

Consumption of local, seasonal and organic produce, with reduced amount of food waste, animal protein and packaging

Catering

• buy organic, Fairtrade tea, coffee, milk, sugar, fruit, wine, beer etc. for staff and meetings;
• provide food that is local, seasonal and organic for staff and for functions, and use caterers that understand these requirements;
• offer vegetarian and vegan options, or make these the default;
• avoid purchasing highly processed foods;
• encourage staff to cook their own food at work, perhaps with a lunch club, to reduce packaging from ready meals;
• reduce food waste in the office;

Staff lifestyles

• consider organising a local, organic and/or fair trade wine tasting session to promote their consumption;
• provide facilities and lessons for cooking with leftovers, local organic and seasonal vegetables, etc.

Sustainable Water

Reduced water demand with rain and waste water managed sustainably

Reduce water use

• install water efficient appliances, toilets taps, showers, dishwashers;
• remove bottled water dispensers.

Natural Habitats & Wildlife

Existing biodiversity conserved and opportunities taken to increase ecological value

Culture & Heritage

Cultural heritage acknowledged and interpreted. Sense of place and identity engendered to contribute towards future heritage

Equity & Fair Trade

Create a sense of community. Provide accessible, inclusive and affordable facilities and services.

Promote Fairtrade

• buy fair-trade goods, see Local and Sustainable Food;
• consider ethical banking and investment;
• offer an ethical pension option for staff, and make sure that this option is expressly mentioned when discussing pension options.

Equity in the office

• consider showing wage transparency, and setting a maximum wage multiplier between highest and lowest paid;
• ensure all staff are paid a living wage, which guarantees a basic quality of housing, food, utilities, transport, health care, and recreation from a reasonable amount of work;
• have good disabled access and disabled toilets and conform with the Disability Discrimination Act;
• have a policy of equal opportunities for people irrespective of gender, sexual orientation or religion;
• support for parents, offering above the statutory minimum maternity and paternity benefits and flexible working hours;
• encourage staff participation in the development of your business, for example by including all staff in general meetings, becoming a worker cooperative or job sharing.

Health & Happiness

Promote health and wellbeing. Establish long-term management and support strategies

Involvement

• involve the staff in the sustainability action plan, email asking who would like to be involved, create a notice board, include initiatives in the company newsletter;
• encourage the staff to become involved in the project through participatory initiatives; such as a green competition on the notice board, showing who has recycled the most, highlighting a green employee of the quarter in the newsletter;
• highlight unsustainable behaviour, i.e. put a notice on the notice board and email round whenever lights/monitors are left on overnight;
• subscribe to some green publications to keep staff informed.

Volunteering

• allow staff members to spend 2 days a year to volunteer;
• plan staff away days or events to benefit a community and involve voluntary work as well as team-building and bonding.

Health

• promoting sports, have a list of running, cycling routes on the company notice board;
• subsidise gym membership for staff to encourage a healthy lifestyle;
• a healthy office environment, non-smoking and with plants (especially spider plants) in the office to help reduce office pollution;
• reduce noise pollution by using screens in between desks, asking for consideration to neighbours and having a policy of quiet ring tones for mobile phones in the office.