Environmental And Sustainability Policy
1. INTODUCTION
1.1. DMR Training and Consultancy Ltd (DMR) recognises the importance of respecting the environment and environmental protection and is committed to operating its business responsibly and in compliance with all legal requirements to minimise its environmental impact. It is DMR’s policy to operate with and to maintain effective relationships with all regulatory bodies.
1.2. Climate change is a serious global issue that poses many risks to the environment, organisations and individuals. We can already see its impact through sea level rise, ocean acidification and extreme weather events, and this will worsen as global temperatures rise. How great the impact will be depends upon our success in reducing greenhouse gas emissions such as carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide.
1.3. Environmental sustainability can be defined as creating and maintaining conditions under which humans and nature can exist in harmony to support present and future generations.
1.4. Net zero means achieving a balance between the carbon emitted into the atmosphere, and the carbon removed from it. This balance – or net zero – will happen when the amount of carbon we add to the atmosphere is no more than the amount removed. For organisations, this means reducing carbon emissions as much as possible, as quickly as possible. The remainder can then be offset.
1.5. Since the adoption of the Paris Agreement in 2015, which aims to limit global warming increases to below 2°C and preferably 1.5°C from pre-industrial levels, 145 countries across the world have, or are considering, net zero targets by 2050.
1.6. Legislation is continuously changing and evolving to ensure that UK businesses are reacting to mitigate and adapt to the increasing effects of climate change.
1.7. To maintain effective environmental and sustainability management, DMR will seek the support and co-operation of all members of staff, learners, contractors and visitors.
1.8. The DMR Managing Director has overall responsibility for the development of and implementation of this policy.
1.9. DMR believes that its delivery of qualifications and training programmes presents a low risk to the environment. Nevertheless, DMR aims to maintain the highest possible environmental care standard for members of staff, learners and local communities.
2. POLICY OBJECTIVES
2.1. It is DMR’s objective to carry out all reasonably practicable measures to meet and exceed necessary regulatory requirements and to continually improve environmental performance by: –
2.1.1. DMR’s senior management demonstrating a commitment to environmental protection by active involvement and the provision of resources.
2.1.2. Regularly monitoring and assessing the environmental effects of DMR’s activities in meeting policy objectives;
2.1.3. Implementing a Carbon Reduction Plan;
2.1.4. Providing training (including at the induction stage) and guidance on sustainable practice to members of staff and learners on environmental issues, by implementing effective management systems and improving and maintaining awareness of the importance of behaving in an environmentally responsible manner;
2.1.5. Minimising the production of waste;
2.1.6. Minimising material and energy wastage;
2.1.7. Promoting the use of recyclable and renewable materials;
2.1.8. Reducing and/or limiting the production of pollutants to water, land and air;
2.1.9. Controlling noise emissions;
2.1.10. Minimising the risk to the general public, learners and members of staff from operations and activities undertaken by DMR;
2.1.11. Responding to the concerns of local communities and other interested parties in relation to environmental issues and respecting the local wildlife and general environments to the fullest extent possible;
2.1.12. Ensuring that applicable legislation, regulations and codes of practice are adhered to on all DMR’s premises;
2.1.13. Providing training, qualification and development opportunities to allow members of staff, employer partners and learners to maximise their potential and to meet the labour market skills needs of employers;
2.1.14. Delivering a number of low carbon related nationally recognised qualifications to learners.
2.1.15. Seeking to embed sustainability within other DMR qualifications and training programmes;
2.1.16. Encouraging participation and consultation with members of staff and learners on sustainable initiatives;
2.1.17. Working in partnership with local communities and local authorities towards sustainable improvements in local areas;
2.1.18. Meeting the requirements of devolved local authorities’, lead training providers’ and stakeholders’ own policies and procedures.
3. PROCEDURES
3.1. DMR will ensure as far as possible that its business is conducted in a manner that improves energy efficiency and seeks to eliminate waste.
3.2. DMR will provide guidance and support to identify ways in assisting learners to achieve their career and development aspirations.
3.3. DMR will seek to identify opportunities to align curriculum activities with environmental, sustainability and ethical objectives during all qualification and training programme delivery. This will improve learners’ awareness and understanding of environmental issues and sustainable development and encourage them to be more active participants in environmental initiatives.
3.4. DMR will support employers by delivering qualifications and training programmes to meet skills gaps, including a number of low carbon related nationally recognised qualifications.
3.5. DMR will seek opportunities to use more blended approaches to qualification and training programme delivery such as e-learning, electronic portfolios and virtual delivery sessions.
3.6. DMR will endeavour to prioritise the use of local suppliers wherever possible for purchases and supplies to reduce the impact of transport on the environment. Such suppliers will be expected to share DMR’s commitment to environmental protection.
3.7. DMR will provide recycling bins wherever possible and will use a recycling company to collect all recyclable materials. Paper, cardboard, plastic, glass, ink cartridges will be recycled whenever possible and plastic wallets, ring binders, files etc. will be reused whenever possible.
3.8. DMR will seek to reduce waste by deploying e-portfolios, using ICT/internet-based materials rather than paper-based materials etc. wherever possible. Documents will be stored or transmitted electronically to reduce the level of printing.
3.9. DMR will seek to conserve energy by monitoring the use of heating, using energy efficient materials, turning off lights/computers etc. when not in use.
3.10. DMR will promote the use of more sustainable modes of transport by encouraging members of staff and learners to walk, cycle, use public transport and car share wherever possible.
3.11. DMR will facilitate remote working by members of staff where practicable to assist in the reduction of travelling and paper, catered food and energy resources.
3.12. DMR will facilitate, where practicable, flexible work opportunities for members of staff to assist in the reduction of travelling, paper, catered food and energy resources.
3.13. DMR will promote the creation of a high-quality working and learning environment through the discouragement of litter, graffiti, noise and light pollution.
4. REVIEW
4.1. This policy will be reviewed at least annually.
• Implementation date: August 2013.
• Last review date: June 2025.