Greater Lincolnshire MOVE Project Partnership. Sustainable Development Policy

Transcription

1 Greater Lincolnshire MOVE Project Partnership Sustainable Development Policy Version control Version Author Purpose/ Changes Made Date number 1.0 Jennie Initial issue of policy to partners Jennie Annual review, no changes made Jennie Addition of logos and full version control Document control Document name: MOVE Sustainable Development Policy Version Number 2.0 Author Jennie, MOVE Project Coordinator Date Approved Document Status Approved Effective Date Approved By Ben Barley, CEO Urban Challenge Superseded Version 1.1 Date of Next Review Signed: Ben Barley, Chief Executive Officer, Urban Challenge Date:

2 1. Statement of Intent The MOVE project s sustainable development action plan sets out the Partnership s commitment to supporting sustainable development. It covers how the partnership will operate internally to be more sustainable and how it will work with participants to encourage them to make positive sustainability choices. We recognise that many Partners have been working to integrate sustainable development principles and practices into their policies and ways of working already and we will seek to learn from and build on this practice as we move forward. We also recognise that to achieve meaningful outcomes, sustainable development must be embedded at every level of delivery and management. The principles underpinning the MOVE Partnership s approach to sustainability are: Knowledge and skills: equipping partners and participants with the knowledge, skills and confidence to make sustainable choices and promote environmentally responsible behaviours. Low carbon: becoming low carbon, resource efficient, and encourage sustainable travel practices by staff, volunteers and participants. Reducing waste: minimising waste production and diverting waste from landfill through increasing re-use, recycling and recovery. Wellbeing: enhancing the health and wellbeing of project staff, volunteers, participants and the wider community. The commitment outlined in this policy covers all aspects of the MOVE Project and it is expected that all employees, agency workers volunteers and beneficiaries who work on behalf of, represent or engage with the MOVE Project will adhere to the principles of this policy. Everyone involved in the MOVE Project plays a part in making sure that sustainable development is embedded in all aspects of our work. It will be the responsibility of all Partners, involve all staff, volunteers and beneficiaries in the implementation of this policy and the supporting action plan. All Partners involved in the MOVE Project will be expected to ensure the principles of the Sustainable Development Policy are understood and implemented. 2. Knowledge and Skills The Project Management Board will identify partner organisations with particular strengths in sustainable development and appoint two Sustainable Development Champions to advise the Board on developments in best practice and to participate in periodic reviews of this policy and the Sustainable Development Action Plan. Training on the principles and practice of sustainable development will be delivered to Partners and resources made available on the Partnership website. The Partnership will also endeavour to work with other Building Better Opportunities projects in the region to share knowledge and experience, and to promote a consistent approach to sustainable development across this and neighbouring LEP areas.

3 3. Energy Conservation Information will be available on the Partners website about conserving energy and natural resources; Partners will be expected to evidence that they encourage staff, volunteers and beneficiaries to take practical steps to reduce energy consumption, such as: Installation of timers on lights Keeping fridge running temperatures to 3-4 degrees Celsius Limiting thermostats. Locating messages about reducing energy consumption around Partners sites e.g. reminders to turn off monitors/ lights and how to report dripping taps. 4. Embedding Sustainable Development in Everyday Practice The Partnership will seek to implement simple, practical day-to-day environmental sustainability measures, for example: Reuse and refurbishment of furniture and office equipment. Only printing or photocopying when really necessary, using the double-sided and/or reduction facility whenever possible. Ensuring that buildings managers are given training on environmental issues. Encouraging biodiversity on sites e.g. creating/ maintaining habitats for plants and wildlife in gardens. Involvement in local environmental networks. 5. Reduction and Disposal of Waste The Partnership has a commitment to reduce, reuse and recycle waste wherever possible, or if items cannot be reused or recycled to dispose of waste using registered waste collectors. Partners will also observe and comply with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) regulations. Guidance, including that issued by the Department for Innovation and Skills, on the recovery, reuse, recycling and treatment of WEEE will be provided on the Partners website. 6. Sustainable Procurement Partners will be supported to explore sustainable procurement options including: Environmentally friendly cleaning materials, recycled paper. Local suppliers reduce food miles/ delivery distances. Highlight additional community benefits. Green energy tariffs The Partnership undertakes to seek to purchase Fairtrade, ethically sources or locally produced products where possible. Building environmental and ethical considerations into procurement decisions

4 Although MOVE is not a capital project, Partners will be encouraged to use contractors environmental questionnaires in the tenders, examining recycling policies, waste management, energy conservation and solar energy/ biomass boilers/ insulation. Partners will be asked to provide evidence of sustainable procurement practices, for example using invoices or procurement contracts. 7. Sustainable Transport Partners will be encouraged to develop sustainable travel plans, promoting to staff, volunteers and beneficiaries the use of green or public transport options. Practical measures that may be taken include: Promoting the benefits of green travel plans (including health/ fitness, lower noise levels, cleaner air) Reduction in trip distances Paying a mileage allowance for cycling Reducing the need to travel by using online or telephone meetings where possible. Car sharing to meetings Holding events locally to reduce distance travelled 8. Communication Sustainable development themes have been identified in the project communications plans (e.g. environmental impact, value of the project to local communities and individuals economic/ physical/ mental/ social wellbeing) and Partners will be expected to evidence how they have addressed these in their own communications with staff, volunteers, beneficiaries and external stakeholders. The Partnership website will be used to communicate developments in best practice, share case studies from across the Partnership and report to Partners on the progress being made towards the goals outlined in the Sustainable Development Action Plan. Participants will be introduced to sustainability concepts, for example by including sustainability messages in teaching resources and identifying ways in which environmental projects may be used to engage clients and/or support holistic progress (e.g. skills building, volunteering, gaining references, mental/ physical health and IT/ maths/ literacy skills). Information will be provided by Partners about public transport routes to support locations or about cycle paths / cycle storage on site when referrals/ appointments/ course bookings are made. National events such as Fairtrade Day and local and national sustainability awards will be promoted 9. Monitoring and Improvement The Partnership Sustainable Development Action Plan forms the basis of all monitoring, evaluation and continuous improvement activity across the Partnership. All Partners

5 have an equal responsibility to promote sustainability messages and to support progress towards achieving the goals outlined in the Plan. One way in which Partners will contribute to this will be by completing an annual sustainable development benchmarking exercise, identifying action points and progress made year-on-year. Each Partner will be expected to comply with this overarching Partnership Policy and to review their own Environmental/ Sustainability Policies annually. Compliance with this policy will be assessed and reported on as part of internal Partnership audits and evaluation processes. Sustainable development will be embedded in external and internal evaluation, which will highlight achievements and making recommendations for improvements in progress towards individual Partners action plans. Sustainable development will also be included in the evaluation of beneficiaries experience of the project. Sustainable development will be included as a standing item on all Project Management Board meeting agendas, and time given at each meeting to discuss progress towards goals.