Interim Sustainability Action Plan

(First published May 2006 – updated May 2007)

Background

This action plan sets out the Charity Commission’s own approach to sustainable development and the actions it will be taking in the near future. In March 2005 the Government published Securing the Future – Delivering the UK Sustainable Development Strategy. This sets out the Government’s approach to enabling all people throughout the world to satisfy their basic needs and enjoy a better quality of life without compromising the quality of life for future generations. As part of this strategy all government departments are committed to producing their own action plan to contribute to delivery of this aim.

The Charity Commission is a small non ministerial department. It employs around 500 staff on four sites across England and Wales and has a budget of a little over £30 million a year.

The Charity Commission regulates 193,000 independent charities in England and Wales. The sector has an annual income of over £4 billion and employs some 600,000 people in the UK and around the world. We aim to promote good governance in these charities as well as dealing with aspects of poor practice. Through our work with charities we are in a position to promote the wider sustainability agenda. A number of the charities we regulate are themselves established to promote sustainability.

Better regulation

The Commission is committed to consultation with the sector before it issues changes in policy that may impact on the work of the sector. We are committed to carrying out full Regulatory Impact Assessments where needed in line with Cabinet Office guidance and to consider economic, social and environmental impacts that may arise.

International work

The Commission has a small team engaged in work of charities operating internationally.  Whilst this is funded primarily to focus on issues of terrorism that could inadvertently be supported by charities it can also work alongside those seeking to promote sustainability in the poorest countries of the world.

Managing how we work

The Commission is committed to a range of measures to reduce the impact on the environment from its own expenditure. We undertake a range of green housekeeping measures for example:

• Increasing recycling – paper and toner cartridges primarily but also staff waste items (glass, plastic, cans)
• Reducing energy consumption – turning off appliances and lights whenever possible, regulating air conditioning and using low energy appliances e.g. computers, printers, white goods
• Encourage staff to travel on business using public transport
• Purchase green energy i.e. electricity generated from renewable sources

Our four office locations are in leased and multi occupied buildings. This reduces the opportunities and ease with which we can make changes (like those to environmental management systems) that promote sustainability.

We are however looking to work with Carbon Trust to produce an Environmental Management System (EMS). This is within our action plan as a target.

Raising awareness

Our action plan is available to all our staff on our intranet site and will be drawn to their attention. Senior management awareness will be raised by briefing at the Executive Group and Leadership Group forums.

Action plan

• Improve environmental awareness amongst staff.
  Target: September 2007 Lead: Head of FM.

• Promote green housekeeping measures.
  Target: All year lead: Head of FM.

• Ensure continued roll out of electronic records document management system and online services initiatives to reduce need for paper.
  Target: Systems fully operational by end 2007 Lead: Head of Business Enablement.

• Review of energy use by Carbon Trust and implement recommendations on energy efficiency.
  Target: October 2007 Lead: Head of FM.

• Achieve EMS Certification for all building if feasible.
  Target: Mid 2007 Lead: Head of FM

Our action plan will be reviewed annually.