The SWT is committed to developing and implementing environmentally responsible practices in all of its operations. The pursuit of this aim will follow two main themes:

1. To maximise environmental benefits through the successful implementation of the SWT’s basic objective - to conserve and enhance Sussex wildlife and its habitats.
2. To minimise the impact of SWT operations on the environment, both in the direct actions we take and in the repercussion of decisions we make.

The first of these themes is outlined in our Vision for the Wildlife of Sussex, where positive conservation objectives are set, and then progressed in our Development Plan and work programmes. This aspect of our work is therefore inherent within the business of the Trust, but we also have a duty to behave in an environmentally responsible manner. This document therefore develops the second of these themes.

The objective of SWT environmental policy is to minimise the environmental footprint of SWT operations.
The reason is threefold:
1. we have a duty to behave in an environmentally responsible way, like all businesses,
2. to do otherwise and so permit environmentally damaging activities, would be to contradict the basic
aim of the SWT and
3. as an environmental organisation we must be seen to set a good example to other businesses

We will strive to achieve best environmental practice in all themes in order to fulfil the environmental policy, but we recognise that it may not be possible to achieve this initially. In the short term the best
environmental choice may not always be available or adequate, however due consideration must be demonstrated. The following will be used to asses the environmental acceptability of all aspects of the SWT ‘s work. To achieve this policy we will set targets and monitor our environmental performance.

Our environmental effects are a result as much of the decisions we make as from our direct activities.
The SWT will therefore promote the following themes in its decision-making process:

Promotion of practices to staff and volunteers

The SWT will foster a sense of environmental responsibility amongst all staff and volunteers. To do this staff and volunteers will be required to note and act upon themes outlined in this policy document.
All SWT departments will prepare a checklist against which to assess the environmental acceptability of all their activities.

Environment policy in relation to decisions we make
Regarding our purchasing and contracting policy we will:

Obtain copies of their environmental policy from all our suppliers and contractors. Make the quality of a supplier’s or contractor’s environmental policy a material consideration in contract decisions.
Ensure consideration is given to our environmental policy when writing tenders for work.
Ensure appropriate environmental certification of all products we buy (eg locally sourced, FSC certified timber only)
Within purchasing and contractor choices select the best practicable environmental option
Within reason, obtain life-cycle analysis of materials we purchase and ensure that no stage of a material’s life cycle is unacceptably environmentally damaging. This should include views on design,
packaging, manufacture, distribution, use and disposal of the product itself and of any waste or by-product.
Pay due regard to transport implications of purchasing decisions we make. This should normally mean that local products and our own materials should be chosen over distant ones. (eg use timber from our own sustainably managed woodlands).

Pay due regard to waste implications of purchasing decisions we make. This should normally mean selecting biodegradable materials and those producing low pollution wastes both in manufacture and after disposal (eg low solvent paints).
Pay due regard to resource use resulting from the purchasing decisions we make. This should include resources used in the manufacture of the product (eg water, energy) as well as the materials of which the product is formed.
Best environmental options may not always be available or adequate but we will use our pressure as an organisation or a consumer to press for change.

Promotion of practices to others (members, corporate members and the wider public)
To promote environmentally responsible behaviour in others the SWT will: Promote products that produce environmental (especially biodiversity) gain through example in our practices and through representation to others. Examples:

Wood products - local charcoal, coppice products, timber. . .
Locally sourced food from environmentally beneficial farming methods.
Reedbed foul water filtration.
However the SWT is a conservation organisation, not an alternative technology centre, so we will not trial uneconomic, experimental alternative technologies unless there is a clear reason to do so.

Promote the use of environmentally sympathetic practice in the campaigns and promotions we run.
For example promote the use of peat free compost and the avoidance of limestone rock in our gardening for wildlife initiative.
Work alongside, alone and with other organisations to promote and support community involvement in conservation.

Environment policy and the direct activities of the SWT
The SWT will promote the following themes when conducting its own activities:

Transport
Transport to and from the office, where possible promote:

Use of public transport
walking and cycling
lift sharing
Transport whilst conducting SWT business

Reduce need to travel. For example promote phone/e-mail over meetings
Promote use of public transport by staff and through the choice of accessible venues
Use energy efficient, well-maintained vehicles
Investigate purchase of vehicles using alternative fuels (eg electric or LPG)

Resource use

Materials

Minimise paper use through efficient use of e-technology
Use recycled products wherever possible, for example:
Recycle our own paper and card.
Re-use envelopes etc.
Energy

Complete an energy audit for work carried out by the SWT and act on its findings.
Low energy light bulbs
Use thermally efficient materials and designs in any maintenance or rebuild in SWT properties.
Environmentally responsible practice in staff and volunteers

Water

Low water use appliances
Environmentally responsible practice in staff and volunteers
Investigate grey-water recycling

Waste and pollution
Within the office support the waste hierarchy, ie, in order of priority:

Reduce the amount of waste the SWT produces
Re-use as many materials as possible internally (eg paper)
Send away for re-use materials that can not be used internally (eg bottles)
Establish a SWT compost area in appropriate locations in order to recycle materials on site.
Recycle or send away for recycling materials which cannot be re-used internally (eg printer toner cartridges).
Send away for final disposal all materials that cannot be dealt with in a more environmentally sympathetic manner.

The SWT will continually review its environmental policy to ensure that it is always in the lead in the promotion and implementation of best environmental practice.

Tony Whitbread
Director

Policy Approved by Council 19 June 2002