ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY

Environmental Policy

Scope
This policy applies to all Eave colleagues, contractors, partners, volunteers, and third parties undertaking activities for, or on behalf of, Eave—including all services and resources accessed via the Eave website. It covers our digital operations (website hosting and maintenance), direct office operations, events (workshops, meetings, conferences), and any procurement of goods and services.

Purpose
To establish a clear framework for fulfilling Eave’s commitment to protecting— and where feasible enhancing—the environment by:

  • Minimising the environmental impacts associated with our digital and physical operations

  • Preventing pollution and resource wastage

  • Mitigating and adapting to climate change

  • Supporting a transition to a low-carbon future

Responsibilities

  • All staff, contractors, partners, volunteers, and third-party providers must adhere to this policy in their day-to-day activities.

  • Website administrators and IT providers are responsible for implementing energy-efficient practices related to hosting, server management, and content delivery.

  • Procurement teams must integrate environmental criteria—such as energy efficiency, recyclability, and supplier environmental performance—into every purchasing decision.

  • Senior Management will review this policy annually, ensure that objectives are being met, and report progress internally.

Policy Statement
Eave recognises that its activities—both online (through its website and digital services) and offline (through offices, events, and procurement)—have environmental impacts. The principal areas where Eave’s operations affect the environment include:

  1. Digital Carbon Footprint

    • Energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with website hosting, data storage, and data transfer.

    • Server maintenance and hardware lifecycle (procurement, use, disposal).

  2. Office Energy Use

    • Electricity and heating for Eave’s physical offices (lighting, HVAC, office equipment).

  3. Event-Related Impacts

    • Travel emissions for staff, speakers, and participants attending Eave workshops, training sessions, and conferences.

    • Waste generation at in-person events (printed materials, catering waste, single-use items).

  4. Procurement Decisions

    • Selection of IT hardware, office supplies, and other goods and services based on environmental criteria.

    • Supplier environmental performance and commitment to sustainable practices.

  5. Waste and Recycling

    • Electronic waste (e-waste) from retired or obsolete ICT equipment.

    • General office waste, including paper, plastics, and food packaging.

  6. Sustainable Events & Travel

    • Prioritise virtual or hybrid event formats to reduce travel-related emissions when feasible.

    • When in-person gatherings are necessary, select venues within easy reach of public transport and negotiate for local, seasonal, and vegetarian catering options to reduce food-related impacts.

    • Maintain an internal Travel Policy that encourages use of low-emission transport (train over short-haul flights, ride-sharing, cycling).

  7. Procurement & Supply Chain

    • Require key suppliers to submit an annual summary of their environmental performance (e.g., energy-use reductions, waste-diversion rates).

    • Include environmental criteria—such as recyclability, minimal packaging, and supplier carbon footprints—in all Requests for Proposal (RFPs) and purchase orders.

    • Give preference to local or regional suppliers to reduce transportation emissions where quality and cost are comparable.

  8. Waste Reduction & Recycling

    • Provide clearly labeled recycling bins in all office areas for paper, plastic, metals, and organic waste.

    • Transition to paperless operations for routine internal communications (e.g., newsletters, memos) and incentives (e.g., digital certificates rather than printed).

    • Partner with certified e-waste recyclers to securely and sustainably dispose of obsolete ICT hardware—tracking disposal certificates for audit.

  9. Continuous Improvement & Compliance

    • Conduct an annual environmental audit—covering digital, office, and event operations—to measure progress against emission-reduction targets.

    • Stay abreast of relevant environmental legislation (e.g., EU’s Digital Services Act, WEEE Directive for e-waste) and ensure full compliance.

    • Engage staff through regular training sessions and internal communications—sharing best practices for energy conservation, waste reduction, and sustainable procurement.

    • Solicit feedback from stakeholders (colleagues, partners, participants) on emerging environmental issues and incorporate suggestions into the annual review process.

Review & Governance

  • This policy will be reviewed annually by the Eave Senior Leadership Team—preferably in the first quarter of each calendar year—to ensure relevance, effectiveness, and alignment with evolving best practices and legal requirements.

  • Any updates to the policy or associated targets will be communicated to all stakeholders within one month of approval.

By committing to these principles and actions, Eave aims to minimise its environmental footprint—both online and offline—while fostering a culture of sustainability among colleagues, partners, and the communities we serve.