Wildlife Trusts Wales
Environment and Sustainability Policy
Wildlife Trusts Wales is the umbrella body for the six local Wildlife Trusts in Wales – Brecknock,
Gwent, Montgomeryshire, North Wales, Radnorshire and South and West Wales. Our collective
vision is an environment rich in wildlife for everyone, underpinning the wellbeing of people in
Wales and ultimately our own survival. We are all dependent on a healthy environment and an
abundance of wildlife is a key indicator of sustainability.
Our key objectives to achieve this aim are; to create a Living Landscape and to secure Living Seas;
to demonstrate how nature works; and to inspire people to take action for nature and champion
our work.
Wildlife Trusts Wales recognises that its activities may have a direct or indirect impact on the local
and global environment. WTW is committed to reducing any harmful effects on the environment
whilst conducting its activities and to promoting the continual environmental improvement of its
operations, processes and activities.
WTW signed the Welsh Government Sustainable Development Charter in 2011.
Responsibilities
Wildlife Trusts Wales is dedicated to meeting, and where appropriate exceeding, all relevant UK,
European and International environmental legislation and regulatory codes of practice. To this end,
WTW is committed in all its activities to ensuring that it acts to increase, conserve or promote
awareness of;
 biodiversity
 natural resources
 the philosophy and ethics or reduce, reuse and recycle
 the environment and sustainable development
 the aesthetic qualities of the built and natural environment.
The responsibility for monitoring and compliance to this policy lies with WTW Council. Its
implementation is based on the support and commitment of staff in fostering environmental
improvement, including raising awareness of the organisations of this policy.
Working practices and commitments
Biodiversity
The Trust will not undertake work for any group, organisation or client if there is reason to believe
that they are pursuing or likely to pursue activities that will cause unnecessary and avoidable
damage to the environment or biodiversity. As the Wildlife Trusts offices are on the 3rd floor of
rented accommodation there is little direct benefit the office can provide for biodiversity. However,
we will endeavour to inspire partners and communities to provide features to encourage
biodiversity onto their land holdings and premises.
Transport
All staff will be encouraged to use more sustainable forms of transport to meetings away from Baltic
House, including public transport, cycle or walk. Aiming towards a year on year reduction in mileage.
Where possible travel by air should be avoid unless there are time constraints or danger of not being
compliant with WTW travel by car policy i.e the travel time would be too excessive. Advice should be
sort from WTW CEO before booking any air travel.
To reduce the need to travel WTW will seek to use the most resource efficient technologies and
media for communicating.
Waste and recycling
The Trust will adopt a basic strategy of reduce, re-use and recycle. We will comply with recycling
standards at Baltic House and encourage reduction of waste and recycling when at meetings,
conferences or events away from the office. Consider re-using material before procurement, but
where necessary all procurement will take into account need to buy recycled products.
Procurement
Review the purchasing policy of the office and the environmental effects of the design, packaging
and distribution, use and disposal of all products and activities so that we can minimise the negative
environmental effects that results from our operations.
Energy and water saving
Being in rented offices means that there are limitations for Wildlife Trusts Wales to influence energy
use, reduction of water in flushing toilets etc. However the Trust engages with landlords to suggest
any improvements and aims to keep energy and water use to a minimum through other means.
Review and monitoring
The policy will be subject to annual review and will be communicated regularly to all staff, trustees
and made available to all interested parties.
Policy
Objective
Biodiversity
Promote environmental
management policies and
practices at every level and
in every area of the Trusts
activities.
Enable partners or
communities we come into
contact with to increase
their awareness and
understanding of
environmental issues, and
to acquire skills to increase
biodiversity and/or for
environmentally
responsible behaviour and
Action Point
Review this policy annual and aim to improve
performance annually
Promote events, conference and training opportunities
through WTW website and social media.
action.
Participate with other
local/national
organisations to promote
environmental credentials
Use the most resource
efficient technologies and
media for communicating
Transport
All staff will be encouraged
to use more sustainable
forms of transport
Ensure any vehicle
purchases take
environmental
performance into account
To reduce waste generated
by WTW by 10% by 2015
Waste
reduction
Target around 90%
recycled products
purchased
Purchasing decisions
ensure environmental
impacts are considered as
well as price. Endeavour to
use suppliers of goods and
Procurement
services that seek to
minimise their
environmental impact
Energy and
water saving
Reduce use of electricity
and water at the office and
at events, through
monitoring of use and
annual review
Investigate potential environmental accreditation for
WTW. Promote Biodiversity Benchmark to partners.
Teleconference facilities at Baltic House and use of
Skype where possible
Aim to reduce fuel consumption by vehicle sharing,
combining journeys and planning.
Promote cycling through having accessible cycle route
maps, provision of safe bike storage, cycle to work days
When purchasing buy most sustainable form of
transport
Provide recycling bins for paper, plastic, tins, glass and
food waste.
Purchase recycled products where available. Paper
(office use and printed publications) should be from recycled or FSC materials.
Identify opportunities to borrow or share resources
rather than purchasing new.
Re-use resources in office, such as paper (for memos),
envelopes etc.
Avoid purchasing disposable items such as plastic
plates, cutlery, cups. Buy reusable/, refillable/recyclable
products.
Equipment/materials should be offered to other
organisations instead of disposed of when no longer
needed.
Use natural resources prudently - Timber must be from
sustainable (managed) forests and locally produced
where possible, no peat or peat-based products, food
should be local and sustainably produced. Plants/trees
should be native/wildlife friendly
Use biodegradable or environmentally safe chemicals
and cleaning products
Purchases will be from locally manufactured or
available products /services where available or fairtrade
All new electrical items to be purchased on basis of
their energy efficiency where possible
Turn off computers, printers, etc when not in use.
These items must not be kept on standby.
Lights should be switched off at the end of the day.
Use electrical equipment efficiently and avoid use of
heaters and fans in preference to opening
windows/adjusting radiators.
Report leaky taps, pipes and toilets to landlord
immediately