Environmental Policy

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Signed: 06 May 2025.
To be reviewed: May 2027.

Aims

BDEF CIO (Bristol Disability Equality Forum) is committed to a policy of sound environmental management on its own account and in partnership with members, staff, trustees, volunteers and the wider Bristol Disabled people community. Our principal goal is to prevent harm to people and damage to the environment or property.

Applicability

We will reduce and effectively manage our impact in a responsible manner, by ensuring that environmental considerations are integrated into decision making.

This commitment is driven at all levels of the organisation and we devote time and resources to evaluating and reducing the effects that our work may have on the local environment.

Its requirements should be reflected in other policies and procedures, agreements and contracts, as necessary.

Background

We are facing a global climate and ecological emergency. We need to act now. Bristol has declared a Climate Emergency and communities have a critical role to play. In response to the Climate Emergency, Bristol has set itself the task of reducing direct and indirect carbon emissions to net zero by 2030.

While Bristol’s community of Disabled people is likely to be one of those most impacted by climate change and climate adaptation, it is one of the least responsible for emissions.

These impacts and increased risks could look like poverty, inaccessible resources, and prejudice and discrimination - and would mean that many Disabled people will struggle to understand and prepare for climate change. The changes that society makes to slow climate change can also create new barriers if carried out without thought (Bristol Disability Equality Forum Community Climate Action Plan, 2022).

There is a need to reduce emissions in our community in ways that actively improve Disabled people’s quality of life and avoid creating new barriers.

Impact on the environmnet

Examples of how organisations have an impact on the environment:

  • Air emissions - boilers and workshops.
  • Land contamination - oil and chemical storage.
  • Waste disposal - waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), hazardous materials and clinical wastes.
  • Water discharges - swimming pools, kitchens, offices and production facilities.
  • Resource use – energy, water and office supplies.

Managing the impact

Impact can be managed through the Waste Hierarchy below from best to worst:

  • Eliminate: Avoid producing waste in the first place
  • Reduce: Minimise the amount of waste you do produce
  • Reuse: Use items as many times, as possible
  • Recycle: Recycle what you can only after you have re-used it
  • Dispose: Dispose of what’s left in a responsible way

If BDEF is working with a commercial partner, we will enquire as to whether they have signed up to the TRUST registration scheme.

Implementation in practice

Where possible, BDEF CIO will take steps to making real the community owned actions outlined in the Bristol Disability Equality Forum Community Climate Action Plan, 2022.

We will consider the actions we can take in regards to the following areas using the Waste Hierarchy displayed previously:

  • Materials and Resources
  • Managing waste
  • Energy use
  • Water use
  • Emissions and transport

We will look for guidance in how to embed this in our everyday practice such as using the office energy efficiency guides from the Carbon Trust.

Suppliers

Whilst not an overriding factor in decision making, we will seek to work with suppliers who share our aims and who seek to minimise their environmental impact. Equally, in deciding which types of supplies/products we purchase, we will be mindful that some are less damaging than others and will take this into account.

Environmental impact will be considered as part of our procurement criteria, alongside quality, cost and accessibility.

If we make real our intention of building BDEF CIO’s investment, we will begin with a commitment to moving to ethical funds wherever reasonable to do so, by following Charity Commission guidance on balancing ethical investment and financial return. Where reasonably feasible, we will not invest in assets that are particularly polluting or damaging to the environment.

Management

To be fully effective, environmental awareness and action must be cascaded down through the management chain. For example, by:

  • Staff Induction & Training (induction courses, role definitions, development).
  • Communication & Accountability (newsletters, posters, supervision).
  • Monitoring & Reporting (annual environmental report, impact assessments).
  • Contractual Responsibility (staff contract clause).

We will produce an annual environmental report, presented alongside the organisation’s annual accounts. This might include statistical information on BDEF CIO’s annual relevant environmental criteria.

Events and premises

When organising events or using premises, we will:

  • Choose accessible venues that are committed to environmental good practice.
  • Minimise waste and encourage attendees to use low-carbon transport.
  • Ensure accessibility and sustainability are considered side by side in all planning.

Versions

There is an Easy Read version of this document in development. When it is finalised and signed off, it will be linked to here.

Review

This statement shall be reviewed every 2 years upon its adoption. An earlier review may take place if:

  • We approve a proposal that changes the policy
  • There’s a change to the organisation that will change the policy
  • There’s a change in the law that affects the policy
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