LGA corporate environmental policy

Introduction

In July 2019 the General Assembly passed resolution to declare a climate emergency and to encourage councils to link their local priorities with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

In July 2021 the General Assembly passed a further resolution encouraging councils to continue their work to address climate change and calling on government to ensure adequate local government representation at COP26 in order to promote councils’ significant role in reducing carbon emissions and champion progress at local level to tackle climate change.

As the voice of local government, the LGA aims to lead by example. This policy sets out our commitment to tackling the climate and ecological emergency and the steps we will take in order to achieve this.

Our commitment

We are committed to tackling the climate and ecological emergency by 

• reducing emissions from our estate and our operations 
• improving the environmental sustainability of our procurement of goods and services and 
• reducing our dependence on non-renewable materials 
• monitoring our environmental impacts and identifying areas for improvement.

Our objectives

Through our organisational policies and practices and the use of our buildings, the LGA will seek to:

• minimise our carbon dioxide emissions
• minimise our energy usage
• increase our use of renewable energy
• minimise waste and promote use of recycling facilities
• reduce transport pollutants and emissions
• use materials efficiently and procure material and services from sustainable sources
• continue to adapt our working practices to reflect climate change resilience.

To achieve this, we will:

• keep our policies and practices under review to ensure that they contribute to combatting the adverse effects of climate change
• develop and deliver a Green Action Plan setting out our commitment to Net Zero and how we intend to achieve that 
• using data from our annual carbon emissions audits, minimise the environmental impact of 18 Smith Square
• require our external contractors to demonstrate that they have in place environmentally sustainable policies and practices
• encourage sustainable travel practices through our flexible working policy, staff and members’ expenses policies and continued participation in national sustainable travel initiatives such as the Cycle to Work scheme
• ensure that our IT and AV provision continues to support virtual and hybrid working.

Delivery arrangements and responsibilities

All LGA members, managers and staff have a role in and responsibility for delivering this policy. That includes taking and implementing decisions and delivering services and activities in line with the policy.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

We will use the following KPI’s to measure and demonstrate progress on the delivery of this Policy. Baseline dates will be established and reviewed on an annual basis:

          KPI 1  Carbon emissions from 18 Smith Square

          KPI 2  Energy consumption from 18 Smith Square

          KPI 3  Staff business travel mileage
 

Annual emissions 2022/2023