Write a meaningful environmental policy

If you can sum up your organisation’s commitment to reducing its environmental impact in less than one paragraph, you’re already halfway to formulating an effective environmental policy.

The most important things to bear in mind are:

• Keep it brief, and to the point – one side of A4 is enough
• Ditch the jargon and meaningless platitudes – if you're bored writing it, they're bored reading it

We have some examples to inspire you but don't be tempted to duplicate – your organisation is unique, your environmental impact is unique, and so too is your approach to reducing it.

First and foremost:

• Identify your most significant impacts – from fuel use to waste disposal
• Include emergency situations, such as spillages and power failures

Our handy checklist will ensure you have the whole picture, lending credibility to your policy and ensuring its thoroughness.

Keep in mind the importance of:

• Staff engagement – everyone in your organisation should feel ownership of your environmental policy, so keep them posted and value their contributions and comments
• Senior endorsement – responsibility goes all the way to the top, so get the bosses on board
• Publicity – do yourself a favour by communicating your environmental credentials with your public. It's good for business, and will keep you on your toes

Our download documents will help you create an environmental policy worth shouting about!