Sustainability Policy for Performance Finance Ltd
1 Purpose
1.1 We recognise the importance of environmental issues and sustainability
and therefore will consider these matters in all our business decisions.
1.2 We have adopted a minimum set of standards to develop our environmental policy,
concentrating on processes that cut down waste, re-use resources and recycle wherever possible.
Where practicable, we aim to set internal standards which exceed the minimum legal requirements.
1.3 We will regularly audit our premises, equipment and procedures to ensure these are energy efficient and utilised to an acceptable standard.
1.4 This policy is not contractual but environmental issues are an integral part of our quality management process and we believe placing emphasis on this gives the right message to our employees, clients, introducers and suppliers as well as demonstrating our commitment to the wider community.
2 Scope
2.1 The policy applies to all employees and workers. Where appropriate, a copy will also be available to our suppliers, introducers and clients.
3 Responsibilities
3.1 The Operations Director and Marketing Manager are responsible for overseeing environmental issues and ensuring the company remains compliant with any relevant changes in legislation.
3.2 All managers are responsible for ensuring this policy’s successful implementation within their own departments.
All employees and workers are required to adhere to this policy.
4 Actions taken
4.1 The actions we will take to make this policy work include:
Disposing of any waste produced in an environmentally responsible manner wherever reasonably practicable.
Ensuring, wherever possible, that all products purchased are derived from natural resources and are from sustainable sources.
Setting and reviewing annual objectives and establishing, implementing and maintaining programmes to achieve these objectives.
Ensuring that all decisions regarding working practices and purchasing take relevant environmental considerations into account.
Where possible, reducing the use of vehicles and regularly monitoring the condition of our vehicles (and the makes/models leased or purchased) with a view to reducing harmful emissions.
Training and encouraging all employees to work in an environmentally responsible manner and ensuring our communications raise awareness and keep all employees and interested parties informed.
Endeavouring where possible to ensure that our introducers and suppliers with whom we have dealings are likewise environmentally minded in their approach.
Conducting audits of procedures and practices and responding to deficiencies through a planned programme of remedial action.
5 Minimum environmental standards
5.1 General
5.1.1 The points outlined below are the minimum environmental standards which we require and will endeavour to achieve. As this policy develops, we expect our standards to continually improve.
5.2 Waste disposal and recycling
We will investigate and utilise, wherever possible, environmentally sound disposal methods for all waste materials.
All bottles, jars, tins, unusable scrap paper, reports, newspapers, magazines, batteries toners etc will be recycled and such materials should be placed in the receptacles provided.
Old company mobile phones and other equipment, exhausted batteries, printer cartridges etc will be sent to the appropriate recycling centres.
When replacing items of equipment or furniture we will aim to recycle or resell the obsolete models.
Where possible, the use of plastic packaging materials will be minimised.
5.3 Consumables
To cut down on waste, we discourage the keeping of hard copy documents unless necessary.
Internal mail should be sent via email.
We will always aim to buy products containing/produced with recycled materials where these are suitable for the job.
5.4 Food and packaging
Employees are responsible for keeping their work area, neat, clean, tidy and safe. We discourage food and drink to be consumed at working areas in particular computer keyboards and any necessary paper files.
5.5 Energy efficiency
Within the parameters of health and safety, we will minimise the use of energy. Long-life low-energy light bulbs and other energy-saving devices will be used in all areas.
All employees are requested to turn off the lights and/or any fans when leaving their offices or workplace unattended, to turn off the lights and fans in the toilets and other rooms when not in use, and to ensure that taps are not left running.
Electrical equipment (including computers, photocopiers and printers) should not be left turned on and running when not in use unless there is a particular reason (ie left on following a request by the IT department in order to undertake essential maintenance outside of normal working hours).
5.6 Transport and deliveries
The use of electronic mail is encouraged to reduce the use of couriers and mail.
Vehicles should be driven, within the parameters of health and safety, with fuel efficiently in mind.
The use of video/telephone conferencing will be promoted to reduce unnecessary travel.
Where travel to meetings is necessary, we encourage the use of public transport or shared transport.
We also encourage staff to share cars, cycle to work or the use of public transport where possible. We offer the cycle to work scheme. Bicycles can be securely stored and locked to the side of the building in the provided bike shed.
5.7 Relationships with suppliers
5.7.1 We will establish environmentally sensitive purchasing policies and monitor the environmental awareness of our suppliers, ideally setting a standard with which they must comply.
5.8 Communication and training
5.8.1 This policy will be made readily available to all employees, clients, introducers and suppliers and we will ensure awareness of the environmental issues throughout all areas of the business through training and ongoing communications.
5.9 Further information
Any queries or comments about this policy should be addressed to the Operations Director or Marketing Manager.
6.0 Policy Owner
This policy is owned by the management of Performance Finance Ltd and maintained by the Operations Director and Marketing Manager.
Sustainability Officers
Operations Director
Stacey Wedge-Pywell
Marketing Manager
Stefanie Ennis
Stacey and Stefanie are responsible for implementing strategies that ensure operational and marketing projects adhere to the most economically and environmentally friendly methods possible.
7.0 Carbon accounting and certification process.
Performance Finance achieved Carbon Neutral certification in February 2023, when an independent audit found them to be compliant with the Net Zero Carbon standard set out by Net Zero Eyecare - the standard is available online here.
The successful audit followed a period of detailed carbon accounting, including all Scope 1, 2 and 3 Greenhouse GasEmissions directly and indirectly within the business’s control. Our calculated carbon footprint is then 100% offset throughthe purchase of carbon credits from the Gold Standard Marketplace, facilitated by the certification body Net Zero Eyecare.
We’re committed to our ongoing efforts to reduce our carbon footprint in all possible ways, and are investigating ways inwhich we can mobilise the financial sector in pursuit of a low carbon future.
Version 4 - November 2023