Environmental & Sustainability Policy

Introduction and Scope

At Baker Stuart, we are committed to protecting the environment and promoting sustainable practices in everything we do. We recognise that our work has an environmental footprint and we take responsibility by aiming to minimise waste, use resources efficiently and lead by example.

Our goal is to operate in line with all relevant environmental legislation, and where practicable, exceed minimum standards. We actively seek ways to improve our environmental performance, particularly in areas such as waste reduction, energy use and travel impact.

This policy applies to all staff and operations. Every employee has a role in supporting our environmental goals and it is a condition of employment that all staff comply with this policy. We expect the same commitment from contractors working on our behalf and environmental standards are a contractual requirement.

If an environmental incident occurs, it must be reported immediately to the CEO, Managing Director or Operations Manager. The matter will be investigated and prompt action will be taken to address the issue and prevent future occurrences.

Objectives

We focus on actions that reduce our environmental impact. Our key objectives are to:

Minimise general and hazardous waste by ensuring accurate project scoping and efficient use of materials and travel.
Recycle paper, cardboard, plastics and metal waste wherever possible.
Limit paper use by promoting electronic communication and documentation.
Reduce energy use through good housekeeping and staff awareness.
Lower vehicle emissions by planning efficient travel and encouraging public transport.
Promote sustainable practices with suppliers, especially when acting on behalf of a client.

Guiding Principles and Commitments

To bring our objectives to life, we have set out the following principles:

Meet and exceed legal requirements
We will comply with relevant legislation and codes of practice, including The Site Waste Management Plans Regulations 2008 and any applicable local authority rules. Where possible, we will go beyond minimum requirements.
Informed decision-making
Environmental and sustainability considerations are integrated into how we plan, deliver and manage our business operations – from how we work in the office to how we travel.
Resource efficiency
We reduce our use of materials and energy wherever possible, including:
– Using digital meetings to reduce travel.
– Printing only when necessary and using double-sided printing by default.
– Recycling office materials including paper, IT supplies and equipment.
– Switching off equipment and lights when not in use and managing heating effectively.
Sustainable supply chains
We aim to:
– Work with suppliers who support environmental best practice.
– Source materials locally where feasible.
– Encourage reuse and recycling of furniture and equipment on our projects.
Waste responsibility
All waste must be handled responsibly:
– Only registered waste carriers may be used.
– Waste from our offices and project sites should be reused or recycled where possible.
Response and learning
In the event of any environmental issue:
– We act quickly to manage the situation.
– Lessons learned are shared to prevent recurrence.
People and knowledge
We ensure:
– All employees understand this policy and their role in supporting it.
– Relevant training is provided.
– We monitor and review our environmental performance regularly.
Influence and engagement
We share best practice and engage with:
– Contractors, clients, suppliers and regulators.
Continuous improvement
This policy is not static. We are committed to:
– Ongoing improvement.
– Transparent reporting.
– Supporting new ideas that help reduce our environmental impact.

Roles and Responsibility

Managing Director: Overall responsibility for the implementation and success of this policy. Also responsible for appointing a suitable officer to investigate any breaches.
Managers: Accountable for communicating, enforcing and reporting on this policy in their teams and ensuring prompt action where needed.
Employees: Responsible for following this policy and reporting any concerns or breaches to their line manager or the Managing Director.

Monitoring and Review

To measure progress, we will:

Review this policy and related procedures annually.
Monitor our environmental objectives and track any associated KPIs.
Discuss progress in monthly management meetings.

This policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains relevant and effective. It has been approved and endorsed by our management team, who are committed to its implementation.

This Policy Statement has been approved & authorised by:

Name: Wayne Spiller

Position: Managing Director

Date: 10th July 2025

Signature: