By answering ‘yes’ to this question you are saying that your organisation has an environmental policy in some form, and you could show how you use it in practice.  

An environmental policy typically states: 

• A commitment to the environment 
• What areas your organisation will focus on (e.g. reducing waste; cutting energy use; reducing water use; choosing sustainable suppliers; complying with environmental regulations) 
• Specific actions you will take (e.g. we will recycle paper and plastics in our office; we will reduce vehicle emissions by planning more efficient routes) 
• A commitment to review progress and the policy regularly 

For a small organisation, a policy could be a simple short document about small achievable changes relevant to what you can control (see below).

For larger organisations an environmental policy is likely to be more comprehensive and formal, as operations scale up and become more complex (see below).

This question is for all suppliers. Organisations of any size can consider their environmental impact.  

Producing an environmental policy is not a regulatory/ legal requirement in the UK, though it can show how your organisation plans to comply with environmental legislation. 

Actions to include in an environmental policy should be relevant to you, part of day to day activities, and realistic.  

Below are a few examples but there are many others. Some may be specific to the work you do. 

Energy Use/ Net Zero	Switch to electric vehicles or alternative fuels  Upgrade energy efficiency of appliances or buildings  Encourage or incentivise use of public transport, cycling or walking for staff  Order items locally when possible rather than from across the globe  Plan vehicle routes more efficiently  Find opportunities for use of renewable energy (e.g. energy supplier)
Waste management	Switch to electronic communications instead of paper (e.g. invoicing or quotes)  Minimise packaging in dispatching items to customers  Invest in equipment built to last  Encourage use of reusable cups and crockery in workplace  Recycle paper, cardboard and plastics in workplace
Water management	Fit low flow taps  Fix leaks  Switch to using products which are healthier for waterways
All areas	Choose suppliers who have a commitment to the environment  Share the policy and relevant information with all staff so that everyone is working to a common goal

Example policy for a small organisation (can be amended to fit your organisation)

[Organisation] Environmental Policy 

At [Organisation], we are committed to reducing our environmental impact and continually improving our sustainability practices. 

Our Commitments: 

• Reducing waste where possible. 
• Using resources like energy and water efficiently. 
• Working with suppliers who show a commitment to the environment. 
• Complying with relevant environmental legislation and regulations. 

Actions we will take to fulfil our commitments : 

• Encourage digital communication to reduce paper usage. 
• Plan our deliveries and travel to reduce fuel consumption. 
• Train employees on environmental best practices. 
• Review this policy annually and assess our performance. 

This policy is effective from [Date] and will be reviewed on [Date]. 

[The Duchy of Cornwall does not endorse any particular wording]

For larger organisations an environmental policy is likely to be more comprehensive and formal, in line with the broader scale and complexity of operations. It is likely to show how the organisation aligns with environmental standards and regulations, and who is accountable for planned changes. 

The principles of a policy are similar to those for a small organisation, and the best policies remain short and simple, but it is more likely to include the following: 

• What the scope of the policy is (locations, divisions, stakeholders) 
• Specific measurable goals (e.g. reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by x date; achieving zero waste to landfill by x date) 
• Specific commitments (e.g. compliance with specific regulatory standards or requirements; transparency in environmental reporting) 
• Implementation: processes, policies, responsibilities, training and awareness. 
• Monitoring and reporting: e.g. KPIs; audits and assessments; publishing annual reports
• Policy review: commitment to reviewing and updating the policy regularly 

See links below for more information and examples.

UK Business Climate Hub – find advice on energy saving and net zero for SMEs 

FSB | Sustainability and net zero (actions for small businesses around Net Zero)   

FSB | How to save water in the workplace 

How To Prepare an Environmental Policy  (includes links to paid content) 

An Easy Guide to Writing an Environmental or Sustainability Policy | Sustainable Business Partnership (for small/ medium sized organisations) 

Environmental checklist for small businesses – Small Business UK 

Green Economy | How to write an environmental policy (includes links to example policies) 

[The Duchy of Cornwall does not endorse the content of external sites.]