Help notes: SUSTAINABILITY HIGHER LEVEL QUESTIONS
The ‘higher level’ questions are more aspirational. You may wish to work towards the minimum level topics first.
The higher level help notes are less detailed than for minimum level questions but will help point to you towards more information and examples related to those topics.
Does your organisation have a net zero goal and plan for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and/or a 1.5 degree Science Based Target?
A net zero goal is an intention to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions – a balance between greenhouse gases emitted, and carbon captured from the atmosphere. Once you have started measuring your emissions, setting a goal can be a next step to addressing climate change; a goal can also show customers and employees an organisation’s commitment and prepare for future regulations.
A plan to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions typically includes an assessment of where and how organisations are emitting greenhouse gases, and actions necessary to tackle this (for example via energy efficiency and using renewable energy sources).
The Science Based Target Initiative (SBTi) is an internationally recognised charity which sets standards for how to develop a net zero plan in a way which is compatible with limiting climate warming by 1.5 degrees, as understood by the latest climate science. This requires net zero greenhouse gas emissions to be achieved before 2050.
More information: SBTi
Can you provide greenhouse gas emission data specific to your organisation’s products and/or services, and benchmarks against your industry?
This question is about taking more detailed steps with understanding your greenhouse gas emissions. Once you understand your organisation’s total emissions it is possible to attribute these to an individual product or service, and compare your emissions to an industry benchmark/ average. This enables your clients to clearly report associated greenhouse gas emissions, compare the environmental impact of different offerings, and highlight where there may be opportunities to reduce carbon intensity.
Examples of guidance for producing product-based greenhouse gas emissions data include the Greenhouse Gas Protocol’s Product Standard, and ISO14040:2006 for life cycle assessments.
Does your organisation look at its impact on biodiversity and does it have plans to lessen any negative impacts?
This is about how your organisation’s activities affect biodiversity i.e. the ecosystems, species and habitats in nature. For example, activities like clearing natural habitats, waste contamination, or producing dust, noise or water pollution could negatively affect local wildlife, plants, soil, and water systems. Other activities minimising or reversing such effects can be positive (e.g. creating or not destroying habitats, landscaping with local plants).
Biodiversity can be understood and measured in many ways, there is no perfect approach. Finding the right way to understand the importance of biodiversity for your organisation will enable decisions to be made in the context of their biodiversity impacts, and plans to be made which help minimise those impacts – and ideally, restore nature.
There are lots of systems and tools available to help organisations think about nature in their operations. The Science Based Targets for Nature (SBTN) and Task Force for Nature Based Financial Disclosures both have extensive guidance on this topic. The UK Business & Biodiversity Forum offers practical advice for businesses.
Does your organisation have processes to reduce water use and ensure no water pollution incidents?
This question is about considering how to reduce water use and prevent water pollution, in order to conserve water resources, protect nature, save money, and comply with regulations. For example, depending on the nature of the organisation, a plan might include:
- monitoring water usage
- fixing leaks or drips
- using efficient equipment (e.g. dishwashers, pressure washers)
- harvesting rainwater/ recycling water
- considering what substances are disposed of into the sink or toilet
- reducing run off of harmful substances, and nutrient pollution
- raising awareness in employees
There are many resources available with more information, for example:
- Federation of Small Businesses: How to Save Water in the Workplace
- SES Water: Saving Water in the Workplace
- Action Sustainability: reducing water use on construction sites
- Home Builders Federation: the water efficiency of new build homes
[The Duchy of Cornwall does not endorse the content of external sites.]
Does your organisation have an environmental management system, certified under ISO14001 or a similar standard?
An Environmental Management System is a structured framework that helps to manage an organisation’s environmental responsibilities (for example those included in this survey), and to build environmental considerations into what you do. This would usually involve:
- Identifying environmental impacts
- Setting environmental objectives
- Identifying and implementing actions
- Tracking progress
This can help simplify the management of environmental impact, and compliance with current and future regulations. It can also improve efficiency, reputation and competitive advantage.
ISO 14001 is an internationally recognised standard for environmental management. An ISO 14001 assessor can assess your system, and/or you can work with a partner to help set a system up, sometimes including off the shelf software. There are alternatives to the ISO standard, for example for smaller businesses.
There are many resources available with more information, for example:
- Effivity: implementing-iso-14001-in-a-small-business-a-step-by-step-guide
- British Business Bank: iso 14001 guide for smaller businesses
- Green Small Business: environmental management systems
[The Duchy of Cornwall does not endorse the content of external sites.]