Social & Environmental Impact Policy
Green Works is a business consultancy specialising in helping businesses become a sustainable and responsible force for good in society. We aim to lead by example, working to the highest environmental and social standards and making the changes we want to see ourselves.
We always conduct business with integrity, responsibility and respect for the interests of all affected by our activities. We believe that our activities should generate and promote economic benefits and create opportunities for a better quality of life. To always respect the environment and positively influence all areas in which we operate.
Transparency & Honesty
The very reason for setting up Green Works was to be a force for good and a driver for change. Whilst we do what we can, we do not pretend to be perfect. We work within a flawed system in need of fundamental change and there are many challenges. It is important to us to talk about the challenges and choices we face openly and honestly and report on our progress transparently, in the hope of inspiring others to start making changes even if ‘perfection’ seems out of reach.
Energy & Water
Green Works does not have a physical office. We work from home and have a Truro address for mail and meeting rooms as needed.
We travel as little as possible, making best use of virtual team, client and supplier meetings. When we do travel, we go by electric car or train where possible, or offset the carbon from any flights.
We source 100% renewable electricity, supplied by Octopus energy. We still rely on natural gas for our heating and alternatives such as heat pumps are prohibitively expensive for us at present. Whilst we continue to search for suitable alternatives, we use as little gas as possible and offset the remainder.
We monitor the amount of water used and work to reduce usage year on year.
Waste & Purchasing
As a business, we minimise the amount of resources we use. We send zero waste to landfill and reuse or recycle plastic, cans, glass, paper, cardboard, batteries and ink cartridges. For office materials and any other products, we buy from local, ethical and environmentally friendly suppliers, for example recycled stationary and eco cleaning products.
Measurement & Targets
We recognise that activities undertaken or managed on behalf of our clients have an impact on the environment.
Our carbon footprint for the year 2021 was 0.54t CO2e, with travel the largest part of our impact. We have made a commitment to net zero by 2030 at the latest with the SME Climate Hub, part of the Race To Zero campaign. We have offset our 2021 carbon impact with ClimateCare.
We continue to track our electricity, gas and water usage, waste, any purchases and travel.
We ensure continuous improvement by learning from best practice examples of environmental management, regularly monitoring our usage and continually upgrading our practices and equipment.
Clients
Whilst we work with businesses of any size, we are particularly passionate about working with SMEs in Cornwall. We aim to make sustainability accessible for all and are proud to offer reduced rates for local businesses. Through our relationship with Unlocking Potential, we are also able to provide fully EU/HM government funded sustainability coaching to eligible businesses.
Social - Charity and Advocacy
The flexibility of our business model allows us to support, and campaign for, causes that are close to our core values.
Jennie volunteers as chair for St Ives May Marine Group, affiliated to Cornwall Wildlife Trust, running local beach cleans, marine life surveys and community outreach. She also volunteers with Plastic Free Hayle and Hayle Foodbank.
Paul plays an active part with charity Protect Our Winters (POW), running their Carbon Literacy training and supporting corporate pledge partners. He also volunteers with the school careers programme.
Green Works is a business consultancy specialising in helping businesses become a sustainable and responsible force for good in society. We aim to lead by example, working to the highest environmental and social standards and making the changes we want to see ourselves.
We always conduct business with integrity, responsibility and respect for the interests of all affected by our activities. We believe that our activities should generate and promote economic benefits and create opportunities for a better quality of life. To always respect the environment and positively influence all areas in which we operate.
Transparency & Honesty
The very reason for setting up Green Works was to be a force for good and a driver for change. Whilst we do what we can, we do not pretend to be perfect. We work within a flawed system in need of fundamental change and there are many challenges. It is important to us to talk about the challenges and choices we face openly and honestly and report on our progress transparently, in the hope of inspiring others to start making changes even if ‘perfection’ seems out of reach.
Energy & Water
Green Works does not have a physical office. We work from home and have a Truro address for mail and meeting rooms as needed.
We travel as little as possible, making best use of virtual team, client and supplier meetings. When we do travel, we go by electric car or train where possible, or offset the carbon from any flights.
We source 100% renewable electricity, supplied by Octopus energy. We still rely on natural gas for our heating and alternatives such as heat pumps are prohibitively expensive for us at present. Whilst we continue to search for suitable alternatives, we use as little gas as possible and offset the remainder.
We monitor the amount of water used and work to reduce usage year on year.
Waste & Purchasing
As a business, we minimise the amount of resources we use. We send zero waste to landfill and reuse or recycle plastic, cans, glass, paper, cardboard, batteries and ink cartridges. For office materials and any other products, we buy from local, ethical and environmentally friendly suppliers, for example recycled stationary and eco cleaning products.
Measurement & Targets
We recognise that activities undertaken or managed on behalf of our clients have an impact on the environment.
Our carbon footprint for the year 2021 was 0.54t CO2e, with travel the largest part of our impact. We have made a commitment to net zero by 2030 at the latest with the SME Climate Hub, part of the Race To Zero campaign. We have offset our 2021 carbon impact with ClimateCare.
We continue to track our electricity, gas and water usage, waste, any purchases and travel.
We ensure continuous improvement by learning from best practice examples of environmental management, regularly monitoring our usage and continually upgrading our practices and equipment.
Clients
Whilst we work with businesses of any size, we are particularly passionate about working with SMEs in Cornwall. We aim to make sustainability accessible for all and are proud to offer reduced rates for local businesses. Through our relationship with Unlocking Potential, we are also able to provide fully EU/HM government funded sustainability coaching to eligible businesses.
Social - Charity and Advocacy
The flexibility of our business model allows us to support, and campaign for, causes that are close to our core values.
Jennie volunteers as chair for St Ives May Marine Group, affiliated to Cornwall Wildlife Trust, running local beach cleans, marine life surveys and community outreach. She also volunteers with Plastic Free Hayle and Hayle Foodbank.
Paul plays an active part with charity Protect Our Winters (POW), running their Carbon Literacy training and supporting corporate pledge partners. He also volunteers with the school careers programme.
