THINK is a small organisation but we recognise that even small companies have an impact on the environment and that we need to play our part in protecting our planet and we are committed to doing what we can. We state at this point that we aren’t perfect – either in the way we do business or the way we measure our impact – but we promise to do our best to mitigate our impact and offset it where possible, recognising ‘we are at the start of a journey’ and learning with others across the sector and beyond. This policy outlines our approach.
Our carbon footprint
A carbon footprint is the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions caused directly and indirectly by an individual, organisation, event or product, and is expressed as a carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e). Organisational carbon footprint is calculated as tCO2e per FTE and can take everything from journeys taken by train, car or plane to internet usage. It can be quite complicated.
At THINK, we have made the decision to focus on travel – one of the biggest elements for us – but have also taken home energy usage into account as both of these are wholly within our control. We have not taken carbon emission beyond our direct control, for example, the amount of carbon dioxide produced in the paper or ink we use but we have considered these in our wider approach (see later).
In terms of travel, we will reduce the amount we do as a team wherever possible, particularly overseas travel. We will encourage all of our clients to work with us digitally, but we recognise that some things really are only possible or effective face to face. On that basis, where we can make it work sensibly and without affecting the quality of our work, we will use on-line platforms for meetings and wider project work. If we do need to travel, we will use lower carbon emitting forms of transport such as trains where we sensibly can. When we need to meet people, we will select venues that are accessible by public transport if and where we practically can.
We calculate our tCO2e from all work-related journeys we make and also calculate energy usage monthly. We encourage staff to reduce energy use where they can and look to use ‘green energy’ but it is a choice not a requirement.
Our wider approach to sustainability
THINK’s carbon footprint (along with efforts to either reduce it or offset it) form just one part of our environmental sustainability policy. We have looked at other ways we can mitigate or impact and have agreed the following:
- We will limit the volume of printing and use recycled paper at all times. We will recycle the paper we use wherever possible
- We will use recyclable ink cartridges – and recycle them!
- We will limit single use plastic when we buy things we use or send to others and procure goods and services that are environmentally responsible where we can.
- Minimise the environmental impact of events we hold
This policy is endorsed by all our team and it is all of our responsibility to live by it. We will review how we do and look to continually improve what we do and we encourage others to do the same.