In 2023 we signed up to become part of the Going Green Together, a training cohort in environmental sustainability. The climate crisis is impacting on all, particularly those who are poor and most vulnerable. Climate change affects us all but through climate action, we can work towards a healthier future. That is why we are working towards Investor in the Environment accreditation and assessing ourselves against the 17 Sustainable Development goals.
We recognise that our activities have an impact on the environment, and we are committed to minimising this impact while promoting sustainable practices. We are committed to promoting sustainability and environmental responsibility in our organisation’s operations, programs, and initiatives.
How will we do this?
Recycle and reuse workshops and shops
We aim to reduce waste by establishing and operating a recycle and reuse workshop that salvages and refurbishes materials, furniture, and other items. We promote the reuse of materials through workshops, education, and outreach activities in the community.
We encourage the donation of unwanted items to our workshop and shops to minimise waste generation and promote resource conservation.
Energy Conservation
We strive to reduce energy consumption in community homes and social enterprises by implementing energy-efficient measures and utilising renewable energy sources whenever possible. We promote energy-saving practices such as turning off lights and equipment when not in use and optimising heating and cooling systems. We aim to educate our beneficiaries and community members about energy conservation practices.
Waste management
We prioritise waste reduction, recycling, and responsible waste management practices in our operations and facilities. We encourage staff, volunteers, and beneficiaries to reduce, reuse, and recycle materials and products whenever possible. We collaborate with local waste management authorities to ensure proper disposal of waste and promote recycling initiatives in our communities.
Communication and Education
We will strive to communicate our environmental policy and sustainability initiatives to our staff, volunteers, beneficiaries, and the public. We will provide environmental education and training opportunities to empower our team to make environmentally conscious choices. We share success stories, best practices, and lessons learned to inspire others to adopt sustainable practices.
Key people
Jess is our lead Trustee for Environment and Sustainability. A sustainability professional in her career, she is very passionate about supporting organisations to accelerate their transition to net zero, and to find greener ways of achieving organisational goals, leading a partnership to deliver this in the North East region.
In an organisation such as ENE, this can deliver multiple benefits, such as reducing energy consumption and bills, and developing our companions’ skills in upcycling furniture resulting in waste reduction and the implementation of circular economy initiatives. Our policy and work in this space ensures that companions take responsibility for their own actions with a full understanding of how they, and ENE, can become greener.
Katrina Appleyard works with Emmaus North East to educate and work with the team around what sustainability means for them and the work they do. Workshops explored the overall understanding of sustainability, planetary boundaries, the need for urgency to act, especially in the decade to 2030, the link to commercial opportunities and competitive advantage and BCorp. Key links to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals were prioritised and an action plan developed. There is an ongoing education and awareness requirement as staff change and we are maintaining the commitment to educate and develop our staff in the knowledge and literacy around Sustainability and what it means for Emmaus North East.
Check out our social impact report and how it aligns with the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development goals here.