At Doc2UK, we are committed to operating in an environmentally sensitive manner, we acknowledge our role in impacting the local, regional, and global environment. Our Carbon Reduction Plan is developed in alignment with various directives, regulations, and codes of practice, including the Climate Change Act 2008 (amended 2019) and the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
This plan aims to demonstrate our continuous improvements in environmental performance and pollution prevention.
We operate under a hybridised work from home/ in-office model. We book our office space through the Office-space booking company, Regus. Regus has an Environmental policy centred around sustainability. They use sustainable and innovative techniques and materials when it comes to building their offices, and their interior design. This includes utilising natural sunlight in their offices, as well as only using efficient LED bulbs. Regus’s provision of flexible workspace also enables a more sustainable way of working, we only book and occupy only the amount of office space needed at any given time, so we can scale up or down as required.
These measures have:
Reduced commuting time for all staff: achieving a smaller-office footprint: as we book office space suitable for the number of staff working in the office, this means space and energy is conserved. The kitchen facilities means that we have access to filling up our water bottles and heating lunch bought from home. We choose to use reusable food storage options, such as reusable food bags and lunch boxes. This greatly reduces the amount of plastic we purchase as an office.
1. Energy Efficiency
Doc2UK will audit and monitor energy usage inline with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Regus offices use energy-saving bulbs, and smart thermostats, meaning it is straight-forward for us to ensure we are not wasting energy.
2. Travel and Transport
Reducing our carbon footprint involves minimising business travel and commuting emissions. We will encourage remote meetings, flexible working hours, and using public transport. These initiatives align with our objective to achieve Net Zero Carbon by 2035, as per the Climate Change Act 2008 (amendment 2019).
3. Waste Management
Doc2UK will focus on reducing or eliminating waste, including electronic waste. Regus Offices has a comprehensive recycling programme and storage solutions to reduce paper usage. Furniture, IT equipment, and other office consumables will be recycled, donated, or responsibly disposed of as per the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2013.
4. Sustainable Procurement
Our procurement strategy includes sustainability and carbon reduction considerations. We will evaluate the environmental credentials of suppliers, especially for tier 1 purchases, and prioritise recycled products. This approach aligns with our commitment to prevention of pollution and environmentally sound practices.
5. Employee Engagement and Awareness
The Environmental Officer will be responsible for coordinating environmental policy updates and ensuring communication across the company. Employee training and awareness programs will be implemented to foster a culture of sustainability and compliance with environmental regulations.
6. Carbon Offsetting
In our journey to achieving Net Zero Carbon by 2035, Doc2UK will invest in carbon offsetting initiatives, including renewable electricity sourcing and on-site low/zero carbon energy generation, such as solar panels and air source heat pumps.
7. Monitoring and Reporting
Continuous monitoring and annual assessments of our energy consumption will be conducted. We will establish robust carbon accounting platforms, providing monthly carbon impact information and setting carbon intensity metrics.
8. Compliance and Standards
Doc2UK will remain compliant with relevant environmental legislation, including the Environmental Protection (Duty of Care) Regulations 1991, and regularly update our procedures to align with legislative changes.
9. Sustainable IT Practices
Our IT practices will focus on reducing energy usage, using LED lighting systems, and implementing energy-saving modes on all devices. We use cloud computing solutions to further reduce our carbon footprint. We only print documents as a matter of necessity, choosing to preserve ink and paper.
10. Community and Client Engagement
Doc2UK will maintain open communication with employees, customers, suppliers, and other stakeholders about our environmental efforts. Our Environmental Policy, inclusive of these strategies, will be accessible to all stakeholders.
Net Zero Commitment
At Doc2UK, we are firmly committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2030, driven by our comprehensive Carbon Reduction Plan. This plan aligns with key environmental directives and emphasises continuous improvements in our environmental performance.
Operating under a hybrid work model with Regus, we benefit from their sustainable office solutions, reducing our office footprint and commuting time. We prioritise energy efficiency, waste management, sustainable procurement, and employee engagement to foster a culture of sustainability. Our future strategy includes minimising travel emissions, investing in renewable energy, and adopting sustainable IT practices.
Through continuous monitoring, compliance with environmental standards, and active community engagement, we aim to significantly reduce our environmental impact and achieve our net zero target by 2030.
Conclusion
Doc2UK is dedicated to implementing this Carbon Reduction Plan, ensuring a significant reduction in our environmental impact and progressing towards our goal of Net Zero by 2035. This plan, along with our Environmental Policy, will be reviewed annually and updated as necessary to reflect our ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship.