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Environmental Policy Print E-mail

In carrying out our business functions, EssentialSkillz acknowledge that our activities impact upon the environment both through routine internal operations and the actions of our staff.

We recognise that we have a responsibility to promote and demonstrate environmental awareness, management and sustainability through the implementation of best practice. We aim to reduce our environmental impact by adopting pollution prevention practices and promoting sustainable business practices. We also aim to become the leading green business organisation of our type in Ireland.

To this end, we have implemented the following:  

  • A member of staff has been appointed as an Environmental Champion to promote good practice and observe our Environmental Policy and initiatives.
  • We aim to reduce the necessity for business travel as much as possible. All employees are aware that as a company, we aim to minimise our contribution to carbon intensive ways of transport (air, trains, cars). Instead, we encourage employees to use available environmentally friendly technologies (conference calls, videoconferences). To ensure complicity in this, each request for travel is approved individually. To further reduce individual travel , we aim to attend exhibition conferences where we can meet as many customers as possible in one visit, rather than conducting individual visits.
  • We encourage the use of public transport or car pools to reduce the impact cars have on our environment. To encourage employees to switch to public transport, we provide a 100% bus fare incentive. Employees who are willing to car pool with at least one other employee can avail of more flexible working hours arrangements.
  • We restrain from producing unnecessary waste from printing materials and will only decide to print if requested by our clients and is considered absolutely necessary. In this instance, we also encourage the use of double sided printing. Our preference is to use electronic documents and electronic communication instead of using standard post service.
  • We have switched from a carbon-intensive electricity supplier to a 100% carbon-free electricity provider who generate energy only from renewable sources.
  • We minimise the use of resources by applying the hierarchy of Reduce, Re-use and Recycle.
  • We do not use air conditioning in our offices. We prefer to use natural air circulation and window blinds.
  • The only form of heating energy available to use is oil central heating. To ensure minimum usage the system is controlled by a programmmable clock which limits the heating to 2 hours in the morning and one hour in the afternoon for 6 months of the year. The other 6 months it is turned off. When the heating is in use, thermostats are set at 20 degrees.
  • We encourage the conservation of  natural resources by encouraging employees to minimise waste and dispose of waste properly. Employees are requested to place all their paper, plastic, cartons and cans into a designated recycling bag and to place their food waste into a specially designated compost bin.
  • We ensure responsible use of energy by conserving and reducing energy wherever possible. This particularly refers to the use of electricity and water.

To achieve the highest standard we will continue to role out further decisions and improvements, especially those aimed towards raising employee awareness.

To this end we will:

  • Comply with local, national and European environmental regulations
  • Be an environmentally responsible company in the community where we operate
  • Train and educate our employees on environmental issues that face our planet today. Employees will have an understanding of good environmental practices and what measures they can implement to support them
  • Implement a purchasing policy which considers the environmental impacts of the products and services purchased by EssentialSkillz, including where possible and fit for purpose, the purchase of recycled and recyclable materials and those with minimum packaging
  • Correct any practice or condition not in compliance with this policy
  • Establish procedures for periodic review of environmental compliance with existing regulations   

                    
Tony Dervan                 
Managing Director                  
Date: 30th January 2007