1. About this policy
2.1 At Advancing Analytics we are a purpose driven organisation and environmental sustainability is at the core of our company’s values. Since the start of Advancing Analytics in 2018, we have remained committed to ensuring that our business is sustainable. We have achieved CarbonNeutral® company certification meaning we have calculated and offset all emissions associated with the operations of our business. Our aim is to remain business carbon natural.
2.2 We are always striving to stay current on new ways to improve the environmental soundness of our services even exceeding expectations where possible. This policy sets out our objectives and principles in relation to managing the environmental impacts and aspects of our operations.
2.3 This policy applies to all employees, officers, consultants, contractors, volunteers, interns, casual workers and agency workers.
2.4 This policy does not form part of any contract of employment or other contract to provide services, and we may amend it at any time.
2. Personnel responsible for implementing the policy
3.1 The CEO has overall responsibility for the effective operation of this policy but has delegated day-to-day responsibility for operating the policy and ensuring its maintenance and review to the People Team.
3. Our aims
3.1 To consider environmental concerns and impacts in all key decision-making activities.
3.2 To minimise waste and reduce, reuse, and recycle as much as possible.
3.3 To continually improve and mitigate our impact on the environment.
3.4 To encourage environmental awareness among our employees.
3.5 To regularly review our commitment to protect the environment and support sustainability.
3.6 To allocate suitable and sufficient resources which enable us to achieve our environmental aims and objectives.
3.7 To promote environmental awareness amongst our clients by the implementation and promotion of our environmental policies.
4. What are we doing to reduce our impact on the environment?
4.1 Travel
(a) Whilst we are happy to travel to meet our clients, modern digital collaboration is reaching new levels of sophistication. Where appropriate we promote a “virtual-first” working relationship with our clients.
(b) We evaluate the necessity of any business trip planned and consider alternatives to travel where possible through adequate planning and scheduling of meeting and events.
(c) Where it is necessary to travel for business purposes, we ask our employees to consider the cost and carbon footprint of their journey and chosen mode of transport. For example, we ask that employees do not take a taxi where public transport is available, unless it is cost effective due to a significant saving of journey time or the number of staff travelling together or there are other reasons why a taxi may be more appropriate Sometimes we will need to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate the requirements of employees with disabilities.
(d) When a taxi is the only viable option, our employees are encouraged to choose electric or hybrid over petrol and diesel vehicles where reasonably possible.
(e) We encourage car sharing or other group travel for multiple employees travelling to the same location.
4.2 Waste products
(a) Wherever possible, our work is performed digitally, with paper contracts and printing as an absolute last resort should it be demanded by a client. We ensure all employees are sufficiently equipped to make this a feasible, sustainable goal.
(b) As we rely on an assortment of computer hardware and peripherals, we also seek to ensure that all waste electrical and electronic equipment is disposed of responsibly and properly.
4.3 Use of high-energy consuming processes
(a) We will seek to reduce electricity consumption where possible.
(b) We strongly encourage everyone to switch off lighting and equipment when not in use and seek to limit the use of standby power to critical equipment.
(c) We may seek to set benchmark objectives to enable us to assess our progress in reducing waste and energy consumption.
5. What are we doing to offset unavoidable emissions
5.1 To compensate for unavoidable emissions, we purchase carbon credits to support emission reduction projects.
5.2 Research demonstrates that preventing deforestation offers the most cost-effective solution to mitigating climate change (https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2019.0126). With this is mind, we made the decision to support projects which protect existing rainforests namely the Rimba Raya Biodiversity Reserve REDD+, Indonesia.
(a) In addition to delivering emissions reductions to help take urgent action to combat climate change, the projects deliver on several of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. For example, communities are offered training in sustainable agriculture thereby improving food security, reducing hunger and providing a source of income.
(b) Both projects are based in significant areas of biodiversity, several species have been identified which are either vulnerable or endangered and work is being carried out to preserve these species. Not only this, these projects actively engage local communities to improve health care, education, sanitation and water, infrastructure and more – all with the support of carbon finance.
6. What you can do to help us achieve our aims
6.1 All staff and employees share responsibility in looking for ways to reduce our carbon footprint and impact on the environment.
6.2 We encourage you wherever possible to use and offer our services in an environmentally- sensitive way.
6.3 We will hold training from time to time to ensure you are aware of and are following best practice for energy conservation including:
(a) purchasing from sustainable/renewable energy sources; and
(b) following waste management best practices
7. Suppliers
We work closely with and encourage our suppliers, clients and other business partners to endeavour to achieve and uphold the highest possible environmental standards.