SUSTAINABILITY POLICY
OBJECTIVE
The earth’s environment is under severe stress from uncontrolled human activity, threatening the survival of our society and the performance of Cara Burns’s mission.
Cara Burns accepts that it must work to preserve the environmental sustainability of the planet, at all levels of its operations –in its own practice, as a participant in a community of practice, and as a participant in the Australian social discourse.
Cara Burns aspires to minimise its impact on our environment and maximise the effective use of resources. We strive to achieve this by increasing communication and awareness of our efforts in accordance with this policy and fostering responsible environmental behaviour amongst staff, volunteers, and users at all levels.
Cara Burns is committed not only to complying with applicable law in all its operations but to minimise risks and impacts through the development of robust and documented systems to implement, measure, monitor, and disseminate excellent environmental performance both within its operations and to the broader community.
PURPOSE
This environmental Sustainability Policy aims to integrate a philosophy of sustainable development into all the organisations activities and to establish and promote sound environmental practice in our operations.
POLICY
Cara Burns commits herself to minimise its impact on our environment through:
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Providing a safe and healthful workplace
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Having an environmentally sustainable aware culture, where responsibility is assigned and understood
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Being an environmentally responsible neighbour in our community
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Conserving natural resources by reusing and recycling
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Using, in our own operations, processes that do not adversely affect the environment
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Ensuring the responsible use of energy throughout the organisation
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Participating in efforts to improve environmental protection and understanding
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Taking steps to improve environmental performance continually
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Conducting rigorous audits, evaluations, and self-assessments of the implementation of this policy
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Working with suppliers who promote sound environmental practices; and
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Enhancing awareness among our employees, volunteers, and customers – educating and motivating them to act in an environmentally responsible manner
AUTHORISATION
1st June 2022
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RESPONSIBILITIES
It shall be the responsibility of the CEO to establish and maintain policies and procedures, and to bring these procedures into effect.
It shall be the responsibility of the CEO to ensure the implementation of these policies and procedures.
Procedures:
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Cara Burns will develop guidelines for staff, volunteers, and customers to adopt sound environmental work practices, and adequate training will be provided to ensure these practices are carried out.
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Cara Burns will act responsibly to correct incidents or conditions that endanger health, safety, or the environment. It will promptly report any such incidents to the relevant authorities, and inform affected parties as appropriate
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Cara Burns will use reasonable endeavours to reuse and recycle materials, purchase recycled materials, and use recyclable packaging and other materials
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Cara Burns will use all reasonable endeavours to minimise materials and energy use, prevent air, water, and other pollution, and dispose of waste safely and responsibly
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Cara Burns will use all reasonable endeavours to conserve energy by improving energy efficiency and giving preference to renewable over non-renewable energy sources when feasible
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Cara Burns will use reasonable endeavours to utilise its knowledge and experience to contribute to environmentally sustainable techniques, technology, knowledge and methods.
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Cara Burns will use all reasonable endeavours to contribute to the maintenance and increase of biodiversity through its management of its landholdings.
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Cara Burns will use all reasonable endeavours to meet or exceed all applicable government requirements and voluntary requirements, generally observed in its field, and will, in addition, adhere to the more stringent requirements of its own environmental policy
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To continually improve its environmental management system, Cara Burns will use reasonable endeavours to conduct audits and self-assessments of its compliance with this policy
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Cara Burns will maintain an open and honest dialogue with staff, volunteers, stakeholders, and the public about environmental, health and safety performance of its operations and services
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Cara Burns will use reasonable endeavours to ensure that every employee, volunteer, and contractor is informed of and expected to follow this policy and to report any environmental, health, or safety concern to management so that prompt action may be taken
AUTHORISATION
Cara Green
1st June 2022
Policies and procedures can be established or altered only by the CEO.
DISCLAIMER: While all care has been taken in the preparation of this material, no responsibility is accepted by the author of Our Community, its staff, volunteers or partners, for any errors, omissions or inaccuracies. The material provided in this resource has been prepared to provide general information only. It is not intended to be relied upon or be a substitute for legal or other professional advice. No responsibility can be accepted by the author or Our Community or its partners for any known, or unknown consequences that may result from reliance on any information provided in this publication.
