Environment and Climate Emergency Policy Statement

e-blueprint limited recognises the urgent need to address the climate emergency and environmental impact. Through this policy, we commit to making tangible contributions toward a more sustainable and resilient future, setting an example within our industry and the communities we serve. By embedding sustainability into our core practices, we aim to lead by example and inspire others to act for the environment.
This policy demonstrates our commitment to minimising environmental impact and supporting the ecological well-being of the areas in which we operate. With our employees, partners, and stakeholders, e-blueprint Limited will continue pursuing a sustainable, low-carbon future.

e-blueprint Limited is committed to addressing the environmental and climate emergency by implementing sustainable practices aligned with global and local goals. We aim to reduce our environmental footprint, contribute positively to ecological preservation, and promote sustainable practices throughout our operations. We recognise the importance of integrating sustainability into our business practices, decision-making processes, and company culture.
We have a low carbon footprint inherent in the work we do. Although we have active policies and are actively creating our environmental sustainability impact policy, we currently prioritise energy efficiency, waste reduction, and sustainable procurement within our office, including guidelines on responsible use of resources, minimising single-use plastics, and recycling.

As a digital agency, we optimise our digital practices to reduce data storage needs and minimise the energy consumption of our digital assets. Our team develops low-impact websites using efficient coding techniques and eco-friendly hosting services that are sustainable, green hosting, carbon neutral, and optimised media to reduce the energy consumed by user interactions.

Our remote work policy helps minimise commuting emissions by enabling our employees to work from home when possible. We promote virtual meetings over in-person ones, reducing travel-related emissions. We follow a sustainable travel policy encouraging public transportation, carpooling, and low-carbon alternatives for necessary travel. We have an active employee member of Greenpeace who leads on implementing initiatives. We conduct annual reviews to assess our environmental performance, adjust goals, and set new initiatives.

1. Purpose and Scope
This policy outlines e-blueprint Limited’s commitment to environmental sustainability, climate action, and biodiversity enhancement. It aims to establish a framework for reducing carbon emissions, minimising waste, and promoting resource efficiency in all operations.

2. Key Objectives
e-blueprint Limited is dedicated to the following critical environmental objectives:
• Achieving Net-Zero Carbon Emissions by 2030: Committed to reaching carbon neutrality across all operations, including supply chains and sub-contractors.
• Supporting Biodiversity: Promoting actions to protect and enhance local biodiversity.
• Reducing Resource Consumption: Focusing on sustainable resource use and minimising waste through circular economy principles.

3. Environmental Impact System
e-blueprint Limited will implement an Environmental Impact System (EIS) designed to monitor, manage, and improve our environmental performance to achieve our objectives. The critical components of this system include:

3.1. Carbon Management and Reduction
• Carbon Footprint Audit: Conduct regular audits to measure greenhouse gas emissions across all operational activities.
• Setting Carbon Budgets: Develop a carbon budget with defined emission reduction targets.
• Transition to Renewable Energy: Wherever feasible, use 100% renewable energy for all office facilities and operational activities.
• Minimising Travel: Encourage remote work and virtual meetings to reduce the need for travel. For necessary travel, promote the use of public transport, active travel (walking, cycling), and ultra-low-carbon vehicles.

3.2. Sustainable Resource Use
• Energy and Water Efficiency: Audit our facilities to identify opportunities to reduce energy and water consumption and implement best practices for resource efficiency.
• Digital Transformation: Shift towards a paperless environment by digitising documentation and internal processes.
• Sustainable Procurement: Select suppliers and partners who adhere to sustainable practices, prioritising those with environmental management certifications.

3.3. Waste Minimisation and Circular Economy
• Waste Reduction Strategy: Implement policies to minimise waste, focusing on reducing single-use items, promoting recycling, and encouraging the reuse of materials.
• Circular Economy Engagement: Embrace circular economy principles by reducing the use of finite resources and promoting the reuse and recycling of materials.
• Product Lifecycle Management: Where applicable, design products and services to minimise environmental impact over their lifecycle, considering disposal and recycling at the end of use.

3.4. Biodiversity and Ecosystem Support
• Tree Planting Initiatives: Participate in tree-planting initiatives to help offset carbon emissions and enhance local biodiversity.
• Green Spaces and Pollinator Support: Support pollinator-friendly practices by rewilding certain areas where feasible.
• Biodiversity Net Gain: Partner with local environmental organisations to promote biodiversity and achieve measurable improvements in local habitats.

4. Compliance and Monitoring
e-blueprint Limited will ensure ongoing compliance with relevant environmental regulations and commit to continuous improvement. Our approach includes:
• Quarterly Environmental Reviews: Conduct quarterly reviews of environmental performance metrics to track progress and identify areas for improvement.
• Environmental Impact Reporting: Maintain an up-to-date and transparent record of ecological impacts, actions taken, and progress made.
• Employee Training and Awareness: Conduct regular training sessions to educate employees about sustainable practices and the importance of climate action.

5. Sub-Processor and Supply Chain Compliance
When engaging sub-processors or suppliers, e-blueprint Limited will ensure compliance with our environmental policy and standards through the following measures:

5.1. Due Diligence and Selection
• Sustainability Assessment: Evaluate sub-processors and suppliers’ environmental policies, carbon reduction initiatives, and commitment to sustainable practices.
• Compliance with Environmental Standards: Prioritise partners who adhere to recognised environmental standards such as ISO 14001 or other relevant certifications.

5.2. Contractual Requirements
• Environmental Clauses in Contracts: Include clauses requiring sub-processors and suppliers to meet specific environmental standards.
• Monitoring and Reporting: Request regular updates and reports from sub-processors on their environmental performance, with the right to audit as necessary.

5.3. Incident Response and Accountability
• Non-Compliance Procedures: Establish clear procedures for managing and resolving instances of non-compliance by sub-processors, including corrective action plans and potential termination of contracts if necessary.
• Incident Reporting: Immediate notification is required for environmental incidents or compliance breaches to ensure prompt action and mitigation.

6. Employee Engagement and Cultural Change
Creating a culture of environmental awareness within E-blueprint Limited is critical to the success of this policy. We will engage employees through:
• Environmental Training and Workshops: Regular training sessions ensure employees understand and implement sustainable practices.
• Green Team Initiatives: Form an internal ‘Green Team’ to champion sustainability efforts and gather feedback on improving our environmental practices.
• Employee Recognition: Recognise and reward employees who contribute to our environmental goals.

7. Communication and Transparency
Transparency is critical to our environmental policy. E-blueprint Limited commits to:
• Annual Environmental Report: Publish an annual report detailing our environmental impact, achievements, and future targets.
• Regular Updates: Provide regular updates on environmental initiatives to employees, clients, and partners.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with local councils, environmental organisations, and other stakeholders to contribute to the broader community’s sustainability goals.

8. Continuous Improvement
E-blueprint Limited is committed to the continuous improvement of our environmental management practices. This will be achieved through:
• Annual Policy Review: This policy should be reviewed and updated annually to reflect changes in legislation, industry standards, and company objectives.
• Feedback Mechanism: We will collect feedback from employees, clients, and stakeholders to refine and enhance our environmental policy and practices.
• Investment in Innovation: Explore innovative solutions to reduce our environmental impact and contribute to sustainable development.

9. Governance and Accountability
e-blueprint oversees the implementation of this policy and is accountable for ensuring that environmental considerations are integrated into business decisions and day-to-day operations. The Directors will review and endorse this policy annually, setting the strategic direction for achieving our environmental goals.