Environmental Policy
The FCO plays a key role in delivering the UK’s International Strategic Priorities on climate security (ISP 6) and sustainable development (ISP 7). It follows that the FCO should be environmentally responsible in its corporate activities. The British Embassy in Havana is committed to playing its part in "greening the FCO".
The Embassy recognises that its day-to-day operations can impact on the environment in a number of ways. The Embassy’s objective (outlined in its 2007-08 Business Plan) is to minimise its adverse impact on the environment through all means practicable. To that end, we are implementing an Environmental Management System (EMS) in line with the FCO’s EMS guidance and the British standard BS8555. Our ultimate goal is to achieve accreditation under BS8555.
The Embassy will measure and manage the impact that the compound and properties have on the environment in the following areas:
- Water use: reducing water consumption by implementing effective and efficient reduction methods consistent with best practice;
- Energy use: reducing energy consumption by implementing effective and efficient reduction methods consistent with best practice;
- Waste management: minimising the generation of waste and strengthening our recycling initiatives;
- Travel: developing and implementing more environmentally friendly travel plans; and
- Procurement: influencing and managing our suppliers and contractors to ensure that goods procured and services undertaken comply with our environmental policy.
Our EMS Implementation Plan provides a framework for setting and reviewing environmental targets. We will continuously monitor our progress and improve environmental performance based on these. We will also work towards compliance with applicable UK, EU and international environmental legislation.
The Embassy recognises the importance of training and education on environmental issues to all our staff; it is integral to our EMS that staff understand the impact they have on the environmental performance of the Embassy and the sustainability of the planet. The EMS Implementation Team, led by DHM, involves SMO, 2 Sec Pol, DMO, TWS and Ileana Carreño. But we cannot reduce our environmental impact unless everyone – from cleaners to HMA – understands the issues and does their bit.
The Embassy will communicate this environmental policy to all staff via IiP presentations, the IiP quarterly bulletin, staff induction packs and the staff notice board. The policy will also be available on the Embassy website, and we will publicise it to our external contacts and stakeholders.The Embassy will periodically review this policy to take account of changes in organisation, legislation, Government targets or other internal and external factors.
John Dew
HMA
June 2007
