OGC Sustainability Policy

This Sustainability Policy applies to all of OGC's activities, products and services. All staff in OGC will follow the principles of this policy and supporting guidance to assist OGC meet its sustainability objectives.

OGC will develop, implement and maintain an action plan in response to the White Paper Securing the future - delivering UK sustainable development strategy. It will cover a range of issues including procurement; travel; management of the OGC Workspace and Government Residual Estates; and OGC's Impact on Society.

OGC is committed to seeking continuous improvement in its performance on sustainability that is consistent with the need to provide value for money for the taxpayer by:

1. Ensuring all its customer-facing products and services are developed to facilitate the UK sustainable development strategy wherever appropriate;
2. Reducing the levels of both direct and indirect pollution associated with OGC activities, including adapting its domestic Travel and Procurement practices to ensure sustainability targets are met in OGC operations.
3. Establishing sustainable development as a clear feature of OGC decision-making;
4. Encouraging the spread of sustainable technologies and services in the public sector;
5. Setting and monitoring relevant, measurable sustainability objectives and targets, and report progress regularly;
6. Maintaining an Environmental Management System (EMS) across its estate, including the residual estate to:
   • 6.1. Monitor and review progress in reducing consumption of resources;
   • 6.2. Meet all relevant environmental legislation and statutory regulations, Sustainable Development on the Government Estate requirements; and official codes of practice;
   • 6.3. Specify that contractors do the same when working on OGC premises or projects;
   • 6.4. Maintain links to the cross-Government Property Benchmarking initiative;
7. Educating, training and motivating staff to work in an environmentally responsible manner and to play a full part in developing new ideas and initiatives;
8. Communicating openly and proactively with staff about environmental policies and best practice, and co-operating with others in the public and private sectors at home and abroad to develop and promote environmentally sound practices;
9. Encouraging manufacturers, suppliers and contractors, through appropriate specifications, to develop and supply environmentally preferable goods and services, in line with the Framework for Sustainable Development on the Government Estate.

OGC's Director of Customer Systems and Services will co-ordinate and promote OGC's Sustainability Action Plan to implement the above policies and report annually on progress to Ministers and senior management, publicising developments both internally and externally.

This policy is supported by the OGC Board and is consistent with the Government's commitment to sustainable development and the requirements of the Framework for Sustainable Development on the Government Estate.

John Oughton
Chief Executive
Issued: July 2005