Last reviewed: 03/02/2021

Mission statement

Heathery Heights recognises that it has a responsibility to the environment beyond legal and regulatory requirements. We are committed to reducing our environmental impact and continually improving our environmental performance as an integral part of our business strategy and operating methods, with regular review points. We will encourage customers, suppliers, and other stakeholders to do the same.

Responsibility

Heathery Heights is responsible for ensuring that the environmental policy is implemented. However, all contracted freelance staff who work for Heathery Heights have a responsibility in their area to ensure that the aims and objectives of the policy are met.

Heathery Heights is proud to be a signatory of the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism

As a signatory of the Glasgow Declaration, we commit to deliver plans aligned with the pathways to cut tourism emissions in half over the next decade and reach Net Zero emissions as soon as possible before 2050.

Heathery Heights commits to:

Support the global commitment to halve emissions by 2030 and reach Net Zero as soon as possible before 2050;

Deliver climate action plans within 12 months from becoming a signatory (or updating existing plans), and begin implementing them;

Align plans with the five pathways of the Declaration (Measure, Decarbonise, Regenerate, Collaborate, Finance) to accelerate and co-ordinate climate action in tourism;

Report publicly on an annual basis on progress against interim and long-term targets, as well as on actions being taken;

Work in a collaborative spirit, sharing good practices and solutions, and disseminating information to encourage additional organisations to become signatories and supporting one another to reach targets as quickly as possible.

‍

Policy aims

We endeavour to:

• Comply with and exceed all relevant regulatory requirements.
• Continually improve and monitor environmental performance.
• Continually improve and reduce environmental impacts.
• Incorporate environmental factors into business decisions.
• Increase contracted freelance staff awareness and training.

Paper

• We will minimise the use of paper in the office.
• We will reduce packaging as much as possible.
• We will seek to buy recycled and recyclable paper products.
• We will reuse and recycle all paper where possible.

Energy and water

• We will seek to reduce the amount of energy and water used as much as possible.
• Lights and electrical equipment will be switched off when not in use.
• Heating will be adjusted with energy consumption in mind.
• The energy consumption and efficiency of new products will be considered when purchasing. This includes outdoor equipment and clothing used or sold for outdoor activities.

Office and equipment supplies

• We will evaluate if the need can be met in another way.
• We will evaluate if renting/sharing is an option before purchasing equipment.
• We will evaluate the environmental impact of any new products we intend to purchase.
• We will favour more environmentally friendly and efficient products wherever possible.
• We will reuse and recycle everything we are able to.

Environmental

• We will comply with the laws of the land that are put into place to protect species of animal and plant. These include:

1. The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
2. Scottish Outdoor Access Code
3. The Countryside Code (England and Wales)
4. The Theft Act 1968 (regarding picking of plants)
5. The Seafood Fisheries (Shellfish) Act 1967

• We will abide by access laws of the land.
• We will take care not to disturb animals and plants unnecessarily.
• We will endeavour to leave areas in better condition than we found them.
• We will only forage sustainably, taking care not to damage plants or take from areas where there is a paucity of a species.
• We will help our clients learn about and maintain good practices in the outdoor environs.

Transportation

• We will reduce the need to travel, restricting to necessity trips and/or promoting shared transport where appropriate.
• We will promote the use of travel alternatives such as e-mail or video/phone conferencing where appropriate.
• We will make additional efforts to accommodate the needs of those using public transport or bicycles.
• We will favour ‘green' vehicles where possible and maintain all vehicles to ensure ongoing efficiency.

Maintenance and cleaning

• Cleaning materials used will be as environmentally friendly as possible.
• Materials used in office refurbishment will be as environmentally friendly as possible.
• Clothing and equipment for outdoor use will be as environmentally friendly as possible.
• We will only use licensed and/or appropriate organisations to dispose of waste.

Monitoring and improvement

• We will comply with and exceed all relevant regulatory requirements.
• We will continually improve and monitor environmental performance.
• We will continually improve and reduce environmental impacts.
• We will incorporate environmental factors into business decisions.
• We will increase contracted freelance staff awareness through our policies and training.
• We will review this policy and any related business issues on an ongoing basis.

Culture

• We will involve those working for, or in association with, Heathery Heights in the implementation of this policy, for greater commitment and improved environmental performance.
• We will update this policy at least once annually in consultation with other stakeholders where necessary.
• We will use local labour and materials where available to reduce CO2 and help the community.

Signed: Heather Thomas-Smith Printed name: HEATHER THOMAS-SMITH

Position: Owner Date: 21 January 2022