In line with the UK Government’s Net Zero targets, all large companies are required to report on their energy use and carbon emissions as part of their annual reporting. Barker are currently a small-medium enterprise and as such, this is not compulsory reporting for us. However, energy and sustainability are at the heart of the core services we offer to our clients and their stakeholders, and this extends inwards into a drive to reduce our own energy usage and carbon emissions from our offices and sites.
As part of our ESG commitments, we aim to achieve a more sustainable future and address global challenges related to issues such as climate, inequality and environmental degradation in line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Aligned with this, we have made significant inroads in the last 3 years to reduce our waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.
To assist our business and our staff in reducing their carbon emissions, we:
EV – Subscribe to the Tusker Vehicle Scheme, during which our staff can lease a fully electric car in exchange for a monthly reduction from their gross salary
Travel reduction – While travelling between sites, we encourage our staff to use public transport as opposed to private vehicles, especially for sites within London
Waste reduction – Have a waste reduction plan in conjunction with our move towards paperless operations.
Office design – We have incorporated low energy lighting, HVAC controls and biophilic design where feasible.
In line with our comprehensive Health and Safety Policy, which gives the same consideration to protection of the environment as to protection of our company management functions, and we stringently adhere to the duties and responsibilities placed upon us by the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and other statutory provisions applicable to the environment.
Throughout our activities, Barker ensure that our Employees, Agents and Subcontractors take action to:
– Minimise pollution to air, land and water
-Reduce waste and use only waste management licensed sites for disposal purposes
-Conserve energy
-Inform all Employees on matters relevant to the environment
-Ensure that all chemicals/substances are stored safely
-Ensure that no substances are discharged to any verge, hedgerow, water body or other habitat
-Recognise special areas of conservation and take appropriate action.
Additionally, all Barker Employees at all levels, have a duty to:
-Work in a safe and efficient manner with regard not only to their own safety, but that of others and others’ property that may be affected by their acts or omissions
-Halt all operations on discovering the whereabouts of protected species under British Legislation (such as badgers and their sets, all species of bat, nesting birds, great crested newts) until the management has been informed and permission obtained to carry on
-Set a personal example by disposing of litter in the appropriate place
-Assist the company to comply with the relevant statutory provisions for a healthier environment.