Environmental
Sustainability
Policy

As a Trust, we recognise the existence and importance of climate change, and accept that our activities as an organisation can have a negative environmental impact. In writing this policy, we commit to reviewing our impact and doing all we can to reduce our carbon footprint and waste generation. We also recognise the importance of encouraging sustainable practices for staff and service users, and our responsibility in educating those we work with. This policy outlines our commitments to achieve greater sustainability, and the steps we will take to mitigate our environmental impact.

Carlisle United FC Community Sports Trust is involved in a range of community based activities including coaching of football, after school clubs, provision of local soccer schools, walking football for older players as well as fitness classes such as yoga and pilates. Educational activities are also provided with football scholarships offered for 16 years and over players up to degree level. The Trust is also involved in the National Citizen Service scheme which includes residential activities periodically and charity and social events. Trust activities are carried out at our main base at Neil Sports Centre, Carlisle, at the Education Centre at Brunton Park as well as at local community and school facilities. From time to time off-site activities are also undertaken involving residential and outdoor activities to help build confidence and a range of personal skills.

We recognise that our operations result in emissions to air and water, and the generation of waste. It is our aim to comply with legislation and other requirements, continue to reduce the environmental impacts of our organisation and operate in an environmentally responsible manner. This policy describes how we will achieve our aim.

The management of Carlisle United Community Sports Trust will communicate to employees and volunteers their commitment to safety and to ensure that employees and volunteers are familiar with the contents of this policy. This will form part of the induction process upon joining Carlisle United Community Sports Trust and will be conducted by the Community Trust Manager or their approved representative.

This environmental sustainability policy is available at the main office and is displayed within the Centre. All members of staff will receive training on the environmental responsibilities of their role and will be informed of any updates or revisions via e-mail or team meetings.

All employees and volunteers are expected to co-operate with the Community Trust Manager and Sustainability Co-Ordinator and to accept their personal responsibility towards environmental sustainability.

Carlisle United Community Sports Trust will also communicate and co-ordinate with other stakeholders such as Carlisle United FC, suppliers and venue providers to promote awareness of environmental sustainability and to work with stakeholders to further develop and improve environmental sustainability throughout processes and activities.

To ensure that this policy is kept up to date and reflects any changes in legislation, this policy will be reviewed at least every twelve months. If, however, major changes in legislation take place then the policy will be reviewed sooner, as de

This environmental sustainability policy applies to all of our operations including management, office services, community activities and procurement. The Trustees have overall and final responsibility for environmental sustainability within the Community Sports Trust. The named Trustee responsible for environmental sustainability is Gordon Hastings, CMIOSH.

John Halpin, Community Manager, is accountable for the implementation of environmental sustainability procedures and has responsibility for ensuring that sufficient resources are made available to enable the Trust to achieve its environmental objectives and targets and that the policy is implemented.

Natasha Adams, Sustainability Co-Ordinator, has the day to day responsibility for ensuring that the requirements of this policy are being followed and for monitoring the effectiveness of the objectives. However, all employees have a responsibility in their area to ensure that the aims and objectives of the policy are met.

From February 2022 to 1 March 2023, we aim to:

• Implement our new environmental sustainability policy.
• Undertake an environmental sustainability audit of our operations and begin to action any recommendations identified.
• Develop an Environmental Sustainability Plan based upon the audit findings to manage and further develop environmental sustainability.
• Integrate our Environmental Sustainability Plan with our Strategic Plan and Operational Plan.
• To embed environmental sustainability across all operations and activities by implementing relevant systems and processes.
• To provide all employees, Trustees and volunteers with environmental sustainability awareness training.
• To make efficient use of natural resources by conserving energy and water, minimising waste and recycling where possible.
• To meet our duty of care requirements in relation to waste by ensuring the safe keeping, transportation and subsequent recovery or disposal of waste.
• To keep transport use to a minimum and regularly service vehicles to maintain their efficiency.
• To work with suppliers and stakeholders to ensure they recognise and reduce the environmental impact of their products and transportation.
• To include environmental considerations in investment decisions for new equipment or working practices.
• To inform and train all employees, Trustees and volunteers of the environmental objectives and how they can assist in meeting targets.
• To use the most environmentally friendly cleaning products whenever possible.

From February 2022 to 1 March 2023 and taking in to account our planned environmental sustainability audit, we aim to:

• Reduce vehicle emissions to air by the scheduling of work to reduce mileage and servicing all vehicles, encouraging shared transport arrangements where appropriate as well as using remote Zoom meetings.
• Reduce the generation of waste by ensuring all activities are accurately scoped and priced to ensure material usage is minimised.
• Recycle paper, cardboard, plastic and glass waste generated in the office to further reduce waste as much as possible.
• Reduce paper usage by increasing the use of e-mail and electronic documentation.
• Reduce energy consumption by monitoring energy usage and training staff on basic housekeeping.
• Where possible, establish a baseline for mileage, recycling, energy and waste so that progress can be monitored.
• Specific actions and targets will be developed following completion of the initial environmental sustainability audit.

Progress against these objectives will be monitored through a number of mediums including:

• Annual management review of this environmental sustainability policy and any associated environmental procedures.
• Baseline measurements and verification of mileage, recycling, energy use and waste production: 

- Mileage measured from staff claims (can be broken down monthly or measured annually).

-  Recycling measured by volume (based on bin usage). Records to be kept tracking bin emptying.

-  Energy consumption cannot yet be measured, as we are part of the club grounds with no individual meter but we will explore reasonable steps to identify any measures we can implement to improve or address this.

-  General waste can be measured in a similar way to the recycling, by volume.

• Regular internal audits of environmental procedures.
• The monitoring of environmental objectives and associated KPIs / targets.
• Update reports provided to Trustee meetings.