The following environmental policy
was adopted by Suffolk County Council on 21 April 2010.
Suffolk County Council is committed to the sustainable
management of the local and global environment. We will
strive to create Suffolk as the greenest county by tackling the
issue of climate change, reducing our carbon emissions, and
protecting and enhancing the natural and historic environment. In
delivering our services we are committed to meeting all relevant
regulatory, legislative and other requirements, and preventing
pollution, and to the continual improvement of our environmental
performance. The Environment Panel will develop the council’s
environment policies, targets and plans and will oversee the
implementation of the council’s Environment Action Plan. We will be
explicit about monitoring and measuring our progress towards
achieving our plans and targets.
The council recognises the importance of managing its own direct
and indirect environmental impacts and will encourage other members
of the community to reduce their negative impacts on the
environment. We will seek to demonstrate to the community including
businesses, the general public, the voluntary sector and employees,
the benefits of improving environmental practices, reducing carbon
emissions and managing resources. We will seek to involve these
groups in decisions affecting the local and global
environment.
The following objectives support the environment policy:
a) We will manage and improve our own environmental
performance through the implementation of an environmental
management system. This will ensure that we undertake the following
actions:
- Prevent environmental pollution and minimise waste.
- Reduce our carbon emissions.
- Continually improve our energy efficiency and reduce our use of
resources.
- Reduce the impact of vehicle travel by county council
employees.
- Implement sustainable procurement.
- Minimise the impact on the environment of all existing and
planned county council activities.
- Enhance biodiversity, conserve distinctive landscapes and
protect the historic environment.
b) We will ensure that sustainable development and design is a
fundamental element of our policies and activities.
c) We will champion environmental awareness and sustainability
to staff and Suffolk’s communities.
d) We will involve and consult the public on issues affecting
the local and global environment.
e) We will work in partnership with other organisations and
through education, advice and regulation help to bring about
environmental protection and enhancement.
f) We will champion Suffolk’s ambition to Create the Greenest
County and will contribute actively to achieve this ambition.
g) We will work with business to develop a greener economy in
Suffolk