TDLC Sustainable Development Policy

TDLC Sustainable Development Policy

Page No.

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1.0 Overall Aim 2

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- CONTENTS -

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2.0 General statement ofintent 2

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3.0 Scope 2

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4.0 Context 2

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5.0 Key issues 3

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6.0 Key policy principles 4

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7.0 Implementation 5

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8.0 Resources 5

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9.0 Training 5

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TDLC Policies 

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1.0 Overall aim

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This policy describes the framework within which TDLC will conduct its activities in order to

contribute towards global pursuits of sustainable development. Sustainable development is about wealth

creation, environmental protection and social justice going hand in hand when taking decisions and

planning for long-term benefits.

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2.0 General statement of intent

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The essence of this policy can be summarized asfollows:

TDLC is committed to the principles of sustainable development. It will progressively integrate these

principles into its daily activities. Through its work with the local JCP offices and learners studying at a

level 3 it will seek to increase awareness of sustainable development within the location generally and

to ensure that wherever possible, its overall business activities support the achievement of sustainable

development objectives.

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3.1 Scope

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The policy applies to all operational and support services and activities of TDLC and will seek to

influence suppliers and learner’s sustainable development activity.

 

In addition, it:

 describes how we aim to deliver and maximize sustainable development performance

improvements

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 is consistent with the United Kingdom’s commitment to sustainable development.

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 The policy will be reviewed and revised as necessary, at least every three years.

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4.1 Context

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Sustainable development is the process by which we move towards sustainability and is about shaping

our own future in ways which ensure a better quality of life for everyone, now and for generations to

come. It recognizes that the quality of people’s lives and the state of our communities are affected by a

combination of economic, social and environmental factors. Lasting solutions to global problems can

only be achieved by making these linkages. The most widely used definition appeared back in 1987, in

the Brundtland report, and was endorsed five years later at the Earth Summit in Rio.

"Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future

generations to meet their own needs"

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Sustainability has been a central theme in international, national and local development policy since 180

governments first committed themselves to the concept of sustainable development at the 1992 Rio

Earth Summit - and reaffirmed this commitment at the Rio +10 conference in Johannesburg in 2002.

The UK Government committed to the development of a UK Sustainable Development Strategy. The

UK’s third strategy was issued in March 2005 and is applicable to all of t h e UK, including devolved

administrations such as Welsh Assembly Government, and defines sustainable development as

’ensuring a better quality of life for everyone, now and for generations to come’.

 

At its heart lies the following 5 key principles:

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TDLC Policies 

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- Living within environmental limits

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- Ensuring a strong, healthy and just society

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- Achieving a sustainable economy

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- Using sound science responsibly

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- Promoting good governance

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TDLC can have an impact in terms of its social, economic and environmental responsibilities as a

provider of training services, and in the way that it operates as an organization.

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TDLC impacts on the health and wellbeing of staff, learners and customers as:

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 A provider ofservices

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 A purchaser of goods and services

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 An educator and developer ofskills

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 A community developer

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 A strategic planner

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In order to chart progress towards sustainable development, the Welsh Assembly

Government has defined twelve headline indicators. The Department of Health is directly

responsible for performance against the indicator ’expected healthy years of life’. In addition, it can

be argued that the Trust activities have an indirect positive effect in moving at least five other

indicators (economy, employment, poverty and social exclusion, education, crime) in the right

direction. As an organization responsible for improving the health and well-being of people in

Wales, the core activities of the Trust can be considered to be directly supporting sustainable

development, if the wider impacts and by-products of its activities are also managed in accordance

with sustainable development principles.

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Increasingly, people all over the world are realizing that our current way of life is not sustainable.

Business as usual is not an option - things must change. For organizations in general, there is

increasing attention on corporate social responsibility - the integration of social and environmental

concerns into business operations – as described in the European Commission Green Paper Promoting a

European Framework for Corporate Social Responsibility.

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5.1 Key issues

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The key issues addressed by this policy are:

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 maximising the potential of employees to contribute towards sustainable development.

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 sustaining the environment for futuregenerations.

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 supporting the communities within which TDLC operates.

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 managing the wider impacts on society of activity.

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 engaging stakeholders and public disclosure of progress.

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TDLC Policies 

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6.1 Key policy principles

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To address these issues, the following principles will apply to the activities of the TDLC:

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 All employees will be treated fairly and equitably in accordance with existing policies and in line

with TDLC core values.

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 The management of health and safety will be continually improved through the development

and maintenance of a health and safety policy and appropriate managementsystems.

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 Investment in the training and development of employees will be sustained in accordance with

the requirements of the Knowledge and Skills Framework - KSF.

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 Activities will be conducted ethically and with integrity in accordance with a code of business

ethics.

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 Endeavors to sustain the environment for future generations will be governed by an

environmental policy and an accredited environmental management system - EMS in accordance

with the international standard ISO 14001.

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 Purchasing activity on behalf of the TDLC will be conducted in accordance with the

TDLC’s Environmental ProcurementPolicy.

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 Sourcing from within local communities in a manner that is consistent both with EU rules and

domestic policy governing public procurement, and with the achievement of sustainable

development objectives, will be actively promoted and encouraged.

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 Conserving energy, water, wood, paper and other resources - particularly those which are scarce

or nonrenewable - while still providing a safe and comfortable working environment.

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 Reducing waste through re-use and recycling and by using refurbished and recycled products and

materials where such alternatives are available (provided they meet quality requirements and give

value for money).

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 Encouraging manufacturers, suppliers and contractors through tighter specifications to develop

environmentally preferable goods and services at competitive prices.

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 Ensuring that any products derived from natural sources (e.g. timber) are from verified

sustainable sources.

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 Working with contractors to improve environmental performance where this is relevant to the

contract and to the achievement of value formoney.

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 Developing and maintaining, where significant hazards exist, emergency procedures for

effectively dealing with them and limiting the risk to health and the environment

 Encouraging more sustainable travel to work options via a Sustainable Travel Plan.

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 Educating, training and motivating staff and contractors to work in a more sustainably

responsible manner and to play a full part in developing new ideas and initiatives.

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TDLC Policies 

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 Communicating openly with staff about sustainable development policies and best practice

(including best available scientific advice) and co-operating with others in the public and private

sectors at home and abroad to develop and promote environmentally sound practices.

In addition, organizations with which TDLC does business with, will be encouraged to support and

adopt these principles within their own sphere of business activities.

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7.1 Implementation

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In implementing this policy, the organization will:

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 Review its systems to ensure the elements of Sustainable Development are incorporated as

appropriate.

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 Review current processes and procedures to take account of the requirements of Sustainable

Development.

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 Consult with stakeholders to understand their requirements and priorities around Sustainable

Development.

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 Communicate our action plans and progress on a regular basis.

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8.0 Resources

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The necessary resources for sustainable development are already in place, as an integral part of TDLC

budgetary allocations, and the implication of this policy will not entail additional expenditure.

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9.0 Training

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Sustainable development is a relatively new concept and specific training will be provided to key staff

whose roles and responsibilities have the potential to impact on overall sustainable development

objectives. All staff will undergo training as required for their training needs.

 

A Sustainable Development Strategy to raise awareness of sustainable development issues to encourage staff to think

sustainably when carrying out policy and operational functions will also be posted on the TDLC

website.

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