Statement of Commitment:

"An environmental policy commitment is a justice issue close to the heart of our charity's aims. The struggle against disastrous climate change is a part of the struggle against future resource conflict and against human injustice.

We the Trustees for the time being of The Fellowship of Reconciliation, England, registered charity number 207822, our observers, and our staff, are committed to the best practicable reduction of our operational carbon footprint. This commitment is ongoing, and we shall make public the steps we have taken towards carbon output reduction on our website at: www.for.org.uk/peacehouse/pheco.shtml"

Signed: The Board of Trustees, 05 March 2011

Reporting:

Since most of our footprint is a result of operations in our head office (Peace House) the Peace House Working Group will undertake to regularly review our actions in the light of this policy, and make recommendations to the Trustees whenever opportunity is found to reduce our carbon impact further. The Centre Administrator shall serve as the Officer for Fire, Health, Safety and the Working Environment.

The steps we have already undertaken are:

• The installation of three co-mingled recycling points at Peace House, enabling all users of the building to recycle as much as Oxford City Council permits of trade waste customers.
• The installation of a composting point in the kitchen area.
• The recycling of all possible office waste through the use of clear comingled sacks on the Oxford City Council scheme.
• The implementation of a near-paperless bookings administration for Peace House.
• The supply of 100% renewable electricity to Peace House from April 2011
• The installation of low energy desk lamps in the staff office, reducing (but not removing) the need to light this room with higher-energy overhead light every day.
• Agreement among all the staff to not light the entrance and staircase during the day (when it is not in use, and adequately lit by natural light) unless there are visitors or natural light is failing.
• The re-use of stationery where possible.
• The fitting of loft insulation, 250mm made from recycled material.
• The move of our web and email to a host operating on 100% renewable (wind) energy; making delivery of our website and email communication carbon neutral.

Steps we could take, but have not yet taken are:

• Commitment to using 100% recycled paper for all stationery, mailings, and publications at extra cost to us. (We try to remember.)
• Commitment to using eco-friendly printing houses where low impact inks are used.
• Transitioning all staff to laptops, which require less energy to power than desktops (even with desk screens plugged in).
• Agreement of a low-fly and low-travel pledge, moving meetings to video conferencing where possible.
• Carbon offsetting through investment in a reforestation project in the UK.

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See also:

• Notes on use
• Equipment and Extras
• Environmental Policy
• Feedback