Sustainability Statement

V2 Jun26

Please click the links in the Table of Contents below to see specific sections of the policy, or you can download a PDF at the bottom of this article.

Table of Contents

1. Key Factors
2. Services
3. Operations – Client Related
4. Operations – Internal
5. Resources and Suppliers
6. Waste
7. Community

This policy outlines Assent’s commitment to sustainable practices that minimise environmental impact, promote social responsibility, and support economic viability. We are committed to integrating sustainability into all aspects of our operations.

Key Factors

We have identified the following key factors in our sustainability journey:

• Reducing our environmental footprint through considered resource use, ethical supplier selection, and responsible waste management. This includes carbon reduction and offsetting actions through our Carbon Tracker and Ecologi Tree Planting Membership. 
• Contributing to the protection of the eco system and wildlife protection through our Essex Wildlife Trust Gold Corporate Membership.
• Promoting ethical labour practices and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Supporting and embedding pro-active long-term practices and solutions rather than reactive short term actions.

We ensure the continued review and improvement of our ISO14001:2015 certified Environmental Management System, including annual audits by an impartial UKAS accredited certification body.

Our Environmental Policy can be found on our Trust Centre (search “Environmental”).

Services

• Our services are based in consultancy, advice, and auditing, and so do not produce and physical waste or by-products. 
• Our services are regularly reviewed to ensure that they meet the current social and economic guidelines for efficiency and sustainability.  

Operations – Client Related

• Where practical, and upon agreement with the client, our services will be conducted via remote and online conferencing methods to reduce travel to client sites
• Where site visits should be conducted, consultants will be required to consider public transport and low impact methods of travel as the preferred option.
• Where travel occurs, the carbon and emission data for the journey will be calculated and recorded, and an appropriate offset implemented.  

Operations – Internal

• We uphold a flexible working policy for our core employees to reduce travel to our main office.  
• Where practical, meetings and discussions are held via digital means (email, instant messaging, online conferencing software, etc). When a physical meeting is required, a central location is chosen which has good public transport options available for all staff and attendees. 
• We pride ourselves on being a paperless office, and all work is conducted via digital and cloud based tools (e.g. Google Drive, Microsoft Office, etc).
• We do not run physical on-site servers. All our servers are cloud based, with the supplier chosen for their sustainability credentials and environmentally responsible operations. The supplier is reviewed regularly to ensure efficiency and optimum environmental responsibility. 

Resources and Suppliers

• Where a new supplier is required, we compare multiple suppliers and evaluate them against a comprehensive set of criteria, including sustainability and environmental responsibility. We select the supplier that best aligns with our values and standards, and continuously review supplier performance through use and the annual review process. If a supplier no longer meets our environmental expectations, we proactively seek more responsible alternatives.
  • You can view our Supplier Policy and Supplier Code of Conduct on our Trust Centre (search “Supplier”)
• We pride ourselves on being a paperless office, and all work is conducted via digital and cloud based tools. Where physical resources are required (e.g. paper, notebooks, etc), an FSC, fully recyclable and / or other suitably environmentally conscious item is purchased. 
• Our office is part of a shared occupancy building, with the landlord taking responsibility for all amenities including energy and waste management. When choosing new locations, the environmental performance of the building and services is a key criteria.

Waste

• Our office is based in a managed, serviced, multiple occupancy building. For this reason, the waste separation facilities are not under our control. However, when choosing our new office space, this is always considered. Our current office provider has a four-way waste separation facility in each communal area, ensuring that paper waste, plastic waste, food waste, and general waste can be disposed of easily. 
• We pride ourselves on being a paperless office, and all work is conducted via digital and cloud based tools. Where paper waste must be produced (such as from incoming mail or unavoidable printing) the communal recycling facilities are utilised. 
• All our staff are encouraged to continue our waste recycling and energy efficiency culture when working from home, and in their out-of-work time.
• Our technology is used kept in use for as long as reasonably possible, utilising software updates, repair services, and general maintenance methods to keep items in service. However, when our tech devices do reach the end of their useful service, we dispose of them via one of two methods:
• Complete wipe and donation for continues use by friends, family, or charities
• Disposal of by an environmentally focused contractor who recycles as many components as possible. 

Community

• We are proud to be Essex Wildlife Trust Gold Corporate Members, helping the trust to maintain and protect the natural spaces and wildlife in our home county. 
• Employees from outside of our home county are encouraged to nominate initiatives, memberships, and charity events in their own area, which Assent supports wherever possible and practicable.
• Our annual Christmas charity is chosen via a poll populated with our employees and consultants’ charity nominations. We place a strong emphasis on having a mix of options available – including size, location, and focus. Fundraising activities are conducted throughout the month of December, with all internal and external parties encouraged to donate and participate. 
• We foster a culture of inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility seriously, and maintain an Inclusion, Diversity Equity, and Accessibility Policy. You can find it on our Trust Centre (search “Inclusion”). 

We strive to continue improving our environmental and sustainability practices through regular review, awareness, and goal-setting activities.

This Sustainability Statement is available to all interested parties via our website, and upon request.