Environmental & Sustainability Policy

Baines Cutler Solutions Ltd is committed to minimising its environmental impact and promoting sustainability in all business operations. We recognise our responsibility to protect the environment, prevent pollution, and continually improve our environmental performance in accordance with UK environmental legislation and international good practice.

As a remote-working professional services company, our main environmental impacts arise from:

• Employee home-working energy use
• Business travel (UK and international)
• Digital operations and data hosting
• Procurement and supply chain choices

We are committed to helping the UK achieving the national Net Zero carbon emissions target by 2050 and embedding sustainability within all aspects of our decision-making, operations and stakeholder engagement.

1. Policy Aims

We aim to:

• Prevent pollution and minimise our environmental footprint.
• Comply with, and where possible exceed, all applicable environmental legislation, regulations, and codes of practice.
• Promote sustainable practices across our operations.
• Embed environmental and sustainability considerations into strategic and operational decision-making.
• Support our clients and partners in meeting their own sustainability objectives.

2. Legal & Regulatory Compliance

Baines Cutler Solutions Ltd complies with all relevant environmental legislation, including:

• Environmental Protection Act 1990
• Climate Change Act 2008 (as amended 2019)
• Environment Act 2021
• Waste Regulations (England and Wales) 2011
• Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS)
• Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2013 (WEEE)
• Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH)

We also align with best practice frameworks such as ISO 14001:2015, PPN 06/21 Carbon Reduction Plans, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on Goals 3, 5, 7 and 8.

3. Key Commitments

3.1 Resource Efficiency

• Reduce energy consumption through efficient use of remote working locations, IT infrastructure, and equipment.
• Prioritise energy from renewable sources where practicable for remote working locations and travel.
• Minimise the use of paper and promote digital alternatives.

3.2 Waste Management

We operate a paperless desk policy, recycle electronic waste through certified WEEE providers, and use cloud platforms powered by renewable energy where possible, as well as:

• Apply the waste hierarchy of reduce, reuse, recycle.
• Ensure safe and responsible disposal of all waste.
• Reduce single-use plastics and encourage sustainable alternatives e.g. reusable water bottles.

3.3 Sustainable Procurement

We prioritise suppliers with environmental credentials, local sourcing, and renewable energy. All new suppliers must provide sustainability declarations aligned to ISO 20400:2017 which align with:

• Working with suppliers and partners who share our commitment to sustainability.
• Consider environmental and social impacts in procurement decisions.
• Source products and services with recognised sustainability credentials wherever possible.

3.4 Travel & Transport

• Encourage the use of virtual meetings to reduce business travel and minimise C02.
• Promote public transport, cycling, walking, and car-sharing for all employees where practical.
• Prioritise the use of low-emission or electric vehicles where feasible.
• Flights only approved where no virtual or rail option exists.
• All travel emissions logged, and a valid attempt made to offset this.

3.5 Employee Engagement & Training

All employees receive environmental awareness training during their induction term, and are encouraged to adopt home-working sustainability practices which include:

• Encouraging employee participation in sustainability initiatives.
• Encouraging employees to choose utility providers that offer energy tarrifs powered by sustainable sources such as solar, wind, hydro or biofuels.
• Recognise and share good practice across the organisation.

4. Governance & Continuous Improvement

Environmental performance is reviewed annually by the Founder and Managing Director of Baines Cutler Solutions Ltd. and Sustainability Lead. This policy is reviewed annually and updated as required.

• The Founder of Baines Cutler Solutions Ltd holds overall responsibility for the implementation of this policy, which is effective from 11/11/2025.
• Environmental and sustainability performance will be monitored and reviewed annually.
• Objectives and targets will be updated to reflect new opportunities, challenges and legislative requirements.
• Feedback from staff and clients will inform ongoing improvements.

5. Communication

This policy is communicated to all employees and contractors and is made available on the company’s website at bainescutler.com/environmental_sustainability_policy.