The Agency is the only public sector body to appear in the top 10. The Sunday Times’ Green List is a guide on businesses with the most radically improved environmental performances, and takes account of the views of employees, as well as assessing the environmental performance, policies and practices of businesses.
In addition to proving its green credentials, the Environment Agency also won a special award for the best large organisation for employee engagement, following outstanding scores in the survey of staff opinion about their attitudes towards protecting the environment at work.
The Environment Agency has day-to-day responsibility for protecting the environment in England and Wales, and is the government’s green adviser. Over 99% of the electricity it uses is from renewable sources, and stringent targets are in place for reducing energy and water.
Recycling facilities are available in its offices, covering 20 different types of waste. The organisation’s green travel policies have led to a mileage reduction of some 8.9 million miles over the past two years. In three years, the Environment Agency has managed to reduce its overall carbon footprint by 14% and water use by 10%.
Graham Ledward, director of resources at the Environment Agency, said: “I’m delighted that the Environment Agency has been recognised for its environmental achievements, and this commendation demonstrates that we put the environment at the heart of everything we do.
“It’s important that we help set new standards on environmental performance and it shows public and private sector organisations not only that it can be done, but also that it reduces costs to the business too.”
Richard Caseby, managing editor of The Sunday Times, said: “The 60 companies in this survey are all pioneers – enterprising, enlightened and fizzing with new ideas. All have a common sense of purpose about their corporate social responsibility. There may be plenty of environmental awards, but this is the first that has both a robust methodology to measure environmental performance and a survey of each company’s staff to find out whether the green sheen is more than skin-deep.”
Source: Environment Agency
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