Environmental and Carbon Reduction Policy

1. Purpose and Commitment

HJ Wheeler Associates Ltd recognises the importance of protecting the environment, reducing carbon emissions and using resources responsibly.
As a small professional services business, our direct environmental impact is relatively limited. We nevertheless believe that businesses of every size can make responsible choices and contribute to reducing emissions, waste and unnecessary consumption.

HJ Wheeler Associates Ltd supports the UK’s transition towards Net Zero and seeks to reduce the environmental impact of its activities through practical choices about energy, travel, purchasing, equipment, resources and waste. Our approach is proportionate to the scale and nature of our operations and focuses on actions we can realistically implement and sustain.

2. Our Environmental Principles

Our approach is guided by the following principles:

• reduce unnecessary consumption and waste;
• use what we already have effectively before replacing it;
• choose more environmentally responsible options when replacement or purchasing is necessary;
• avoid unnecessary travel while recognising the value of face-to-face work;
• use local, accessible and responsible suppliers where practical;
• make efficient use of energy and other resources; and
• review our working practices and make practical improvements as opportunities arise.

3. Energy and Heating

The electricity used for our principal business premises is supplied through a renewable energy tariff. We will continue to consider the environmental credentials of our energy supply when contracts are reviewed or changed.

We aim to use energy efficiently, including switching off equipment and lighting when not required and avoiding unnecessary heating or energy consumption.

We do not believe that functioning equipment should automatically be replaced simply because a newer option is available. When our boiler or other significant energy-using equipment reaches the end of its useful life and requires replacement, energy efficiency and environmental impact will be important considerations in choosing an appropriate replacement.

4. Paper, Printing and Resources

HJ Wheeler Associates Ltd operates predominantly through digital systems and seeks to avoid unnecessary printing.

Where printing is necessary, we use recycled paper wherever practicable and seek to minimise the amount printed. We also aim to:

• reuse materials and supplies where appropriate;
• avoid unnecessary single-use products and packaging;
• choose recycled, recyclable or sustainably sourced products where practical; and
• make efficient use of equipment and other resources.

5. Equipment and Technology

We seek to extend the useful life of laptops, phones, office equipment and other technology rather than replacing them routinely.

When equipment needs to be replaced, we will consider energy efficiency, durability, repairability, expected lifespan and environmental impact alongside functionality and cost. Electrical and electronic equipment will be reused, recycled or disposed of responsibly where appropriate.

6. Travel and Ways of Working

Travel is one of the more significant environmental impacts associated with a consultancy business. We therefore seek to avoid unnecessary journeys and use online or hybrid meetings where these are effective for the purpose of the work.

Where travel is required, we will use public transport and other lower-carbon options where practical and will seek to combine journeys or activities where this can reduce travel.

We also recognise that effective coaching, facilitation, leadership and organisational development sometimes requires people to work together face-to-face. Environmental considerations will therefore inform our decisions without compromising the quality, confidentiality, accessibility or effectiveness of the work.

7. Venues, Suppliers and Purchasing

Where HJ Wheeler Associates Ltd is responsible for selecting venues, we will seek, where practical, to use locations that are accessible to participants and reduce unnecessary travel. We will consider local venues and suppliers and their environmental practices where these are relevant and reasonably available.

When purchasing goods or services, we may consider:

• whether the purchase is necessary or an existing item can continue to be used;
• supplier location and associated transport requirements;
• energy efficiency and expected product lifespan;
• responsible sourcing and use of recycled or sustainable materials;
• packaging and waste; and
• the supplier’s environmental commitments where relevant.

8. Waste and Recycling

We aim to minimise the waste generated through our business activities. Where waste cannot reasonably be avoided, we will reuse or recycle materials wherever suitable facilities are available.

We will dispose of electrical equipment, batteries and other items requiring specialist handling through appropriate recycling or disposal routes.

9. Associates and Client Delivery

HJ Wheeler Associates Ltd works with a network of independent professional associates. We will plan delivery sensibly to avoid unnecessary associate travel and will encourage environmentally responsible choices where practical, without imposing disproportionate reporting or administrative requirements on associates.

For public-sector and other client commissions, we will consider environmental impact when agreeing on how work is delivered. This may include the balance between face-to-face and online work, location of meetings, travel arrangements, use of printed materials and selection of venues or suppliers.

Where a tender or contract requires specific environmental or carbon-reduction commitments, we will consider and agree with commitments that are relevant, proportionate and capable of being delivered. Where a formal Carbon Reduction Plan or quantified emissions reporting is specifically required, this will be addressed separately rather than represented by this policy.

10. Responsibility and Review

The Director is responsible for implementing and reviewing this policy and for considering opportunities to reduce the environmental impact of HJ Wheeler Associates Ltd as the business develops.

We will review this policy annually and update it where appropriate to reflect changes in our activities, technology, environmental good practice and relevant public-sector procurement requirements.

Our approach is to make environmental commitments that reflect what we genuinely do and can sustain, and to improve our practice over time rather than make unsupported environmental claims or targets.

Policy last reviewed: August 2026
Next review: August 2027