Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), an independent international medical humanitarian organisation, focuses on providing emergency aid in more than 70 countries to people affected by armed conflict; epidemics; natural or man-made disasters or exclusion from health care. From our offices in London, we support the field work of medical personnel by recruiting volunteers, collecting donations and raising awareness of humanitarian crises through the media.
Compliance with environmental policy
The criteria set out in this policy statement are complied with the agreement of staff based at our offices in London.
Scope
The environmental policy of MSF applies to impacts on the environment from our offices in London.
Elements of policy
- Ensure compliance with environmental legislation and codes of conduct, relevant to the operations of voluntary organisations in the United Kingdom;
- Increase awareness among employees, supporters and suppliers on environment issues, including measures to minimise adverse impacts from waste, water use, purchasing and travel;
- Reduce waste through recycling office supplies and equipment and switching off equipment and lights at the end of the working day;
- Ensure minimal emission of carbon from travel by reducing the frequency of ordering office supplies, using public transport and supporting cycling to work by staff;
- Increase energy efficiency through switching off heating during warmer month,
- Commitment to conduct annual reviews and, as appropriate, update environmental policy to ensure it remains consistent with the services provided by MSF.M
MSF recognises that impacts of our operations on the environment are linked directly to how we manage waste generated in offices, our use of energy and water and choices made for travel.
Actions taken to minimise any adverse impacts on the environment, promote efficient use of energy and improve waste management include (i) recycling stationery, plastics and cans; (ii) making more efficient use of water at our offices, (iii) using public transport to attend meetings and (iv) replacing some journeys to meetings with videoconferencing and other similar communication technology.
Improving the environmental performance of our organisation is a commitment made already by the office. There is a willingness to take timely and appropriate actions to increase awareness and knowledge about environmental issues among Trustees, managers and employees, including volunteers.
We will continue to pursue actions to improve energy efficiency in our offices and reduce carbon emissions. Actions include increasing awareness of environmental and climate change issues among staff, establishing a bicycle purchase scheme as part of developing a travel plan to promote greener modes of transport, making more efficient use of water in our offices, reducing the frequency with which goods are delivered and replacing some travel with videoconferencing or conference calling.