Biodiversity Duty Report 2015-18 - Children's Hearings Scotland

CHS and biodiversity

Children’s Hearings Scotland (CHS) is a non-departmental public body employing 24 staff at our office in Edinburgh. We also recruit, train and support almost 3000 volunteer panel and AST members.

The CHS Board and Senior Management Team is committed to improving how we work as an organisation. As an NDPB we have a responsibility to work in a way which contributes to biodiversity conservation. 

CHS Office

CHS’ is based in Ladywell House, Edinburgh. We rent our office space from National Records of Scotland (NRS). Our office space is 229 square metres, or 5.45% of the total building space.

Office supplies

We utilise recycling containers for our paper, plastic and can waste. We have a contract in place with a third party who shreds and recycles our confidential paperwork.

We ensure that when we purchase paper for our office it carries the Forest Stewardship Accreditation logo or the EU Ecolabel.

The Forest Stewardship Accreditation logo identifies whether the wood came from forests that are managed in a way that will ensure the forest continues to survive in the long term. The EU Ecolabel helps to identify products and services that have a reduced environmental impact throughout their life cycle. 

When investing in a new printer/scanner we ensured that it was an energy efficient model, which uses up to 86% less energy when not in use, leading to lower CO2 emissions.

We strive to limit the paper we use in our office and staff are encouraged to minimise printing. To support this we have recently invested in two smart boards and upgraded our projector which we use for team meetings. We also limit the amount our post by corresponding primarily through email.

Staff are instructed to turn off monitors and electronic equipment at the end of the working day.

Office environment

Our office uses energy efficient light bulbs which are zoned and connected to motion sensors enabling them to time out and switch off when areas of the office are inactive.

Since 2015/16 CHS has monitored it’s carbon footprint in relation to its office at Ladywell House. Our Carbon Footprint, in tonnes CO2e, has reduced from 26 to 24 since 2015/16.

Travel

Our staff and volunteers are expected to consider the impact their travel has on the environment. Staff are encouraged to take public transport to travel for work related purposes and the use of taxis is discouraged unless several staff are travelling together. 

CHS operates a flexible working policy and staff and volunteers can work remotely where appropriate and make use of digital technologies to connect with colleagues, for example video or teleconferencing.

Our volunteer Expenses Policy asks volunteers to consider the environment when selecting appropriate travel to hearings and meetings. 

We have limited parking at Ladywell House which encourages staff to travel to work by public transport or take part in Scottish Government’s Cycle to Work scheme. 

Procurement 

Our procurement policy outlines that CHS is committed to buying goods and services in a sustainable manner. 

This is done by: 

• utilising government procurement frameworks where possible.
• achieving VfM on a whole life cost basis; and 
• delivering benefits not only for the organisation but for society, the economy and the environment. 

CHS ensures that sustainability is embedded and proportionately applied to all its procurement decisions and activities.

Future developments 

1. CHS will review its Travel Policy for CHS staff to ensure that environmental impact is a criteria for selecting appropriate travel, in line with our Volunteer Travel policy
2. CHS will be mindful of environmental impact when developing our Property Strategy.
3. CHS will explore local catering options which minimise use of plastics.

Published: 2018

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