Our environment
At Openwork, we believe that we can improve the lives of our colleagues, advisers, clients and the wider community by having a positive impact on the environment
At Openwork, we believe that we can improve the lives of our colleagues, advisers, clients and the wider community by having a positive impact on the environment
Find an adviserOur environment
To meet our environmental goals, we will constantly review best practice. We will monitor our environmental impact and set quantitative targets to ensure a year-on-year reduction.
Our Environment
We are committed to being environmentally responsible. This includes participation in the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme ('ESOS') and the Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting regime ('SECR'). These schemes help us reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption. They also help improve our energy efficiency. In doing so, we aim to mitigate our impact on climate change.
By calculating our total energy consumption, carrying out energy audits, and identifying where energy savings can be made, we can improve energy efficiency across our business.
We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint. We are developing detailed plans and timelines to help us achieve our carbon neutral targets.
We believe that increasing our energy efficiency may help, in a small way, to mitigate climate change.
The buildings we occupy in Swindon and London have achieved either 'Very Good' or 'Excellent' BREEAM ratings. Compared to the Chartered Institute for Building Services Engineers 'Typical' office stock benchmark, our buildings perform well in terms of energy use.
To help calculate our total energy consumption, energy audits are conducted in line with ESOS and SECR requirements. These audits identify where energy savings can be made. They also identify our gas and electricity use and the fuel used for business mileage. This data allows us to identify our greenhouse gas emissions. It also helps us put controls in place to improve energy efficiency and reduce both emissions and energy use.
We encourage sustainable travel practices, including car sharing and the use of public transport.
As well as offering a cycle to work scheme, we have bike racks and electric charging points for those travelling to our Swindon office by hybrid or electric car.
We recognise the benefits of reduced travel on our carbon footprint. To support this, we support agile working. This enables colleagues to work from home and reduces the need to travel. We also encourage the use of videoconferencing where in-person meetings are not necessary.
We strongly encourage waste reduction and recycling across our business. We are committed to reducing waste and increasing the amount we recycle.
Examples of our waste and recycling initiatives include:
- Our colleagues collecting ring-pull ties and belts for upcycling into products that can be resold.
- We have a software system in place that allows colleagues to sell unwanted items instead of sending them to landfill.
- We support initiatives that reduce the use of plastic, particularly single-use plastics.
- We take steps to reduce paper waste. This includes encouraging electronic-only filing. It also includes double-sided printing where printing is needed. We have introduced a secure client site that allows advisers and clients to scan and upload documents, reducing paper use.
- We have installed recycling bins throughout our offices. These enable colleagues to recycle glass, paper, cardboard and plastic.
Our design decisions for our Swindon office fit-out and refurbishments were linked to environmental sustainability. This included reusing existing infrastructure and fittings where possible to reduce waste.