Environmental Policy

Environmental Policy 2010

Stroud District Council is committed to continuously improving the environment by reducing pollution and mitigating the impacts and adapting to the effects of climate change while encouraging and supporting others to do the same, for the benefit of residents, businesses and visitors to the Stroud District.

The Council has direct powers and responsibilities in planning and land use, environmental health, waste management, housing, leisure and economic development. It is also a significant resource user and employer. It therefore recognises that its operations and service delivery have a major impact on the environment.

Stroud District Council will achieve its commitment by maintaining an environmental management system – currently EMAS (Eco-Management and Audit Scheme) and ISO 14001- to continuously monitor progress. The Council will also ensure compliance with all relevant environmental legislation, guidance and best practice principles to fulfil its statutory environmental responsibilities. In this respect the Council will specifically endeavour to:

• Reduce the Council's own consumption of natural resources and energy and encourage others to do the same
• Support environmental initiatives that improve health and well being
• Prevent environmental pollution and reduce emissions of CO 2 and other greenhouse gases from council buildings, operations and activities
• Reduce the environmental impact of our supply chain and encourage and where possible require our suppliers and contractors to minimise the environment impact of their goods and services
• Reduce the volume of waste generated both by the Council and within the District
• Increase the amount of renewable energy generated within the district
• Protect, conserve and enhance our natural environment and its biodiversity whilst improving our parks and open spaces, public rights of ways and green corridors
• Plan and adapt the district to the effects of climate change
• Encourage a sustainable built environment through good planning policies and effective application of building regulations
• Minimise the environmental impacts of travel by developing sustainable travel solutions
• Provide information and support to both the public and staff to encourage interest in environmental matters

In order to achieve this, the Council will operate an environmental management system that will be integrated into the corporate management framework and which will:

• Apply to all activities undertaken by the Council, including contracted out services as new contracts are negotiated
• Set objectives and implement action programmes in order to minimise the negative environmental effects and increase the positive effects of the Council's activities