Environmental and Sustainability Policy

Introduction

The Women’s Fund for Nature (“WFN”) is a UK-registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation whose objects include conserving, protecting and improving the physical and natural environment in the UK by supporting community‑led and innovative solutions to nature loss and climate inaction (Constitution, Clause 3).

As an environmental charity, WFN recognises that its own operations must reflect the highest standards of environmental responsibility. This policy outlines our commitment to environmental sustainability across all areas of our work, governance, funding decisions and partnerships.


Purpose of this Policy

This policy aims to:

  • Embed environmental responsibility into WFN’s day‑to‑day operations, governance, and culture.

  • Ensure our actions are consistent with our charitable objects and values.

  • Guide trustees, staff, volunteers, partners and grantees in making decisions that minimise environmental impact.

  • Demonstrate leadership by upholding best practice in sustainability.

Scope

This policy applies to:

  • Trustees (in line with their duties under Clauses 9 and 14 of the Constitution).

  • Staff, contractors and volunteers engaged in WFN activities.

  • Funding and investment decisions.

  • Partnerships, events, communications and procurement.

  • All activities carried out under the WFN name.

Our Commitment

WFN commits to:

Minimising our Environmental Footprint

We will:

  • Reduce energy consumption and choose renewable energy where possible.

  • Minimise waste, prioritising reduction, re‑use, and recycling.

  • Avoid single‑use plastics in operations and events.

  • Choose environmentally sustainable digital tools and hosting providers as much as we are able.

  • Reduce business travel; prioritise virtual meetings as supported in Clause 15(4) of the Constitution.

Sustainable Procurement

WFN will:

  • Purchase goods and services that are low‑impact, ethical and environmentally responsible.

  • Select suppliers who can demonstrate their own carbon‑reduction or sustainability commitments.

  • Avoid products linked with deforestation, biodiversity loss, or unethical supply chains.

Responsible Travel

WFN will:

  • Encourage remote meetings where reasonable.

  • Prioritise public transport for essential travel.

  • Offset unavoidable travel emissions through verified schemes aligned with our charitable objects.

Ethical Funding & Investments

In accordance with our powers under Clause 5 and Clause 4(5) of the Constitution, WFN will ensure that:

  • Any investments align with environmental protection and climate responsibility.

  • Funds will not be invested in fossil fuels, environmentally damaging industries, or companies failing to meet climate‑related standards.

  • Grants are awarded to organisations whose work aligns with WFN’s environmental mission.

Environmentally Responsible Events

WFN will ensure all events:

  • Minimise waste and encourage reusables.

  • Prioritise plant‑based and sustainably sourced catering.

  • Provide low‑carbon travel options for attendees.

  • Include accessibility considerations in planning.

Grant Making & Programme Delivery

All grant decisions will:

  • Prioritise projects that support nature recovery, biodiversity, community‑led conservation, or climate action.

  • Consider applicants’ own environmental policies and impacts.

  • Avoid funding activities causing environmental harm or conflicting with our objects.

Grantees may be asked to report on environmental factors relevant to their project’s impact.

Governance and Trustee Responsibilities

Trustees have a legal duty to act in good faith and in the best interest of the charity (Constitution Clause 9). As such, trustees will:

  • Integrate environmental considerations into strategic decision‑making.

  • Ensure delegated committees (Clause 14) uphold this policy.

  • Review annual environmental performance as part of wider governance reporting (Clause 25).

Trustees will also ensure that conflicts of interest (Clause 7) do not compromise the charity’s environmental objectives.

Monitoring and Reporting

WFN will:

  • Where feasible, record sustainability performance annually, including energy use, waste, travel and procurement.

  • Review progress against our commitments during yearly trustee meetings.

  • Publish environmental highlights in the Trustees’ Annual Report (Clause 25).

  • Revise this policy every two years to ensure continuous improvement.

Communication and Training

WFN will:

  • Share this policy with all trustees, staff, volunteers and key partners.

  • Provide training or guidance on sustainability where needed.

  • Promote environmental awareness across all charity activities.