Our commitment
The NR5 Project, trading as Future Projects, is committed to achieving Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
This commitment applies across all parts of Future Projects, including Future Support, Future Education, Future Radio and our central organisational functions.
Our commitment covers:
- Scope 1 emissions: direct greenhouse gas emissions from sources owned or controlled by Future Projects;
- Scope 2 emissions: indirect greenhouse gas emissions associated with the electricity, heating and energy we purchase; and
- the following Scope 3 emissions associated with our wider activities:
- upstream transportation and distribution;
- waste generated in our operations;
- business travel;
- employee commuting; and
- downstream transportation and distribution.
We will take reasonable and proportionate steps to reduce these emissions over time and will work towards eliminating or reducing emissions as far as practicable before considering how any unavoidable residual emissions should be addressed.
Our Activities
Our activities do not involve carbon-intensive manufacturing or industrial processes, but we recognise that operating premises, purchasing goods and services, generating waste, using energy and travelling for work all have an environmental impact.
We accept responsibility for reducing that impact and embedding environmental considerations into our governance, operational decisions and service delivery.
Environmental management measures
We are taking and will continue to develop measures to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and wider environmental impact.
Energy and premises
We will:
- monitor energy use across our premises and identify opportunities to reduce unnecessary consumption;
- encourage staff, pupils, volunteers and building users to switch off lighting, heating and equipment when they are not required;
- consider energy efficiency when maintaining, replacing or purchasing equipment;
- use building controls, maintenance and working practices to reduce avoidable heating and electricity use;
- consider environmental performance when making significant premises, refurbishment or equipment decisions.
Waste and resource use
We follow the principles of reduce, reuse and recycle. We will:
- reduce unnecessary printing, paper use and single-use materials;
- use digital records and communications where appropriate;
- reuse equipment and materials where this is safe and practical;
- purchase recycled, recyclable, repairable or refurbished products where they are suitable and provide reasonable value;
- provide and promote appropriate recycling arrangements;
- dispose of electrical equipment, confidential waste, hazardous materials and other specialist waste through approved routes;
- work to reduce food waste arising from our community café, food activities and events.
Travel
We will:
- avoid unnecessary work-related travel;
- use telephone calls, Microsoft Teams, video meetings and other digital communication where these provide a suitable alternative;
- plan meetings, outreach and service delivery efficiently to reduce avoidable journeys;
- consider lower-emission travel options where these are practical, safe and appropriate;
- review business travel and employee commuting as part of our developing emissions information.
Purchasing and suppliers
We will:
- consider environmental impact when purchasing and commissioning goods and services;
- purchase locally where appropriate to reduce unnecessary transportation and support the local economy;
- avoid unnecessary purchasing and consider whether existing items can be reused, repaired or refurbished;
- consider product lifespan, energy efficiency, packaging, waste and disposal when making significant purchasing decisions;
- encourage suppliers, contractors and delivery partners to reduce their own environmental impact;
- include proportionate environmental expectations in relevant purchasing, partnership and subcontracting arrangements.
Projects and service design
Environmental impact will be considered when we develop, design and deliver services and projects.
This may include:
- making effective use of existing community premises and shared facilities;
- reducing unnecessary travel for staff and people using services;
- using digital communication where this is accessible and appropriate;
- considering local delivery, accessibility and environmental impact together;
- avoiding environmental measures that create unreasonable barriers for disabled people, digitally excluded people or communities experiencing disadvantage.
Staff awareness and participation
We will:
- provide appropriate environmental information through induction, training and internal communication;
- encourage staff and volunteers to use resources responsibly;
- support practical employee-led environmental initiatives;
- communicate significant changes and improvement priorities;
- promote a culture in which environmental responsibility forms part of everyday decision-making.
Measuring and improving our performance
We will improve our understanding of the greenhouse gas emissions associated with our activities and use this information to inform future priorities.
This will include developing proportionate arrangements to:
- identify the principal sources of emissions across our operations;
- gather more reliable information about energy, travel, waste and purchasing;
- establish measurable reduction priorities where sufficient information is available;
- monitor whether environmental actions have been completed and are effective;
- review changes in our premises, services and supply chain that may affect emissions;
- report openly and accurately without overstating our progress.
Our approach will reflect the scale and nature of Future Projects as a local charity while maintaining a clear direction towards Net Zero.
Governance and accountability
The Operations Manager is responsible for coordinating our environmental management arrangements.
Service and department managers are responsible for applying relevant environmental measures within their areas, including premises, purchasing, travel, waste and project delivery.
The Chief Executive Officer and Board of Trustees provide senior oversight of this commitment and our progress towards Net Zero.
This commitment and the supporting Environmental and Sustainable Development Policy will be reviewed at least annually and sooner where there is a significant change in our activities, environmental impact, legal requirements or recognised reporting standards.
Net Zero Target: 2050
Last Reviewed: June 2026
Next Review: Annual – June 2027