MARKETPLACE

As sustainability consultants we can have a huge influence on the way in which major development and construction projects are carried out and upon the way in which large organisations make key decisions. It is our intention to continue to influence the delivery of projects so that they achieve more sustainable outcomes – environmentally, socially and economically.

To do this we work collaboratively with some of the major constructors and developers in the United Kingdom. Naturally we are excited to work with new clients and to share our vision of the impact intelligent project delivery can make upon local communities and the environment.

In the public sector, we continue to exert influence far beyond our size. Our work for the Northwest Development Agency, to create a sustainable buildings policy for the region, is now having a massive influence on development in the region as well as influencing the strategic approach elsewhere.

We are also very proud of Val Chinn’s role for the Commission for a Sustainable London 2012 – helping to influence a sustainable legacy for the community, from the Olympics.

Although we are a small consultancy we also recognise that we ourselves can have an influence on sustainability through the way in which we choose the firms we do business with. Our natural instincts are to look for suppliers who are:

• Small
• Local
• Social enterprises
• Ethical
• Environmentally aware
• Or who show a good cultural fit with ourselves and make good partners

So these are the criteria that our procurement policy stands by. Our recycling firm is a social enterprise. Our stationary supplier and art supplier are both SMEs and as we said, we are about to have our own art commissioned from a third sector community support group. Our food shopping is done at Ocado – the supermarket with the best CSR report we have read. And both our new print company (for our internal printing) and our new cleaners are environmentally friendly co-operatives. We are also about to change to a 100% renewable electricity supplier.

The F2 Foundation, as we have already mentioned, aims to make an impact on the wider community through its activities and through influence on the sustainable debate.

Due to our values: Bravery, Wisdom, Integrity and Love, and the fact that as a small company with a strong ethos, its has always been important to work with organisations who share our commitment to delivering high levels of social, economic and environmental outcomes, we’re always looking for new opportunities to improve the impact we have.

We are only a small company with an administrative staff of 1 - a good proportion of her time is dedicated to improving the sustainable outcomes we achieve through our supply chain choices and in educating and informing the rest of the team. Whilst we still have a way to go to completely transform our supply chain we strive to do this as and when the time arrives to re-assess a particular contract, the points above are the most significant factors in our choices.

 

SAINTS and SINNERS

Saint:
Stuart Morris for attaining his Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment affiliation

Sinner:
Katie McHugh for not wearing her fluorescent Fire Warden’s jacket during the last fire drill

Saint:
Jason True for having written up and sent round an in-depth paper on his learning from a conference he attended

Sinner:
Catherine Grayson for always wanting the blinds down and stopping all the natural light from entering the office

Sinner:
The sunshine for being too bright and making Catherine Grayson want the blinds down

Saints:
Unknown, numerous – F2 team members who wash out the milk cartons before putting them into the recycling so Katie doesn’t end up retching when emptying the recycling bins – rotten milk is quite possibly the worst smell there is.

Saint:
Jon Wilcox for admitting he didn’t wash out a milk carton

Sinner:
The milk man for not bringing us our milk in glass bottles and not really seeming to care – so let’s keep on washing those cartons everyone!