Our Green Impact

Our Statement of Intent

At a time of ongoing critical assessment as to how the resources of the world are being employed in economic and social activity, it is essential that all involved with Forest Voluntary Action Forum (FVAF) have a clear understanding as to how its work can impact on the environment. We accept responsibility for our actions and commit to working towards reducing any harmful effects it may have on the environment. It is also understood that, as a leader in the Forest of Dean voluntary and community sector, we have a responsibility to manifest best practice.

We will use, as its guiding principles - in order of priority – the need to:

REPAIR

RE-USE

REDUCE

RECYCLE

Our policy describes how FVAF will implement practices that will minimalize the impact of its work on the environment.

FVAF ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY

Gold Award from the GEM NUS-Green Impact challenge

GEM NUS Green Imapct Gold Award Certificate

NUS Green Imapct Community Award Certificate

In our first year taking part in the GEM NUS Green Impact Challenge, we were delighted to achieve a Gold Award.

This UN award winning programme is designed to support and challenge organisations to look at the way they work and ensure that the practices they follow are as environmentally and socially sustainable as possible.

The challenge was set as part of the *GEM Project’s partnership and our joint commitment to living sustainably and minimising our impact on the environment.

Working together as a team, we shared ideas and encouraged lifestyle changes in the following areas:

use of water and energy
travel – work and personal
recycling
reducing and dealing with waste
upcycling, freecycling unused goods
using sustainable products
encouraging biodiversity

Other creative ideas from the team included making bird feeders from broken tree branches, a homemade recipe for a cleaning product, donations to local charity shops.

* The Going the Extra Mile Project (GEM) is an employability and social inclusion project supporting the most disadvantaged communities and individuals furthest from the labour market to find or get closer to employment. It is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund and European Social Fund as part of a national programme Building Better Opportunities.