Sustainability policy

Libraries Rising is committed to minimising the environmental impact of our operations.  

As a new charity we are ambitious about designing organisational practices and approaches that are environmentally conscious and fit for a future. We will ensure our planet and climate justice is embedded from the start.  

As a national Investment Principles Support Organisation for children and young people’s library services, we recognise our responsibility to amplify the views of children and young people, spotlight inequality and promote best environmental practice across the sector and to lead by example. 

We commit to: 

1. Reduce our consumption of resources and ensure that the resources we use are used in an environmentally efficient manner.  
2. Monitor our carbon footprint and take action to reduce it. 
3. Operate in a way that reduces pollution. 
4. Consider environmental issues and energy performance when working in physical premises. 
5. Avoid unnecessary travel and prioritise use of public transportation. 
6. Comply as a minimum with all environmental legislation. 
7. Integrate environmental best practice across our charity. 
8. Procure ethically, placing value on contractors who operate in an environmentally friendly way.  
9. Promote environmentally friendly practice across our network of members, children and young people, and partners.  
10. Amplify children and young people’s voices in this arena, ensuring they’re at the heart of discussion, policymaking and practice. 

To meet these commitments, we will: 

1. Review our carbon footprint on an annual basis using the Julie’s Bicycle tools.  
2. Set environmental targets (relating to operations and travel) and monitor annually. 
3. Provide the Board of Trustees with oversight of our environmental activities via an annual report.  
4. Engage with key stakeholders to communicate our environmental commitments and promote better environmental practice.  
5. Renew the activity in our environmental action plan annually.  
6. Work with the Youth Engagement Network to amplify their voices and give them the power to shape library sector policy and practice.