Written by Joanne Hughes, Policy & Compliance Specialist at Policy Pros
Last reviewed:
Environmental Policy Writers
What Are Environmental Policies?
Environmental policies outline how organisations manage their activities to minimise negative impacts on the environment and promote sustainable practices. They are increasingly important as both regulatory expectations and stakeholder demands around environmental performance continue to grow.
Organisations have a responsibility to operate in a way that protects natural resources, reduces pollution and supports long-term sustainability. A clear policy demonstrates commitment to environmental stewardship, regulatory compliance and corporate social responsibility. It also provides the foundation for more detailed environmental management systems and sustainability policies.
The UK Environmental Legal Framework
Environmental regulation in the UK is governed by a substantial body of legislation. The most significant pieces of primary legislation include:
The Environmental Protection Act 1990 (EPA 1990) remains a cornerstone of UK environmental law. It establishes the framework for waste management, including the duty of care for waste, controls on statutory nuisances, and the regulation of contaminated land. Part II of the Act imposes a duty of care on anyone who produces, imports, keeps, stores, transports, treats or disposes of controlled waste, requiring them to take all reasonable steps to ensure that waste is managed properly and does not escape from their control.
The Environment Act 2021 represents the most significant development in UK environmental law in recent years. It establishes a new framework for environmental governance following the UK's departure from the European Union, including the creation of the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) as an independent body to scrutinise environmental law and investigate complaints. The Act sets legally binding targets for air quality, water, biodiversity and waste reduction, and introduces the requirement for biodiversity net gain in the planning system.
Waste Duty of Care
The waste duty of care, established under Section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, requires all businesses that produce, carry, keep, treat or dispose of waste to take all reasonable measures to ensure that waste is managed properly. This includes ensuring that waste is transferred only to an authorised person, that it is adequately described using waste transfer notes, and that it is stored securely to prevent it from escaping or causing pollution.
Failure to comply with the waste duty of care can result in prosecution and unlimited fines. Organisations should ensure that their environmental policy clearly sets out the procedures for waste management, including the classification of waste, the selection and oversight of waste carriers and disposal facilities, and the retention of waste transfer documentation.
Emissions Reporting and SECR
The Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) regulations require qualifying UK companies to report on their energy use and carbon emissions as part of their annual directors' report. The regulations apply to quoted companies, large unquoted companies and large limited liability partnerships that meet certain thresholds (at least 250 employees, an annual turnover exceeding 36 million pounds, or an annual balance sheet total exceeding 18 million pounds).
SECR reports must include the organisation's UK energy use, associated greenhouse gas emissions, an intensity ratio, and a description of the energy efficiency measures taken during the reporting year. For quoted companies, the requirement extends to global energy use and emissions. Organisations should ensure that their environmental policy addresses their approach to energy management and emissions reporting, and that appropriate systems are in place to collect and verify the necessary data.
Net Zero Commitments and ISO 14001
An increasing number of UK organisations are making voluntary commitments to achieve net zero carbon emissions by a specified date, in line with the UK Government's legally binding target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. A credible net zero strategy requires a clear baseline of current emissions, science-based reduction targets, a plan for reducing emissions across Scopes 1, 2 and 3, and a transparent approach to any residual emissions that cannot be eliminated.
The international standard ISO 14001 provides a framework for establishing, implementing, maintaining and continually improving an environmental management system (EMS). While certification to ISO 14001 is voluntary, it is widely recognised as evidence of an organisation's commitment to environmental management and can provide a competitive advantage in procurement and tendering processes. An environmental policy is a mandatory requirement of ISO 14001, and it must include commitments to the protection of the environment, compliance with legal and other requirements, and continual improvement of the EMS.
Biodiversity Net Gain
The Environment Act 2021 introduced a requirement for biodiversity net gain (BNG) in the planning system in England. From November 2023, most new developments are required to deliver a minimum 10 per cent biodiversity net gain, meaning that the natural environment must be left in a measurably better state than before the development. This requirement applies to both major and minor developments and is measured using the Defra biodiversity metric.
Organisations involved in land development, construction or infrastructure projects should ensure that their environmental policies address their approach to biodiversity and that appropriate processes are in place to assess and deliver biodiversity net gain as part of their project planning and delivery.
What Do Environmental Policies Cover?
An environmental policy typically includes:
A statement of commitment to reducing environmental impact
Compliance with environmental laws, regulations and standards
Procedures for managing energy, water and resource use efficiently
Waste reduction, recycling and sustainable disposal practices
Measures to prevent pollution and reduce emissions
Consideration of sustainability in procurement and supply chains
Employee training and awareness on environmental responsibilities
Monitoring and reporting of environmental performance and targets
Links to health and safety, sustainability, procurement and risk management policies
By embedding environmental considerations into daily operations, organisations can reduce risks, improve efficiency, and demonstrate leadership in sustainability. This builds trust with customers, communities and regulators while contributing to long-term resilience. Explore our ESG documentation services to see how we can support your wider environmental, social and governance objectives.
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We offer a wide-ranging selection of professionally developed workplace policies, designed to meet the practical and legal needs of your organisation. Our service gives you the flexibility to choose from standard, customised, or fully bespoke documents that align with your business goals, sector requirements, and operational style.
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Creation of clear, practical policies that reflect current legislation, best practice, and your organisation's values.
Review and Gap Analysis
A thorough review of your existing policies to identify areas for improvement and ensure they remain compliant and effective.
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All documents are written in accessible language and adapted to suit your company's size, culture, and ways of working.
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Guidance to help you introduce and embed policies across your organisation so they are understood and applied confidently by all staff.
