Shaftesbury Refugee Group 

Environment and Sustainability Policy

Introduction

Shaftesbury Refugee Group gives assistance and support for the needs of refugees and displaced people in Shaftesbury, Gillingham, Motcombe, and the adjacent villages and towns. 

Our area is outstanding in terms of its diverse flora and fauna and its relatively clean water, air and land and as such provides a healthy environment in which displaced people can thrive

We provide refugees, displaced people, and their sponsors with practical advice,  a point of contact with the local community and links to other services. 

The advice we offer has to take account of the needs of displaced people, the community they have joined and the environment in which we all live.  Our advice therefore does not promote the unsustainable use of resources and steers people away from neglecting our environment.

We offer befriending services, encourage social inclusion and provide targeted financial support to assist beneficiaries to become self-sufficient in their day-to-day activities in UK

People’s empathy and respect for each other is correlated with their respect for the environment that we all share. We intend to model through our work and service a way of caring for each other and our shared world that is sustainable into the future that our children will live in.

Statement of intent

The Shaftesbury Refugee Group (SRG) is committed to ensuring, so far as is reasonably practical, that our activity does not have a negative impact on the local or wider environment nor does it consume the resources of our shared world in an unsustainable way. We will do this through the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Dorset Council Environmental Policy.

Sustainable Development Goals

Our policy is to act to support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and related targets wherever we can. At this time we believe we can make a contribution through our work as Shaftesbury Refugee Group to a number of SDGs

SDG 1 End Poverty for everyone, everywhere

Target 1.4 We will work to ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership and control over land and other forms of property, appropriate new technology and financial services, including microfinance

Target 1.5 We will work to build the resilience of the poor and those in vulnerable situations and reduce their vulnerability to economic, social and environmental shocks and disasters.

SDG 4 Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

Targets 4.1 to 4.5    We work to make education accessible and relevant to refugees and displaced people, supporting the education of children from a young age and the continued education of the adults they depend upon, irrespective of age or gender or any other protected characteristic.

SDG 5 Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

Target 5.5 The way we work aims for women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for their leadership at all levels of decision-making

Target 5.b We will make use of enabling technology, in particular information and communications technology, to promote the empowerment of women

SDG 10 Reduce inequality within and among countries

Target 10.7 Our charity facilitates the orderly, safe, and responsible migration and mobility of people.

SDG 11 Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

Target 11.2 Given our rural isolation we will provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport for people displaced to our area, in particular by promoting sustainable transport and public transport.

SDG 16 Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels

Target 16.10 We will work to give public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements

Dorset Council Environmental Policy

Our policy is to act to support the Dorset Environmental Policy wherever we can. At this time we believe we can make a contribution through our work as Shaftesbury Refugee Group to the following objectives of that policy:

Objectives

  • To use energy and water resources efficiently 

  • To reduce waste to a minimum and to reuse and recycle materials to the maximum

  • To avoid and reduce air, land, water, noise and light pollution  

  • To protect and enhance wildlife and the natural environment 

  • To reduce the impacts from our provision and use of transport 

  • To avoid and reduce our overall carbon emissions  

  • To ensure the best possible environmental practices in the way we buy goods and  services and encourage our suppliers to do the same 

  • To comply with all relevant environmental legislation now and in the future  

Who does the Policy apply to?

The current Trustees of Shaftesbury Refugee Group and the members of the charity, our volunteers and those we support.

What if the Policy is not being adhered to?

Members should raise the matter directly to the Trustees via the Secretary or Chair.