Our Environment Statement & Strategy

04.06.25 | News

At We Are Survivors, our commitment to the environment is at the heart of everything we do. We believe that safeguarding our planet’s natural resources, ecosystems, and biodiversity is our responsibility and our duty. Our mission extends beyond our immediate charitable goals as we strive to incorporate sustainable practices into our operations, advocate for environmental conservation, and inspire those we serve to join us in this vital cause.

Our Environmental Principles:

Sustainability: We prioritise sustainability in our operations, projects, and campaigns. From reducing waste to choosing eco-friendly materials, we take tangible steps to minimise our environmental footprint.

Conservation: Our efforts include supporting conservation projects that protect endangered species, restore habitats, and preserve natural resources. Through education and advocacy, we empower communities to participate in conservation efforts.

Climate Action: Recognising the urgent need to combat climate change, we implement and support initiatives aimed at reducing carbon emissions, enhancing green spaces, and promoting renewable energy sources.

Responsible Sourcing: We ensure that all products and services procured align with our environmental values, opting for ethical, sustainable, and local sources whenever possible.

Awareness and Education: We are committed to raising awareness about environmental issues and providing education on sustainable living practices. Through our outreach programs, we inspire individuals and communities to make eco-friendly choices.

Our Commitment to Action:

– Adopting green practices in our offices, such as recycling, energy efficiency, and sustainable procurement.

– Regularly reviewing and updating our environmental policy to reflect the latest best practices and scientific understandings.

– Engaging our stakeholders – including donors, volunteers, and partners – in our environmental mission and encouraging them to adopt sustainable practices.

– Participating in and supporting environmental campaigns and events that align with our conservation, sustainability, and climate action goals.

– Monitor and evaluate the environmental impact of our projects and operations, setting clear objectives for improvement.

– Reviewing The Global Goals from the United Nations, which were set out In 2015, 193 world leaders agreed on the #GlobalGoals, a game plan to change the world by 2030. In 2024, the world is only 15% on track of these Goals.

– There are big things the world and its leaders can do to achieve the Goals in the second half of the plan and we aim to add our voice and actions to help.

– We know as a small to medium charity, this is a big task and that some our outside of our reach, but we aim to support the Goals in any way we can,

– No Poverty –Actively work with and promote local No Poverty organisations and support our own staff to volunteer with them.

– Zero Hunger – Commitment to using local in-season food, meat-free, reduce and map our food waste.

– Good Health and Well-Being – We Are Survivors’ mission, vision, and values are core to this goal.

• outside of what we are doing for male survivors
• reduce mortality from non-communicable diseases and promote mental health
• access to sexual health packs, reproductive care, and education for our stakeholders
• Support the provision of open health clinics for men to have better access to our hub and spoke sites.
• Education on prevention and support of substance abuse or relapses
• Quality Education – We Are Survivors aims to provide education, training and awareness raising campaigns around the issue of the sexual abuse and violation of males of all ages and backgrounds, whilst continuing to learn from our work and respond effectively to new knowledge and identified needs.
• Gender Equality – We have closed the gap for opening roles to equal pay, promotion of female roles (supervisors, women in leadership work groups), sharing domestic responsibilities. Proud supporter of the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter to help to achieve the vision by supporting our employees in improving our employment standards through the framework of the charter
• Clean Water and Sanitation – Actively support local charities to make a difference with our water systems and support our staff to volunteer in projects within Greater Manchester.
• Affordable and Clean Energy – Petition landlords to add greener energy suppliers for office park, solar panels on roofs to provide cleaner energy for units.
• Decent Work and Economic Growth – We Are Survivors is an accredited Real living wage and hour employer. We promote and support the ending of modern slavery, trafficking and child labour through safer recruitment. We have committed to only employing qualified staff for protective roles. We have also committed to responsible sourcing.
• Industry, innovation and Infrastructure – Creation of the hubs to reduce travel and promote better local communities (infrastructure)
• Reduced Inequalities – We Are Survivors offer is the foundation of reducing the inequalities for male survivors. Each staff member has a thematic leadership in place that supports and addresses the reduction of inequities.
• Sustainable Cities and Communities –We aim to have a reduction in travel for clients and staff with the development of spoke sites. They will be based in other local services to support their income generation and make use of spaces in a green way.  We also wish to develop the creation of green space such as survivors gardens.  We also support twined toilets to help fund a project teaching communities about hygiene and supplying sustainable resources for families to build their own toilets
• Responsible Consumption and Production – Commit to using local in-season food, meat-free, reduce and map our food waste. Better buying of products, use of sustainable items
• Climate Action—Buy eco-friendly products and check to see if they are produced in an eco-friendly way. Greater promotion of the Bike scheme to increase staff travel. We have moved to paperless impact (only print if you need to), Offset your carbon emissions.
• Life Below Water—Support local charities to make a difference, such as volunteering for a cleanup project. Choose a green water supplier.
• Life on Land – We have reduced our use of paper. Avoid printing and substitute it with electronic devices, commitment to not buying products tested on animals. Improved recycling and encouraged staff to take part in a cleanup project as part of volunteer time.
• Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions—We Are Survivors’ mission, vision, and values are the bedrock of this commitment.
• Partnerships for Goals—Support exports by buying products from developing countries. Pay attention to the Fair-Trade label on products, which helps to indicate that they are produced by local producers in developing countries.

Moving Forward:

At We Are Survivors, we understand that the fight for environmental preservation is ongoing and that it requires the collective action of individuals, organisations, and governments worldwide. We remain dedicated to doing our part and are ever mindful of the legacy we leave for future generations. Together, we can make a difference for our planet.

Environment Strategy for We Are Survivors

The Sustainable Development Strategy outlines a comprehensive approach for integrating sustainability into all aspects of an organisation’s operations and impact spheres. This strategy aims to reduce harm and create positive contributions to the environment, society, and the economy. Here’s an outline tailored around the previous Environmental Statement:

Introduction

Establish the importance of sustainability within the global and organisational context. Refer to the commitment outlined in the Environmental Statement, reinforcing the dedication to safeguarding natural resources, ecosystems, and biodiversity and promoting sustainable practices.

Vision and Goals

Articulate a clear vision for sustainability that aligns with the organisation’s mission, vision and values. Set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals that aim to:

Minimise the organisation’s negative impact on its environmental footprint using sustainable solutions.

Support local conservation efforts and biodiversity protection.

Advocate for and implement climate action initiatives.

Foster awareness, education, and engagement in sustainability matters.

Key Focus Areas

Operations and Management: Implement green practices in all operational sites, such as energy efficiency, waste reduction, and sustainable procurement. Conduct regular environmental audits to monitor and improve practices.

Products and Services: Ensure that all procurement and purchasing adhere to the highest environmental sustainability standards and ethical responsibility.

Partnerships and Community Engagement: Collaborate with other organisations, communities, and stakeholders to amplify the impact of local sustainability efforts. Engage in partnerships that promote environmental education and advocacy.

Conservation and Biodiversity: Actively participate in and support local projects dedicated to conserving natural habitats and endangered species, reinforcing the importance of biodiversity.

Climate Action: Develop and support local and global initiatives that reduce carbon emissions, use renewable energy, and enhance green spaces.

Implementation Plan

Detail actionable steps for each focus area, including timelines, responsible parties, and required resources. Illustrate how the organisation intends to integrate sustainability into its day-to-day operations and decision-making processes.

Monitoring and Evaluation

Establish clear metrics and indicators for evaluating the progress and impact of sustainability efforts. Conduct regular reviews and audits to assess practices, adapting strategies based on performance and external developments.

Stakeholder Engagement

Outline strategies for involving stakeholders in our sustainability journey. This may include communication plans, educational programs, and opportunities for stakeholders to contribute to sustainability initiatives.

Policy and Compliance

Ensure compliance with relevant environmental legislation, regulations and standards. Continuously update policies to reflect new scientific knowledge, best practices, and regulatory requirements.

Conclusion

Reiterate the organisation’s commitment to driving positive change through its sustainable development strategy.

Emphasise the role of collective action and the importance of ongoing dedication to environmental stewardship, societal well-being, and economic viability.

By profoundly integrating sustainability into the fabric of its operations and ethos, the organisation not only furthers its environmental objectives but also sets a precedent for responsible and forward-thinking practices across its broader community.