Environment Agency for Wales
Business name: Environment Agency Wales
Location: All Wales
Business: Environmental protection agency
Environment Agency Wales is the largest organisation so far to adopt a Fair Trade policy for their workplace. 1100 staff across Environment Agency Wales’s offices enjoy Fair Trade refreshments at work.
The agency has responsibility for protecting and improving the environment in Wales for present and future generations. This includes managing flood risk, dealing with pollution incidents, reducing industry’s impacts on the environment, cleaning up rivers, coastal waters and contaminated land, and improving wildlife habitats.
How are staff involved?
Staff involvement is strong with champions at each office. They have hosted talks from Fair Trade producers and held quizzes and cake sales, raising funds for the Fairtrade Foundation. Campaigns and Internal Communications Manager, Kira Hutchinson said “Staff have really embraced Fair Trade and this has helped raise awareness and change their personal shopping habits.”
How did you implement the policy?
The process took around a year to implement to work through existing contracts and fair trade is now part of the procurement policy.
How does this fit with the businesses values?
“Fair Trade farming methods generally have a light carbon footprint, which is a key concern for us”, says Kira.
Contact Kira Hutchinson
www.environment-agency.gov.uk/regions/wales/
