Sustainability
AWE recognises that it has a responsibility to contribute to a sustainable future for our employees, the wider community and the environment.
In 2007 AWE produced a corporate sustainability plan called ‘Shaping the Vision’. Following a detailed baseline assessment and benchmarking against our peers, this plan concentrated on four key themes to enable us to make the most impact most quickly. These themes were: climate change and energy; waste management; construction and the built environment; and travel and transport. This plan provided an integrated way of communicating the strategies, plans and objectives that the business had in place to address sustainability issues.
In 2009 we started reviewing our approach and in line with feedback from the MOD, we decided it was necessary to broaden out our focus and approach. We undertook a thorough review of progress made to date against the 2007 plan, our current business requirements, and reviewed a number of sustainability objectives, targets and requirements set by bodies relevant to our organisation such as the government, the MOD, Defence Infrastructure Organisation and the Nuclear Sector Plan. This enabled us to develop a Sustainability Plan for 2010-2030. This structured plan has short term targets and long term vision across 12 key sustainability aspects. These aspects translate our commitment to delivering our mission into responsible, sustainable business management. For more information, please review our Sustainability Plan.
We constantly undertake environmental monitoring to verify that our activities have minimal impact. In addition, we have an accredited Environmental Management System to help us continuously improve our environmental performance. See our Safety and The Environment section for further details.
Our social contribution
We believe we have a duty to give something back to society, through our commitment to our employees and the wider community. AWE consistently ranks highly in employer surveys. AWE employees are permitted time to work in the community taking on roles such as local councillors, magistrates, school governors or special constables. Our Schools Liaison Scheme has links with many local schools and each is championed by a member of our staff. The company has developed a Local Liaison Committee and makes regular donations to many local and national charities, not only through much needed funds but also through giving time and volunteers. For more information see our Working@AWE and Community Relations sections.
Our contribution to the local economy
As a large scale employer, AWE contributes over £300 million each year to the local economy through wages and business contracts and, in turn, we are dependent upon the infrastructure, facilities and services provided by local authorities and the local business community.