Sustainability Statement & Roadmap May 2023

The environment focuses on eco-issues such as climate change, particularly the areas that a business depends on. This can range from electricity, heating and lighting, water, supply chains, recycling, office procurement and deliveries, and recycling, reducing, and reusing products and services where possible.

In conjunction with the plans and goals set out by Bradcode for Custodia to follow, here are some of the actions and goals that Bradcode has implemented that have made a difference already.

• Encourage all to switch off electrical equipment and lights when not in use.
• E.oN supplies gas and electricity to the office building.
• Close all windows and doors when the heating is on.
• Minimise the use of electric heaters and fans.
• Promoting and supporting the use of cycling, public footpaths, and public transport
• Encouraging all to use water efficiently on the premises.
• Keep waste to a minimum by preventing, reusing, recycling, or recovering waste.
• Ensure waste is sorted, stored, and disposed of appropriately.
• Reduce the use of single-use plastics on the premises and business events.
• Recycle all recyclable waste generated by the premises and events.
• Promote and encourage recycling across the building.
• Use recyclable, compostable and/or recycled products where possible.
• Reduce the production of non-recyclable resources such as laminated or plastic-based publicity material where possible.
• Minimise the amount of printing and minimise the amount of wastepaper.
• Observe our duty of care conscientiously within our waste contracts.
• Utilise electronic communications with clients rather than on paper.
• Minimise pollution and prevent it where possible (including light, noise, solids, liquids, and chemicals)

Appendix 1 at the end of this report shows some key steps that Harrow Business Centre has taken with regard to reducing the impacts on the environment, such as;

• Installing solar panels on the roof of the building.
• Recycling Boxes are placed on every floor of the building.
• Automatic sensor taps for sinks
• Central printers on each floor.
• Automatic motion sensors for lights and air conditioning on every floor
• Automatic window sensors.
• LED lighting in parts of the building.
• EPC Rating for the Level 3&4 extension of the building = A+, indicating that it has Net zero carbon emissions.

In addition to the above, here are some of the actions and goals that Custodia has implemented that have made a difference already.

• Custodia has run a ‘paperless’ office since 2019. (post is scanned and cross-shredded, client documents are emailed, and documents and correspondence are stored and uploaded online).
• Option of a contactless business card to clients.
• Clients have access to an online portal for shared documents.
• Recycle old equipment where possible.
• Glass or reusable bottles are used to drink water during the day and refill when finished.
• Where possible, Custodia encourages staff to walk or take public transport to meetings and have meetings online with Microsoft Teams, Google Meet & Zoom.
• Reduce mileage by sourcing local suppliers and streamlining deliveries where possible.
• Business banking with Barclays Bank as they have commitments to become a net zero bank by 2050.
• Custodia’s website is green and hosted by Cloudflare.
• Digital note-taking and tasking using Evernote and OneNote by all staff.

Workplace activities encompass the procedures and policies that improve products and services for employees, clients, & customers. This can range from flexible working, cloud document storage, online meetings, reduction paper usage, unsubscribing from emails and not attaching documents to emails, usage of document transfer software (WeTransfer), reductions in travel, green investments and working with sustainable clients and supply chains.

• Custodia uses digital ways of storing data and is a ‘paperless’ office.
• Delete emails & unsubscribe as much as possible.
• Use recycled paper
• Have online meetings wherever possible./li>
• Purchase as little equipment as possible, and if owned by Custodia, keep the equipment maintained and running effectively.
• Promote and support the use of walking or cycling to work and using public footpaths and public transport.
• All laptops and computers are turned off at the end of the working day as well as lights and appliances where applicable.
• Use a flexible approach with clients to work together on the best ways to
  communicate if we can avoid travelling; we will hold Zoom or Microsoft Teams meetings with no weekend working.
• Unsubscribe from emails no longer required, do not attach documents if
  not needed, back up documents and always select paperless options for communications.
• Unwanted documents are cross-shredded or recycled according to
  Bradcode office guidelines.
• Promote and encourage recycling across the building.
• Use recyclable, compostable and/or recycled products where possible.
• Reduce the production of non-recyclable resources such as laminated or plastic-based publicity material where possible.
• Attend webinars and talks at local networking forums and events about sustainable topics.
• Procure recycled paper and research products before purchasing with sustainable options.
• Printer is on standby mode and turned off at night.
• Business banking with Barclays Bank as they have commitments to become a net zero bank by 2050.
• Custodia’s website is green hosted by Cloudflare.
• Digital note-taking and tasking using Evernote and OneNote by all staff.
• Set aside time for employees to volunteer and support local initiatives.

Community focuses on how a business operates with other organisations to improve the quality of life of the people in the local community. How, where, and why a business operates and the areas it supports in its local networks and forums, buying and supporting local businesses, mentoring, networking & memberships.

• Buy or use products & services from local suppliers. (e.g. Accountants)
• Use independent local coffee shops for meetings
• Network locally – Zoco Networking, BNI Hammersmith & Phoenix Networking Group & Asian-Jewish Network.

Philanthropy focuses on donating time and money to good causes and supporting charities through volunteering, donation, or sponsorship. This can also mean pro bono work, donations of money and products, giving back, and free or discounted advice.

Custodia does not have a philanthropy policy but does give back in various ways and is always looking for ways to engage and support locally and build long-term relationships.

• Donate money and support Teenage Cancer Trust = Annual charity walk.
• Give business owners 60 minutes of free time to discuss a problem and see if Custodia can help and advise them before engaging in any services.