Introduction

The earth's environment is facing significant stress due to uncontrolled human activity, endangering our society and the mission of ODC, a leading architecture firm based in Zambia. ODC acknowledges the urgent need to preserve the environmental sustainability of the planet, and we are committed to taking action at all levels of our operations. We aim to minimize our environmental impact, maximize resource efficiency, increase communication and awareness of our efforts, and foster responsible environmental behavior among our staff, volunteers, and users. In addition to complying with applicable laws, we strive to minimize risks and impacts through the development of robust and documented systems to implement, measure, monitor, and disseminate excellent environmental performance both within our operations and to the broader community.

Purpose

The purpose of this Environmental Sustainability Policy is to integrate a philosophy of sustainable development into all our activities and establish and promote sound environmental practices within ODC's operations.

Policy

ODC is committed to minimizing its impact on the environment by:

1. Providing a safe and healthy workplace.

2. Cultivating an environmentally sustainable culture where responsibility is assigned and understood.

3. Being an environmentally responsible neighbor in our community.

4. Conserving natural resources through reuse and recycling.

5. Implementing processes in our operations that do not adversely affect the environment.

6. Ensuring responsible energy use throughout the organization.

7. Participating in efforts to improve environmental protection and understanding.

8. Taking continual steps to improve environmental performance.

9. Conduct rigorous audits, evaluations, and self-assessments to implement and monitor this policy effectively.

10. Working with suppliers who promote sound environmental practices.

11. Enhancing awareness among our employees, volunteers, and users by educating and motivating them to act in an environmentally responsible manner.

Responsibilities

It is the responsibility of the Board to establish and maintain policies and procedures and to bring them into effect. The CEO is accountable for ensuring the implementation of these policies and procedures.

Procedures

ODC will undertake the following procedures to support environmental sustainability:

1. Develop guidelines for staff, volunteers, and users to adopt sound environmental work practices and provide adequate training for their implementation.

2. Act responsibly to correct incidents or conditions that endanger health, safety, or the environment. Prompt reporting of such incidents to relevant authorities and affected parties will be ensured.

3. Make reasonable efforts to reuse, recycle, and purchase recycled materials, as well as use recyclable packaging and other materials.

4. Ensure that our services and products are safe, energy-efficient, protective of the environment, and designed to be reused, recycled, or safely disposed of.

5. Minimize materials and energy use, prevent air, water, and other pollution, and dispose of waste safely and responsibly.

6. Conserve energy by improving energy efficiency and giving preference to renewable over non-renewable energy sources whenever feasible.

7. Utilize our knowledge and experience to contribute to environmentally sustainable techniques, technology, knowledge, and methods. ODC will strive to maintain and increase biodiversity through its land management practices.

8. Meet or exceed all applicable government requirements and voluntary standards observed in our field, while adhering to the more stringent requirements of our own environmental policy.

9. Conduct regular audits and self-assessments to continually improve our environmental management system.

10. Maintain an open and honest dialogue with staff, volunteers, stakeholders, and the public regarding the environmental, health, and safety performance of our operations and services.

11. Ensure that every employee, volunteer, and contractor is informed of and expected to follow this policy. Prompt reporting of any environmental, health, or safety concerns to management will be encouraged for timely action.