EMES Sustainability Policy
In 2022 EMES agreed a Sustainability Policy and at our Annual Meeting in 2025 this policy was reaffirmed.
Part of minute: EMES/AM 2022/09: EMES Sustainability Policy
While some Friends would like us to be more radical, we agree to adopt the policy, recognising that it is a good starting point. We ask the Executive Committee to continually monitor the implementation of this policy and we will allow time at each Annual Meeting for us to reflect on where we all are in relation to the policy.
We agree to revise the policy after three years.
Part of minute: EMES/AM 2025/12: EMES Sustainability Policy Review
We agree to continue with the current policy, and to review again after 3 years.
We ask the Executive Committee to consider how to strengthen our implementation of the policy (eg by offering vegan rather than vegetarian food at events) and to consider how we can encourage friends across the section to continue to engage with these issues.
Onsetting EMES travel carbon footprint
Each year as part of our sustainability work, EMES calculates the carbon footprint of staff and roleholder travel and makes an contribution to the FWCC World Office Climate Emergency Fund to ‘onset’ this footprint. We encourage meetings and individual Friends to do the same.
Appendix to EMES Sustainability Policy
The following list of links is provided to Friends as an aid to making more environmentally friendly choices. If you have suggestions of articles or websites to add to this list please contact Julia Walloch.
Sustainability statements, personal reflections and timeline
The FWCC offers a timeline and links to various statements on sustainability, including areas of work Quakers are considering worldwide. Visit the World Office page here
Executive Committee member Annie Janssen reflects on her journey across Europe by train for EMES. (This article was also published in our Autumn 2022 special issue of Among Friends focussing on sustainability.)
Travel & Booking
The Man in Seat Sixty-One advice about train travel around Europe and further afield
Trainline – timetables and booking for trains across Europe
German Railways – for journeys in Germany and internationally such as Prague, Budapest, Warsaw etc.
SNCF – journeys in France and international such as Munich, Geneva
Eurostar – journeys between London, Brussels, Paris, Amsterdam, Cologne etc.
Food
A vegetarian diet is better for the environment The Vegetarian Society
Saving of Resources
Is digital really greener than paper? Guardian newspaper article
What’s the carbon footprint of the internet? Guardian newspaper article
What’s the Environmental Cost of the Internet? 6 Ways You Can Cut Your Webprint article on The Bubble
How can you reduce your digital carbon footprint? blog post from British company Good Energy
Offsetting
Carbon offset guide
Climate Stewards
