Environmental Policy

Policy Statement

Squirrel Energy Group Ltd (Company No. 08349449) and Squirrel Energy Services Ltd (Company No. 12918250) are committed to operating our business in an environmentally responsible manner. We recognise that our activities — the design, supply, and installation of solar photovoltaic, battery storage, and renewable energy systems — have the potential to deliver significant positive environmental outcomes, and we are equally committed to minimising any negative environmental impacts arising from our own operations.

This policy is aligned with the requirements of ISO 14001:2015 (Environmental Management Systems) and reflects our commitment to continual improvement in environmental performance. It applies to all employees, sub-contractors, and suppliers acting on our behalf.

1. Scope and Context

This policy covers all activities carried out by Squirrel Energy, including:

• Office-based operations at our registered premises in Padiham, Lancashire.
• Site surveys, design, and project management activities.
• Installation of solar PV, battery storage, in-roof solar, and associated electrical systems.
• Procurement of equipment, materials, and sub-contracted services.
• Vehicle use and travel associated with our operations.

We have identified the following as the principal environmental aspects of our operations: vehicle emissions, waste generation (packaging, electrical components, and construction materials), energy consumption at our premises, and the environmental credentials of our supply chain.

2. Our Environmental Commitments

We commit to:

• Comply with all applicable environmental legislation, regulations, and other requirements to which we subscribe, including the Environmental Protection Act 1990, the Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011, and any relevant local authority requirements.
• Prevent pollution and minimise the risk of environmental incidents arising from our activities, including the safe handling and disposal of electrical waste and construction materials.
• Reduce waste generated by our operations, prioritising reuse and recycling over disposal to landfill. All waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is disposed of through approved routes.
• Reduce our carbon footprint by optimising vehicle routes, encouraging efficient driving practices, and considering lower-emission vehicles as our fleet is renewed.
• Reduce energy consumption at our premises through efficient use of heating, lighting, and equipment, and by considering renewable energy options for our own facilities.
• Engage our supply chain by giving preference to suppliers who demonstrate strong environmental credentials and by encouraging responsible environmental practices throughout our procurement process.
• Protect biodiversity and the natural environment on and around installation sites, taking care to avoid unnecessary disturbance to habitats, wildlife, and drainage.
• Communicate openly with customers, employees, and stakeholders about our environmental performance and objectives.

3. Legal and Other Requirements

We maintain an up-to-date register of applicable environmental legislation and other requirements. Key legislation relevant to our operations includes:

• Environmental Protection Act 1990
• Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011
• Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations 2013
• Hazardous Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2005
• Control of Pollution Act 1974 (noise and dust during installation)
• Environment Act 2021 (biodiversity net gain obligations)
• Climate Change Act 2008 (UK net zero framework)

We evaluate compliance with applicable requirements at least annually and take prompt corrective action where any non-compliance is identified.

4. Environmental Objectives and Targets

In support of this policy, we set measurable environmental objectives and targets which are reviewed annually. Current objectives include:

• Waste reduction — achieve a recycling or reuse rate of at least 80% of installation waste (by weight) by the end of the current financial year.
• Vehicle emissions — reduce average CO₂ emissions per installation visit year-on-year through route optimisation and fleet renewal planning.
• Packaging — work with suppliers to reduce single-use plastic packaging associated with delivered components.
• Supply chain — include environmental criteria in the assessment of all new principal suppliers.

Progress against objectives is monitored by senior management and reported at our annual management review.

5. Roles and Responsibilities

• Directors are responsible for approving this policy, allocating resources, and ensuring that environmental management is integrated into business decision-making.
• Managers and supervisors are responsible for implementing this policy within their areas of responsibility, monitoring environmental performance on site, and reporting any environmental incidents or near misses.
• All employees and sub-contractors are responsible for understanding and complying with this policy, segregating waste correctly, and reporting any environmental concerns to their supervisor.

6. Training and Awareness

We ensure that all employees and relevant sub-contractors receive appropriate environmental awareness training as part of their induction and on an ongoing basis. This includes:

• The environmental impacts associated with our activities.
• Correct waste segregation and disposal procedures.
• How to respond to and report environmental incidents.
• The importance of this policy and their individual contribution to our environmental objectives.

7. Emergency Preparedness and Response

We maintain procedures for identifying and responding to potential environmental emergencies, including accidental spillage of hazardous materials (such as battery electrolyte) and uncontrolled waste disposal. All environmental incidents are investigated, and corrective actions are implemented and recorded.

8. Monitoring and Measurement

We monitor and measure key environmental performance indicators on a regular basis, including waste volumes and disposal routes, vehicle mileage and fuel consumption, and energy use at our premises. Results are reviewed by senior management at least annually to assess progress against our objectives and to identify opportunities for improvement.

9. Continual Improvement

We are committed to the continual improvement of our environmental management system and environmental performance. This policy and our associated objectives are reviewed at least annually and updated to reflect changes in our operations, applicable legislation, or stakeholder expectations.

10. Communication

This policy is communicated to all employees and sub-contractors and is available to customers, suppliers, and other interested parties on our website. We welcome feedback on our environmental performance and encourage all stakeholders to raise any concerns with us at [email protected].