As a leading cultural heritage organisation, Wessex Archaeology is committed to protecting and enhancing the value of the historic environment, meeting the needs of the present without compromising those of the future.
Sustainability at Wessex Archaeology – Message from our CEO, Chris Brayne
The Sustainability Strategy has been developed in the context of the increasing climate emergency, the drive towards Net Zero, and the emerging worldwide consensus that the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development be adopted as the blueprint for future peace and prosperity.
Sustainable Development, and the attendant SDGs, provides a value framework and common language to identify and articulate the benefits Cultural Heritage can deliver, and one which is understood and accepted by governments, industry and stakeholder groups worldwide.
This strategy provides a remit to achieve the required evidenced, measured reduction in our environmental impacts, and to delivering an enhanced appreciation of our work as a key part of Sustainable Development. It ensures that public benefit is at the heart of our business, to deliver meaningful value to the clients and communities that we serve.
- Accelerate reduction of our carbon footprint to meet net-zero by 2030
The UK’s 2050 net zero commitment is our legal obligation. However, to match our ambitions and reap the benefits of proactivity, Wessex Archaeology aim to lead the sector with a target of operational net-zero by 2030. The iterative process will begin with a review of operations and supply chain, benchmarking and measuring our current carbon emissions, with a revised Environmental Policy and Environmental Plan in place by Q2 of 2022.
- Lead the sector in delivering Cultural Heritage value as part of Sustainable Development
Wessex Archaeology will actively pursue opportunities to research and develop the role of our work within Sustainable Development, build key connections within clients and industry, and work with them to understand and develop ways in which we can most effectively help deliver their sustainability ambitions via the leveraging of Cultural Heritage value. Wessex Archaeology will also continue to collaborate with selected Historic Environment partners to continue momentum and ensure sector wide improvements.
- Establish governance to embed our approach to sustainability throughout our operations
Responsibility for delivering a sustainable future rests with everyone at Wessex Archaeology. However, to assure accountability, set goals, and measure progress, they will put in place clear governance to drive this Strategy through all parts of our business, and deliver revised and robust new policies and procedures and a regular review and reporting process by 2022. Responsibility for the governance of this process will rest with our Executive Management Team.
