Sustainable Development Policy

HM Revenue and Customs will support and actively contribute to the UK Strategy for Sustainable Development by:

• Integrating sustainable development, as appropriate, into our policies, plans and decisions
• Reviewing and improving our Sustainable Development Action Plan to meet Government objectives and targets
• Taking account of the impact of our decisions and actions on our customers and the environment
• Ensuring our buildings are designed, constructed, refurbished and operated to improve their environmental performance
• Procuring sustainable goods and services
• Preserving energy, and other natural resources through our environmental tax and frontier responsibilities
• Protecting natural habitats and endangered species through frontier controls
• Openly and publicly communicating progress on environmental and social issues to internal and external audiences, responding appropriately to all requests for information

HMRC, working with our staff and suppliers, will:

• Reduce emissions from our buildings through proactive energy monitoring
• Reduce business travel by promotion of video and telephone conferencing
• Minimise waste by reducing and reusing
• Reduce our forms and records and promote more efficient printing procedures
• Reduce emissions from our IT services through the development of a strategic IT energy reduction programme
• Maximise recycling arrangements and provide performance data
• Reduce water consumption in our buildings through audits and improved maintenance
• Raise awareness of sustainable development policy and motivate staff and contractors to operate in an environmentally responsible manner
• Integrate sustainable development priorities firmly into our Corporate Responsibility strategic framework and action plans
• Comply with all environmental legislation and codes of practice

Paul Gray
Permanent Secretary