Home / About Us / Our Sustainability PrinciplesIntroductionThe Irish Planning Institute’s mission is to advance planning in the interest of the common good by serving, improving and promoting the planning profession. Focusing on sustainability and addressing the climate and biodiversity crises are essential to planning practice and achieving our mission in the interest of the common good.The Institute’s Statement of Strategic Priorities 2023–2027 includes a commitment to organisational excellence and an action to increase the emphasis on climate action and sustainability across the organisation.In support of this, following a review of our activities, the Institute’s Council have agreed the following sustainability principles which will be embedded at all levels of the organisation across all areas of our operations.Sustainability PrinciplesTimescaleSustainability in Education and Professional Development1. Use research, member knowledge and experience to provide guidance and standards for the sector Ongoing2. Promote and deliver sustainability-, biodiversity- and climate-focused learning in revised education guidelines and CPD policy Ongoing3. Further support branch activity to ensure access to locally organised and held events reducing travel requirements for attendees Ongoing4. Continue to offer hybrid and virtual events in circumstances where in-person relationship building and networking are not essential Ongoing5. Continue to prioritise meeting and event locations with easy access to public transport options and adopt greater use of surveys at events to determine the distance travelled and the mode used by delegates OngoingSustainability in our Operations6. When selecting paid venues, preference should be given to those showing good practice towards energy, water and waste, accessibility, catering and resource use (e.g. no single use materials) Ongoing7. Give particular attention to reducing food waste at our events, noting that this will require a commitment from delegates to give adequate notice if they cannot attend events or will be leaving before lunches etc. Ongoing8. Focus on the circularity and sustainability of merchandise or other collateral produced by the Institute and reduce give-aways, with future give-aways focusing mainly on students Ongoing9. Reduce printing and paper use and focus on recyclable materials and avoiding single use products wherever possible Ongoing10. Adopt a digital first approach to publications Ongoing 11. Regarding in person or hybrid events, name badges should be made from recycled material (e.g. plastic or paper) and reused wherever possible Ongoing12. Keep our expenses policy under review to ensure that climate impact is considered and encourage the use of public transport and active travel wherever possible, including promoting the 8 cent per km civil service rate available for business travel by bicycle in expenses claims Ongoing13. Keep our procedures under review to ensure that the climate impact of suppliers and environmental best practice is considered – this can be achieved by choosing low-carbon products or services, locally sourced where possible, and choosing suppliers which are reducing their own Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions Ongoing14. Promote access to the Cycle to Work scheme for employees Ongoing15. Reduce our digital carbon footprint through proactive records management Ongoing16. Ensure work practices for employees support emissions reductions Ongoing17. Offset all business flight emissions Ongoing18. When considering future workspace requirements have regard to GHG emissions from offices and shared spaces and access to active travel facilities alongside any necessary investment in ICT to ensure hybrid meetings in the office maximise participation for online participants OngoingSustainability in Leadership and Management19. Any investments by the Institute will align with ethical and responsible investment and environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations Ongoing20. Continue to engage with members on their priorities for sustainability in the Institute’s operations and activities Ongoing21. Develop a Sustainability and Climate Action Working Group 202522. Meet any future sustainability reporting requirements Ongoing23. Consider how the Institute is represented at external events and meetings to account for multiple representatives attending the same event Ongoing