Sustainable Development
As part of our sustainability policy, CFO (and CFO Providers) are committed to reducing waste, energy consumption and promoting recycling. We also have a commitment to explore ways of minimising private transport usage and promote the use of public transport across our providers.
Sustainable Development
As part of our sustainability policy, CFO (and CFO Providers) are committed to reducing waste, energy consumption and promoting recycling. We also have a commitment to explore ways of minimising private transport usage and promote the use of public transport across our providers.
CFO and Sustainability
CFO and CFO partners have strong implementation plans to evidence our sustainable practices and ecology projects, all of which contribute to a happier, healthier planet.
These activities and actions have impact on lowering our carbon emissions, reduce our waste and even contribute to better communities and provide participants with positive experiences. Below you will find just some of the many actions being taken across the CFO programmes to improve our sustainability credentials.
If you would like to read our sustainability policy in full, please contact CFO-Communications@justice.gov.uk for the latest version.
Since its inception in 2010 CFO has prevented approximately 87,500 re-offences. This equates to a potential carbon saving of 53,375 tonnes of CO2 based on the average cost of crime.
Consequences of Crime
Manufacturing window/door locks, burglar alarms etc. and replacing stolen items
Carbon associated with Police Cars, Police Stations, collecting evidence and forensic investigation
Carbon associated with hospital admissions as a result of crime, victim support
Carbon associated with prison, probation, courts and administration
This is the equivalent of planting approximately 320,000 trees, gas and electric for one year in 13,300 homes, charging 6.5 billion smartphones or even driving to the moon!
Upcycling and Recycling
The CFO Activity Hub in Peterborough having been working on upcycling projects. Led by a former lifer and a ROTL (Release on Temporary Licence) participant, the team are building birdboxes, drawers and more from upcycled wood and metals.
Some of these projects feature around the Hub as artwork pieces, whilst others have been sold to raise money for local charitable causes. Upcycling and sustainability are key features throughout the Peterborough CFO Activity Hub, with appropriate recycling, a lack of single use materials and even environmentally-friendly coffee available.
All of this helps to reduce impact on our Earth with less landfill coming out of the Hub, whilst allowing participants to give back to their local spaces and understand the benefits of sustainability and recycling.
Office Life
As a collective we are always looking to improve our sustainability performance and have parameters in place to reduce transport emissions, landfill diversion, paper consumption, environmental impact, energy consumption and lower use of single use plastics.
CFO locations are energy efficient spaces, with appropriate recycling and waste management systems and accessible via public transport. CFO staff are aware of their responsibility to contribute to our sustainability goals.
Improving Waterways
The Sheffield CFO Activity Hub have been undertaking a number of sustainable activities, including teaming with local organisations to improve their local environment.
The process started with a wellbeing walk along Sheffield Canal, during which the group noticed a large amount of litter and graffiti along the route. Participants asked whether there was anything they could do to help and soon began litter picking along the canal using equipment donated by the local Probation Community Payback Team.
Participants were thrilled to be giving back to their local area, helping to transform the canal back into an area of natural beauty, and happy to share their achievements with others. During one walk, the team encountered another group trimming hedges along the water – this turned out to be the Canal Trust.
Through this meeting, the CFO Activity Hub and Canal Trust set up an opportunity to work together, with an activity just for Hub participants. The first session involved participants travelling on a floating pontoon, allowing them to reach over to cut back bushes and clear back some of the other greenery which was starting to encroach on the pathway and create a safety hazard. Participants loved this opportunity, feeling it had been a fun activity which helped them all work together to give something back. They also enjoyed getting out in the open air and mentioned improved mood following the session. Tutors even noted their teamwork and sense of pride.
Speaking about the impact it had on him, Henry* said: “It was a great day. I like helping with projects, and I go walking on the Five Weirs walk quite a lot, so it will be great to see my hard work when I’m out walking. I’m going to try and get lots of other people signed up for the next one as I think it will benefit people being outside. I’m nearly 80 – so if I can do it, then anyone can, it’s great that you can work at your pace and skill level too so everyone can join in.”
This activity has tremendous environmental benefits and helps us to work towards our sustainability aims. It reduces environmental impact by helping to clear waterways and local environments and reducing waste in the area by recycling picked litter. Sessions have continued since, becoming a mainstay the Sheffield CFO Activity Hub.