Environmental Policy

Istidam prioritises considerations of environmental impact on every project. As an engineering consultancy, we control the carbon emissions of our operations and significantly influence the construction projects we are involved in. Istidam complies with the framework set out in ISO 14001: 2015 and operates under a certified integrated environmental management system.

We collaborate with clients, professionals, and contractors to design structures with low embodied carbon and environmental impact. We actively seek:

• Sustainable Materials: we specify and reuse sustainable and renewable materials whenever possible and viable for projects.
• Reduced Carbon Footprint:  We explore all viable options including challenging the brief whilst meeting client requirements and desires, optimising the quantity of construction material required, and exploring specifications for material reuse and new innovative sustainable construction material alternatives.
• Resource Efficiency: We promote alternative sustainable solutions and actively specify them on projects. One example is our achieved specialisation in FRP reinforcement for reinforced concrete in compliance with current national design standards which reduce strain on precious natural resources such as steel and concrete.
• Continuous Improvement: Istidam is committed to the integration of environmental management practices into all business decisions. We also strive for constant improvement in:

1. Design: Reduction of embodied emissions of construction material we specify
2. Sustainable Procurement: Using sustainable goods and services whenever possible.
3. Performance measurement: Regularly evaluating and improving our environmental and net zero carbon performance.
4. Fostering a Culture of Sustainability: Embedding sustainability within our work culture.

We are committed to achieving net zero carbon by 2050 and do what is within our control and influence to reach this objective. For us to foster and adopt positive environmental ethics within our working culture, we ensure that carbon neutrality is a daily consideration in our internal operations. In this manner, we can practice what we preach and readily extend our approach to potentially influence our clients' projects. Below are a few aspects of our environmental policy which is embedded in our operations:

• Fully Remote Working: While we still have an office where we can have in-person meetings with clients, our employees work from home to reduce carbon emissions associated with travelling to work. This decision was made possible by modern advancements in virtual internal work meeting platforms, the adoption of subscription-based software licenses, and advancements in work management software that make remote working an efficient way to operate an engineering consultancy.
• Carbon Emission Offset: We have identified site visits as one of the main environmental impacts that are challenging to reduce without affecting the productiveness of our operations. To address the environmental impact due to site visits, we are subscribed to Carbon Neutral Britain and are a Certified Carbon Neutral Business. Each month, 5 tonnes of CO2e from our operations is offset by Carbon Neutral Britain on our behalf, which covers emissions directly associated with our operations. Carbon Neutral Britain also plants 30 trees each month on our behalf as a form of carbon sequestration.
• Knowledge Dissemination: We want to contribute to humanity's progress in sustainable development. As specialists in FRP reinforced concrete design to current design standards, we offer CPD seminars to provide Engineers within the industry with information on how to design FRP RC structures. Please contact us if you would like us to arrange a technical seminar on this topic.

This Policy has been updated as of 08/07/2024.