What is a Sustainability Policy?

A Sustainability Policy describes the responsible practices a company puts in place to manage its environmental and social impact. Please remember that it is not enough to adopt a policy - policies like these should also be clearly communicated and made available to all staff. The policy should be regularly reviewed to reflect changes to internal operations, regulations, and the business environment - this is particularly important for young companies and startups that tend to grow and evolve quickly over time.

How should I use the template?

This template presents a core structure alongside sustainability topics that are relevant to most companies. Each section offers specific instructions on what companies should include per topic and lists policy language they can adapt. The template addresses topics such as:

• Natural resource use
• Waste management
• Greenhouse gas emissions
• Environmental protection
• Biodiversity protection and conservation
• Diversity and inclusion
• Grievance mechanisms

Note that the template is merely a starting point! Some topics may be more relevant to you than others, and if you are operating in high-risk sectors, you may want to apply more robust standards. Use the template as a basis on which to make changes to match your own unique characteristics and structures, as well as language and style. Any material environmental and social risks and opportunities identified during your conversations with investors should be addressed in your Sustainability Policy.