Message from Graham Beale
Our approach
Members
Employees
Community & society
Environment
- Environment
- Carbon management
- Energy use
- Travel
- Waste and resource management
- Other impact areas
- Raising awareness
- Data tables
Suppliers & partners
Products
Economic impact

Raising awareness

We are working to raise awareness of environmental issues among our members and our employees.

Involving our members

Working with Forum for the Future and The Energy Savings Trust, two of our partner organisations, the Home Energy Advice website on the Nationwide internet was revised and updated. The website provides advice and suggestions on energy efficiency measures and environmentally beneficial home improvements.

We also produced a revised Home Energy Advice leaflet for use in our branches. The leaflet is being piloted in the Hampshire area to determine the best way to add value to our member service and benefit the environment.

Engaging our employees

In June and July 2006, we held an energy awareness campaign for our employees. As part of this, we ran a survey which demonstrated greater awareness among employees when compared to the previous year. Our campaign focused on World Environment Day, 5th June, which is an annual initiative of the United Nations Environment Programme, designed to stimulate a greater understanding of environmental issues worldwide. Employees in our main offices were invited to attend educational sessions and discussions. In parallel, we implemented a comprehensive communications plan in all our branches. Each branch received a poster and a training session that focused on the issues around climate change. We also ran a quiz called 'How green is your branch?' with regional and national winners all receiving a certificate and prize.

Employee Community & Environmental Awards

Our employees play an important part on a number of environmental fronts and we recognise their contribution through our annual awards scheme.

Ninety dedicated staff won the group award for spending five hot summer days working the soil and protecting plant life in their local National Trust estate, Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire.

Steve Smith won the individual award for his efforts in organising Bike2Work Week at our Swindon centre, which included lunchtime rides and promotions.

Internal communication

Our monthly employee magazine, Live, is an important vehicle in promoting awareness and has regular features on community and environmental topics. We also have a dedicated climate change intranet with hints and tips for employees.

Eco-huts project

Members of our Business Services team, helped by partners Colliers, worked with pupils at Covingham Junior School to build an eco-hut. The children saw at first-hand what is involved in making a liveable, sustainable home and what basic shelter means to people who have no home. Donations and sponsorships went to the New Start Trust (NEST), who work in Zimbabwe. NEST provides sustainable house building ideas and technologies such as the eco-hut to help provide children and orphans with permanent shelters.