Environmental Policy
| Document Title | Environmental_Policy_IMS-LON-ENVPO-002.pdf |
| Document Reference | IMS-LON-ENVPO-002 |
| Version | 2.0 |
| Review Cycle | Annual |
| Date of Issue | July 2025 |
| Review Date | July 2026 |
| Document Owner | Imperial Security |
| Approved By | Senior Management Team |
1. Introduction & Policy Statement
Imperial Security (hereinafter referred to as "Imperial Security" or "the Company") is a leading UK-based security services provider headquartered at 152 City Road, London. We deliver a comprehensive range of professional security solutions to businesses across London and the wider United Kingdom, including security guard services, door supervision, event security, hotel and concierge security, corporate security, retail security, close protection bodyguards, educational security, construction site security, warehouse security, key holding, CCTV monitoring, and mobile patrol services.
As a responsible business operating across diverse sectors of the UK economy, Imperial Security is fully committed to conducting its operations in an environmentally responsible manner. We recognise that the activities associated with providing manned guarding services, mobile patrols, event security, and the broader administration of our business have an environmental impact. It is our responsibility and our commitment to understand, manage, and continually reduce those impacts wherever practicable.
This Environmental Policy sets out Imperial Security's approach to environmental management and sustainability. It establishes our commitments, defines our objectives, and provides a framework for ongoing improvement. This policy applies to all aspects of our operations, including our central office at 152 City Road, London, all client sites at which our personnel are deployed, and all employees, contractors, agency workers, and subcontractors working on behalf of the Company.
Imperial Security acknowledges the global challenge of climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation, and we are committed to playing our part however large or small in contributing to a cleaner, greener future for the United Kingdom and the planet.
2. Scope & Applicability
This policy applies to:
- All permanent, temporary, and agency employees of Imperial Security
- All self-employed operatives and subcontracted security personnel working under the Imperial Security brand
- All directors, senior management, and administrative staff
- All physical locations in which the Company operates, including our registered office, client-site deployments, and any satellite operations
- All vehicles and transport used in the delivery of our services, including mobile patrol vehicles and staff commuting for operational purposes
- All procurement, supply chain, and third-party vendor relationships managed by the Company
Where Imperial Security operates on a client's premises, we shall comply with all environmental requirements imposed by the client in addition to our own internal standards, provided such requirements are lawful and reasonable. We will actively encourage our clients to adopt environmentally responsible practices in areas where our services interface with their operations.
3. Legal & Regulatory Compliance
Imperial Security is committed to full compliance with all applicable UK environmental legislation, regulations, and statutory guidance. This includes, but is not limited to:
- The Environment Act 2021
- The Environmental Protection Act 1990
- The Climate Change Act 2008 (and subsequent amendments)
- The Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) Regulations 2014
- The Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011
- The Hazardous Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2005
- The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 2007
- The Control of Pollution Act 1974
- The Water Resources Act 1991
- The Clean Air Act 1993
- The Road Traffic (Vehicle Emissions) Regulations 2002
- All applicable local authority environmental requirements and planning conditions
In addition to compliance with existing legislation, Imperial Security will monitor forthcoming changes to UK environmental law and best practice guidance, including any developments arising from the UK Government's Net Zero Strategy and associated policy commitments. We will update this policy and our internal procedures accordingly to ensure we remain compliant and aligned with current expectations.
Where environmental legislation is ambiguous or evolving, the Company will seek appropriate professional advice and adopt the most cautious and responsible interpretation, consistent with good environmental stewardship.
4. Environmental Impacts of Our Operations
Imperial Security has undertaken a review of the principal environmental aspects and impacts associated with our business activities. Whilst the security services sector is not considered a high-impact industry relative to manufacturing or heavy industry, we nonetheless recognise the following areas as significant to our environmental footprint:
4.1 Carbon Emissions & Transport
The deployment of security personnel across London and the United Kingdom necessitates significant use of road transport, whether through company-managed mobile patrol vehicles, staff travelling to and from assignments, or management and administration travel. Carbon emissions from transport represent our most significant direct environmental impact.
4.2 Energy Consumption
The operation of our registered office, including lighting, heating, ventilation, information technology systems, communications infrastructure, and security monitoring equipment, contributes to energy consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions.
4.3 Waste Generation
Our operations generate waste, including paper, packaging, electronic equipment (WEEE), consumables, and general office waste. Deployed personnel may also generate waste at client premises during their assignments.
4.4 Procurement & Supply Chain
The procurement of uniforms, equipment, technology, vehicles, consumables, and third-party services all carry embedded environmental impacts within their supply chains. We acknowledge our responsibility to consider these impacts when making purchasing decisions.
4.5 Water Usage
Water is consumed at our offices and, to a lesser extent, at client premises by our deployed staff. Whilst this is not our most significant impact, we are committed to responsible usage and waste avoidance.
4.6 Noise & Light Pollution
Certain operational activities, particularly at construction sites, events, and overnight deployments, may contribute to noise or light pollution in surrounding areas. We are committed to minimising such impacts through responsible operational practices.
5. Our Environmental Commitments
Imperial Security makes the following firm commitments in respect of our environmental responsibilities:
5.1 Carbon Reduction & Climate Action
- We commit to progressively reducing the carbon footprint of our mobile patrol and operational vehicle fleet by transitioning to low-emission and zero-emission vehicles as technology and infrastructure permit
- We will actively encourage our workforce to use public transport, cycling, and other sustainable modes of travel where operationally feasible and safe
- We will measure, monitor, and seek to reduce our Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions annually
- We will explore opportunities to offset residual carbon emissions through credible and independently verified carbon offset programmes
- We will support the UK Government's target of achieving Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050
5.2 Energy Efficiency
- We will ensure that all equipment used within our offices and operations is as energy-efficient as practicable, including the use of LED lighting, energy-rated appliances, and efficient CCTV and monitoring technology
- We will implement policies to minimise unnecessary energy consumption, including switching off equipment when not in use, optimising heating and cooling systems, and utilising natural light where possible
- We will consider the energy performance of any premises we occupy and seek to work with landlords and property managers to improve energy efficiency ratings
- We will monitor our energy consumption regularly and set targets for year-on-year reduction
5.3 Waste Reduction & Responsible Disposal
- We will apply the waste hierarchy Reduce, Reuse, Recycle to all waste generated by our operations, prioritising prevention above all other options
- We will ensure that all recyclable materials, including paper, cardboard, plastics, glass, and metals, are separated and directed to appropriate recycling facilities
- We will ensure that electronic and electrical equipment (WEEE) is disposed of through authorised and responsible WEEE recycling channels
- We will minimise single-use plastics within our operations and seek to replace them with reusable or recyclable alternatives
- We will not permit the illegal dumping, burning, or improper disposal of any waste generated in connection with our activities
5.4 Sustainable Procurement
- We will incorporate environmental criteria into our procurement decisions, favouring suppliers and vendors who demonstrate a genuine commitment to environmental responsibility
- Where practicable, we will source uniforms, equipment, and consumables manufactured or distributed using sustainable methods and materials
- We will prefer suppliers who operate within the United Kingdom or who can demonstrate low-carbon supply chains
- We will review our supplier and contractor relationships periodically to assess environmental performance and encourage improvement
5.5 Digital Transformation & Paperless Operations
- We will continue to develop and implement digital systems for scheduling, reporting, incident logging, and communications, thereby reducing reliance on paper-based processes
- We will promote electronic invoicing, digital payroll, and online contract management to minimise paper consumption across our administrative functions
- Where printed materials are unavoidable, we will use recycled paper and environmentally responsible printing practices
5.6 Biodiversity & Natural Environment
- We will ensure that our operations do not cause unnecessary damage to green spaces, natural habitats, waterways, or local ecosystems
- Where we have influence over the management of outdoor areas associated with client sites, we will encourage practices that are sympathetic to local biodiversity
- We will not knowingly engage with clients or suppliers whose activities are in breach of wildlife protection legislation or environmental designations
6. Roles & Responsibilities
The successful delivery of Imperial Security's environmental commitments depends upon the active engagement, responsibility, and accountability of all individuals associated with our business. The following responsibilities are hereby assigned:
6.1 Board of Directors / Senior Management
- Provide visible leadership and commitment to the implementation of this policy
- Allocate sufficient resources financial, human, and operational to meet the Company's environmental objectives
- Review and approve updates to this policy on at least an annual basis
- Ensure environmental performance is considered as part of the Company's broader strategic decision-making
- Ensure the Company meets all applicable legal and regulatory environmental requirements
6.2 Operations & Site Management
- Implement this policy in all areas of operational activity, including deployments at client premises
- Ensure that all security personnel under their supervision are briefed on and comply with the environmental requirements applicable to their deployment
- Report any environmental incidents, near misses, or areas of concern through the Company's incident reporting system
- Monitor waste, energy, and transport usage within their areas of responsibility and report against agreed targets
6.3 All Employees & Contracted Personnel
- Familiarise themselves with this policy and understand how it applies to their role
- Actively contribute to waste reduction, energy conservation, and responsible behaviour in all work settings
- Report any environmental hazard, pollution incident, or non-compliance to their line manager or the designated environmental contact without delay
- Participate in environmental training and awareness activities provided by the Company
- Refrain from any action that would knowingly cause environmental harm or breach environmental legislation
6.4 Procurement & Administration
- Embed environmental criteria into all purchasing and tendering processes
- Maintain up-to-date records of waste disposal, energy usage, and carbon emissions for reporting purposes
- Liaise with suppliers to obtain relevant environmental certifications and performance data
7. Environmental Objectives & Targets
Imperial Security will set, monitor, and review specific environmental objectives and targets on an annual basis. These targets will be documented in a separate Environmental Management Plan, which will be reviewed by Senior Management at least once per year. Current priority areas include:
- Establish a baseline measurement of the Company's carbon footprint across all operational activities by the end of 2026
- Reduce paper consumption across administrative and operational functions by a minimum of 25% within the first twelve months of this policy's implementation
- Ensure 100% of general office waste is sorted for recycling or composting within twelve months
- Introduce an electric or hybrid vehicle into the mobile patrol fleet within the next operational vehicle replacement cycle
- Complete environmental awareness training for all personnel within six months of this policy's implementation
- Review and update the Company's supplier environmental questionnaire to include formal environmental sustainability criteria
Progress against these targets will be communicated to all staff through internal briefings, training sessions, and updates published via the Company's internal communications channels.
8. Training & Awareness
Imperial Security recognises that the effectiveness of this Environmental Policy is fundamentally dependent upon the knowledge, understanding, and commitment of our people. We will therefore:
- Provide environmental induction training to all new employees, contractors, and subcontracted personnel as part of their onboarding process
- Deliver regular refresher training and environmental awareness communications to all existing staff
- Ensure that personnel deployed at client sites who are subject to client-specific environmental requirements are briefed on those requirements prior to commencing their assignment
- Train site supervisors and operations managers in environmental incident response and reporting procedures
- Encourage all staff to suggest practical ideas for reducing the Company's environmental impact, fostering a culture of environmental responsibility at every level of the organisation
Training will be delivered in a manner that is accessible, relevant, and proportionate to each individual's role and level of responsibility. Records of all environmental training will be maintained by the Company's HR and compliance function.
9. Environmental Incident Management
In the event of an environmental incident including but not limited to spillage of hazardous materials, illegal waste disposal, water or air pollution, or damage to protected habitats Imperial Security will respond in accordance with the following principles:
- Immediately contain the incident where it is safe to do so, preventing further harm or spread
- Report the incident to the designated line manager and, where required by law, to the relevant regulatory authority (including the Environment Agency or equivalent devolved body)
- Document the incident fully, including the nature of the event, persons involved, actions taken, and any environmental consequences
- Conduct a thorough investigation to identify the root cause of the incident
- Implement corrective and preventive actions to ensure the incident does not recur
- Share lessons learned across the organisation to improve environmental awareness and resilience
All environmental incidents, near misses, and observations will be recorded on the Company's incident log. Trends and recurring themes will be reviewed by Senior Management on a quarterly basis.
10. Monitoring, Review & Continual Improvement
Imperial Security is committed to the principle of continual improvement in environmental performance. This policy and our environmental objectives will be reviewed at least annually by Senior Management to assess progress, identify areas for improvement, and ensure that our commitments remain appropriate to the nature and scale of our operations.
Reviews will consider:
- Progress against the environmental targets set out in Section 7 of this policy
- Changes in applicable environmental legislation or regulatory guidance
- Results of internal and external environmental audits
- Environmental incidents and near-miss reports
- Feedback from employees, clients, contractors, and other stakeholders
- Changes in the Company's activities, services, or scale of operations
- Developments in best practice and industry standards relevant to our sector
The outcome of each annual review will be documented and any revisions to this policy will be communicated to all relevant personnel. Updated versions of this policy will be published on the Company's website at www.imperialsecurity.agency and made available to all staff through the Company's internal communications.
11. Communication & Stakeholder Engagement
Imperial Security is committed to transparent communication about our environmental performance and commitments. We will:
- Publish this Environmental Policy on our website (www.imperialsecurity.agency) and ensure it is readily accessible to all clients, potential clients, suppliers, and members of the public
- Communicate our environmental objectives and progress to employees through regular briefings, newsletters, and team meetings
- Include environmental performance as a standing agenda item in senior management review meetings
- Engage with our clients on environmental matters, sharing good practices and supporting them in meeting their own environmental responsibilities where our services intersect with their operations
- Participate in industry forums, trade associations, and professional networks that promote environmental responsibility within the UK security services sector
- Welcome feedback from any stakeholder regarding our environmental performance and take all reasonable steps to respond to and act upon such feedback constructively
12. Relationship to Other Policies
This Environmental Policy forms part of Imperial Security's wider framework of corporate responsibility and compliance. It should be read in conjunction with the following Company policies where applicable:
- Health & Safety Policy
- Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Policy
- Modern Slavery & Human Trafficking Statement
- Privacy Policy
- Sustainability & Corporate Social Responsibility Statement
- Supplier Code of Conduct
In all cases where the requirements of this Environmental Policy overlap with or are referenced by other Company policies, the most stringent applicable standard shall take precedence. Any apparent conflicts between this policy and another Company policy should be referred to Senior Management for resolution.
13. Breaches of This Policy
Imperial Security takes breaches of this Environmental Policy seriously. Any employee, contractor, or subcontracted operative who wilfully contravenes the provisions of this policy including but not limited to illegally disposing of waste, deliberately causing damage to the natural environment, or misrepresenting the Company's environmental performance will be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the Company's disciplinary procedures. In serious cases, this may include termination of employment or contract.
Where a breach of this policy results in a breach of environmental legislation, the matter will be reported to the relevant regulatory authority as required by law, and the Company will co-operate fully with any subsequent investigation or enforcement action.












