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Sustainability

At the Annual Meeting in 2022 EMES agreed a Sustainability Policy.

Download the policy

Part of minute: EMES/AM 2022/09: EMES Sustainability Policy
While some Friends would like us to be more radical, we agree to adopt the policy, recognising that it is a good starting point. We ask the Executive Committee to continually monitor the implementation of this policy and we will allow time at each Annual Meeting for us to reflect on where we all are in relation to the policy.

We agree to revise the policy after three years.

Appendix to EMES Sustainability Policy

The following list of links is provided to Friends as an aid to making more environmentally friendly choices. If you have suggestions of articles or websites to add to this list please contact Evan Welkin.

Sustainability statements, personal reflections and timeline
The FWCC offers a timeline and links to various statements on sustainability, including areas of work Quakers are considering worldwide. Visit the World Office page here

Executive Committee member Annie Janssen reflects on her journey across Europe by train for EMES. (This article was also published in our Autumn 2022 special issue of Among Friends focussing on sustainability.)

Executive Secretary Michael Eccles reflected on his journey to the Quakers in Italy gathering in 2023 here

Travel & Booking
The Man in Seat Sixty-One advice about train travel around Europe and further afield
Trainline – timetables and booking for trains across Europe
German Railways – for journeys in Germany and internationally such as Prague, Budapest, Warsaw etc.
SNCF – journeys in France and international such as Munich, Geneva
Eurostar – journeys between London, Brussels, Paris, Amsterdam, Cologne etc.

Food
A vegetarian diet is better for the environment The Vegetarian Society

Saving of Resources
Is digital really greener than paper? Guardian newspaper article
What’s the carbon footprint of the internet? Guardian newspaper article
What’s the Environmental Cost of the Internet? 6 Ways You Can Cut Your Webprint article on The Bubble

Offsetting
Carbon offset guide
Climate Stewards