Gemserv believes our resources and capabilities can and should promote business activities that bring simultaneous economic, social and environmental benefits.

Environment

Gemserv is acting to minimise its negative environmental impacts and has been registered under the IEMA ACORN scheme as improving its environmental performance and successfully achieving phases 1, 2 and 3 of BS 8555 (phased implementation of an Environmental Management System). You can download our environmental policy here.

Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of modern times; Gemserv recognises the collective responsibility of business and society in general to take action to reduce carbon emissions and other greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. Consequently, Gemserv is committed to being ‘carbon neutral' by focusing on reducing its direct and indirect carbon emissions and offsetting its residual carbon emissions through schemes meeting the requirements of the UK Government's code of best practice for carbon offsetting.

We have an active programme to drive resource efficiency and to continuously reduce our environmental impacts that is coordinated through our team of "green champions". They monitor and implement staff suggestions to continually refine our environmental initiatives, as well as producing weekly factoid emails with innovative ideas and helpful tips to live a carbon efficient lifestyle.

Travel is a necessary feature of our business and we try to minimise the associated environmental impacts wherever possible. Gemserv includes the estimated carbon emissions from business travel and staff commuting within its carbon footprint, which it offsets.

Further, we actively monitor and target reductions in our energy consumption by influencing changes in staff behaviours and incorporating energy efficiency criteria into our decision-making processes.  Wherever possible, Gemserv purchases recycled materials and have implemented enhanced recycling facilities within its offices at Centurion House.  These premises make a significant contribution to our carbon footprint, mitigation of which is largely outside of our immediate control. However, environmental performance will be a key consideration in our plans to move to new office accommodation at the end of 2009.

Wider Social Responsibility

Gemserv's commitment to social issues extends outside its business activities into social, charitable and volunteering activities. We work with business partners to offer the skills of our diverse workforce to charities and communities requiring support. This kind of community involvement is actively encouraged in Gemserv, with staff given the opportunity to use work time to take part in volunteering activities of their choice.

Staff fundraising is also supported with a designated Charity Committee matching raised funds, enabling employees to take part in fundraising events in support of non-political and non-sectarian projects, organisations and charities worldwide.