Environmental consultants launch pro bono scheme to assist charities
10-Jul-08WSP Environment and Energy has launched a pro bono scheme to offer ‘free’ environmental consultancy advice to UK charities. The programme, described by WSP as the first scheme of its kind in the environmental consulting sector, was unveiled at the Charities Facilities Management (CFM) annual conference in June 2008.
CFM is promoting the scheme to its 200 members. Charities interested in receiving support must apply to the WSP Environment and Energy pro bono project board, which includes representatives from all levels of management within the firm. The consultancy hopes to support up to ten charities in the scheme’s first year.
WSP Environment and Energy staff will be able to provide up to five days’ support over a twelve month period, which would be matched by similar support from staff in their own time. They will be advising on a broad range of issues, such as resource efficiency (energy and water use, recycling and waste management), site remediation and planning issues, as well as environmental/sustainability strategy.
Stuart McLachlan, WSP Environment and Energy managing director, comments: “Charities, along with all organisations, need to develop clear policies and strategies to reduce their overall environmental impact. This is a live issue for many charities, which are keen to address these issues, but don’t have the resources or in-house expertise to set clear direction. Our pro bono programme would provide this support…”
The scheme has been “very well received so far, with about 30 applications submitted [in the first month]”, according to WSP Environment and Energy director David Symons. “The feedback from staff has also been very positive, and it was a natural progression from the office volunteering programme already in existence. Getting involved in pro bono work is great for skills training and team-building, while the managers are certain this is something we as a leading-edge company should be doing as it represents our core values.”
The move comes as a further development for WSP’s internal corporate responsibility policy. Last year saw the launch of its ‘personal allowance carbon tracking’ (PACT) scheme, claimed to be the UK’s first employee carbon reduction offering to encourage staff to reduce their personal carbon emissions. Such initiatives “help us attract and retain staff, and demonstrate that we’re not a typical capitalist consultancy,” says David Symons.
Other big names in the environmental consulting sector such as Arup, ERM and Enviros are known to operate schemes to allow staff to work on voluntary or heavily discounted projects, but WSP is believed to be the first to formalise its pro bono programme. The legal profession and certain other sectors have a strong tradition of pro bono work, but Mr Symons thinks it should become an inherent part of doing business for all large professional service firms. He comments: “Our scheme could be extended to involve other environmental consultancies in a wider programme – which could be the next stage for this potentially. But within WSP, we will certainly be looking at rolling it out across our global business.”
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