Sustainability

At the Royal Air Force Club, we are committed to operating in a way that is respectful of the environment while upholding the high standards expected by our Members. Sustainability is a key consideration in our day-to-day operations, and we continue to make conscious efforts to minimise our environmental impact. These ongoing efforts form the foundation of our wider environmental strategy.

Some of the initiatives already in place include:

• Energy Efficiency: We have implemented energy-saving measures throughout the Club, including the installation of LED lighting, motion sensors, and upgraded HVAC systems in key areas to reduce energy consumption.
• Water Conservation: Low-flow fixtures and regular maintenance checks help to limit water usage across our facilities.
• Waste Management: We separate recyclables, food waste, and general waste and work with responsible waste partners to ensure proper disposal and recycling.
• Green Procurement: Where possible, we source sustainable and locally produced goods to reduce our carbon footprint and support ethical suppliers.
• Staff Awareness: Internal communications and training initiatives ensure staff remain informed and engaged in the Club’s sustainability efforts.
• Switch-Off Policy: A Club-wide policy encourages staff to power down unused equipment and lighting to minimise unnecessary energy use.

To further our commitment to environmental stewardship, the RAF Club has partnered with EarthCheck, a globally recognised scientific benchmarking, certification and advisory group for sustainable tourism and hospitality.

EarthCheck provides a rigorous and structured framework to help organisations like ours measure, manage, and improve their environmental, social, and economic impact. As a trusted leader in sustainability certification, EarthCheck supports us in aligning with best practices, achieving measurable progress, and ensuring long-term accountability.

Our objective in working with EarthCheck is to achieve formal accreditation, demonstrating our pledge to continuous improvement and responsible club management.

Achieving EarthCheck certification is a journey that involves commitment, collaboration, and a clear strategy. The process begins with benchmarking our current practices, followed by the implementation of improvements based on EarthCheck’s sustainability criteria.

Key steps in our roadmap include:

• Data Collection and Analysis: We are currently gathering accurate data on energy, water, waste, emissions, and other key environmental indicators to establish a baseline for benchmarking.
• Policy and Procedure Review: All Club procedures are being assessed and, where needed, updated to ensure alignment with sustainable best practices.
• Staff Engagement and Training: As our team plays a crucial role in delivering results, we are developing targeted training to embed sustainability into everyday operations.
• Ongoing Improvements: Based on our benchmarking outcomes, we will implement targeted changes across departments to address any gaps and opportunities for improvement.
• Audit and Certification: Once the necessary criteria are met, an external audit will be conducted by EarthCheck to determine if we qualify for accreditation, starting with Bronze status. We hope to achieve Bronze status by the end of 2025.

"Our ambition is not only to achieve accreditation but to embed a culture of environmental responsibility throughout the Club. We are proud of the progress made so far and remain committed to enhancing our sustainability performance year on year."