Sustainable Development Continuous Improvement Action Plan 2025 - 2026

• Encourage Volunteering.
• Advertise three bespoke volunteering opportunities offered to staff beyond the generic volunteering opportunities by February 2026. Support ELU with encouraging staff to participate in volunteer for the Assembly Charity of the Year.
• Working with HR, Communications Offices and ELU to ensure appropriate opportunities are offered that staff would be willing to participate in.  These will include opportunities to support the Assembly Charity of the Year.
• Costs are included as part of our BiTC membership.

Increases staff awareness and encourages staff to volunteer.  Ensures ‘buy in’ as it is in areas that staff have indicated they are willing to participate in.

The volunteering numbers will be monitored and recorded.

Complete.

Six Volunteering days took place:

• Assisi Animal Sanctuary.
• Mount Stewart.
• Three individual volunteering days for youth projects.
• Comber Greenway sponsored walk for Charity of the Year.

Environmental Awareness and Information for MLAs and their staff.

• Create sustainability resources for Members through the Members portal and training.  
• It is estimated that it will cost £100 per MLA for Climate Literacy Training however this will be taken forward by Parliamentary Services.

Increases awareness.  This has been continued from last year.  

• Offer additional training for MLA such as Climate Literacy.   
• Videos will be uploaded to the Members portal.

Complete.

• Members portal has been updated throughout the year.
• No Members availed of additional training.

• Reduce electricity consumption.
• Complete the roll out of new devices and replace the APortal system with an energy efficient, modern approach to hybrid working whereby there is the ability to power off devices when not in use.
• No costs for this financial year.

The average PC consumes approx. 3.36 kWh/day, 100.8kWh/month and 1226.4 kWh/year if it is in use 24 hours per day.  As the computers are currently on 24 hours per day 7 days per week this could be a significant saving.

Reduction in electricity use and new devices being used by Members and staff.

In progress.

• The roll out of the new devices is nearing completion.   Security have still to get their devices and the Chamber Kit is to be replaced.
• APortal and Direct Access are now switched off and are due to be decommissioned shortly.

• Improve biodiversity within the Stormont Estate.
• Work with SEMU to maintain Green Flag accreditation.
• Further reduce carbon emissions from grounds maintenance by embracing innovative technology.
• Maintain our status as a conservation area for the Native Irish Honeybee.
• Offer bespoke information/ awareness sessions for staff and Eco Schools.  
• Cost £500 for feeding boxes and motion cameras.

Improves environmental performance.  

• Facilitate SEMU and RSPBNI monitoring and reporting on wildlife in the grounds of Parliament Buildings.
• Maintain Green Flag status and
• Conservation status.
• Report publicly on emission savings made from using new technology to cut grass etc.
• Conservation status maintained.
• Report on number of sessions offered to staff and school groups.

Complete.

• Wildlife cameras have been installed to monitor the pine martens on the estate.  
• Green flag status has been maintained. The introduction of innovative groundskeeping technology has enabled us to reduce emissions by approximately 1.27 tCO₂e from April to October.
• Conservation status has been successfully maintained.
• Five awareness sessions were provided to schools.

• Work with catering provider to reduce food waste and promote sustainable food.  
• Train catering staff in proactive ways to reduce food waste.
• Have regular ‘meet the supplier days’ to promote local food suppliers.
• No Cost. 

Improves environmental performance by reducing waste generated.

• Report on initiatives to improve sustainability. Report on numbers of staff trained.
• Report on number of engagement days. 

Complete for this reporting year.

• All Aramark staff now have to complete sustainability training as part of their induction.
• Six Engagement days; Vegware, Keenans fish, Glastry farm ice cream, Carnbrook meats, Rosie’s bakes, Santa maria dry goods. 

• Support Cycle to work Day (7^th August this year).
• Working with HR and Comms to promote the day and provide a healthy snack for anyone who cycles in on the day.
• Approx. cost £100.

Encourages sustainable travel and reduces carbon footprint.

Report on number of staff who participate in the event.  

Complete for this reporting period.

• Three staff participated in the Cycle to Work day.

• Reusable bag competition advertised with eco schools in September 2025.
• Approx. £1000.

Improves environmental performance and raises awareness with staff illustrating the importance the Assembly places on sustainability.  

Work will commence in 2026 on the reusable bag competition being advertised with schools.

Complete for this reporting year.

• Work has been completed for the competition with Eco Schools newsletter in September 2025.

• Encourage Sustainable Travel.
• Work with Finance to have an EV/hybrid car scheme in place.

Raises awareness of sustainability and encourages building users to travel in a more environmentally friendly way.

Have a policy in place by March 2026.

In progress.

• Work is continuing with procurement and Finance to have a fully compliant scheme in place.  This will be carried over into the next reporting year.

Develop a Sustainable Development Strategy which will include a Climate Action Plan.

The Environmental Working Group chaired by the Head of FM will develop a Climate Action Plan.

• Working Group to finalise the Sustainable
• Development Strategy. which incorporates a Climate Action Plan.   

In progress.

• The strategy was presented to the HOB meeting and is now finalised.  A paper will be presented to SMT.