These FAQs have been developed by Sam Setchell (Jackson Geo Services), Natalie Cropp (Tony Gee) and Alison Nicholson (Buro Happold).  If you have any further questions, please reach out to ags@ags.org.uk or any of the signatories.  We will add to this FAQ as the charter develops.

What if my company doesn’t have any sustainability targets?
The process of signing up to this charter with the associated guidance is designed to support you in the process of developing and committing to sustainability targets.  If you need additional support, please reach out to your in-house sustainability team or the existing AGS Charter signatories for support.

If our company/team has already developed our targets – why sign up?
Firstly, the process will be very straightforward for you.  In addition, this pledge brings together both the operational and project impacts across the full breadth of sustainability.  Sustainability charters or pledges often relate to either operational targets based on internal business processes or external project influence requiring wide industry influence.  This can sometimes feel far removed from the day-to-day work within our technical disciplines and therefore difficult to directly influence. The AGS Sustainability Charter is an opportunity for your ground engineering / geotechnical / geoenvironmental team to own your commitments and have the agency to deliver them.

What is the difference between operational aspects and project aspects?
Operational aspects are part of the business’s normal functioning that directly contributes to (or detracts from) its sustainability performance. These can Include – Energy use, waste handling, supply chain decisions, staff wellbeing, etc.

Project aspects are related to how a team would influence sustainability within the project or design.  For example, for a team involved in design these would be the relating to the structure or solution provided.  For a ground investigation team aspects would relate to how the data is used to design foundations.

What do I need to do to demonstrate my commitments?
At this stage, there is no formal tracking; however, from time to time your named contact (as given on the sign-up form) will be contacted to fill out a survey asking for an update on your progress.

In our sign-up form and follow on surveys, you can demonstrate your commitments to the operational targets you have set by including a link to your ESG reporting.

Providing project case studies to the AGS via the sign-up form and follow on surveys, or even as an article in the AGS Magazine, is a great way to demonstrate your actions to promote and drive sustainability in projects.  You can also offer to actively mentor other AGS members in developing sustainability targets and goals.

How will the AGS use the information provided on the form?
On the form there is a GDPR statement for you to sign that covers data usage.  Essentially, the personal information you provide (e.g., name, organisation, email address) will be used solely for the administration of the Charter.  Other information such as the commitments made and examples provided may be anonymised to provide examples in the guidance or other comms relating to the pledge, with the aim of supporting other members with their sign up.

How are the UN SDGs related to this charter?

We have mapped the UN SDGs against the most common impact areas we expect to relate to your organisational aspects and project work.  These are aspects that can be influenced through action in our operations and through our project work.  For each there is at least one primary link where improvements in the aspect can be considered to contribute towards the aims and targets of the SDG.  We have listed some secondary SDGs that will have less direct links – these can be found in the sign up form.

How does this relate to other pledges and initiatives?
The AGS Sustainability Charter covers both project and operational aspects of members work relating to the full breadth of sustainability.  There are many other sustainability pledges and initiatives in the industry that target parts of the AGS Sustainability Charter; here are a few examples.

• Pledges relating to operational carbon commitments (e.g. Pledge to Net Zero or Race to Zero) – align with commitments for operational aspects that relate to carbon impacts.
• Civil Engineers, Structural Engineers or Architects Declare Climate and Biodiversity Emergencies – align more with commitments relating to aspects of project work that impact climate and biodiversity.
• Legislation related to energy and carbon reporting (e.g. ESOS, SECR etc) – align with commitments for operational aspects that relate to carbon impacts.
• Management systems (e.g. ISO14001 Environmental Management Systems or PAS2080 Carbon Management Systems)– provide the framework for managing aspects of the business that impact the environment or carbon.

It is intended that the AGS Sustainability Charter is complimentary to other pledges and initiatives in place in your business.  You can use the targets set under these, or any others, to satisfy the AGS Sustainability Charter.

How does this relate to my Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions?
This charter is not a carbon pledge but a sustainability pledge and as such covers more than just carbon.  That said, we recognize the climate emergency and the importance of carbon management, therefore we advocate that one of your targets will be carbon based.

Can I sign up my team to the Charter without my full company approval?
Yes – you can sign up as a team with the approval of your team lead/director.

We appreciate that the geotechnical / geoenvironmental communities within an organisation may not be in a position to influence a corporate or whole business sign up.  The team sign up option allows you to still take part in the charter commitments.

What if I’m stuck and need help?
Speak to your in-house sustainability team or carbon lead.  Otherwise, we encourage you to reach out to other AGS Charter signatories for support.