Sustainability self-audit
Getting Ready for the Audit
In a nutshell
This is not a test. There are no trick questions. Just answer honestly – Yes, No, or Don’t Know.
If the answer is Yes, great – move on. If the answer is No or Don’t Know, follow the links to relevant module
Keep the results on hand for developing your action plan which we lay out in section 3.1.
Self-Audit questionnaire
Question
Yes/No/Don’t know
Go to module:
Are you familiar with what’s been happening in recent years relating to sustainability such as The Paris Agreement, Sustainable Development Goals and COP? ⬜
2.1 Are you familiar with the issues around climate change and the term net zero? ⬜
2.2 / 2.5 Have you ever measured your own personal carbon footprint? ⬜
2.3 Does your business report on environmental and social performance, as well as financial?
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D Has your business conducted a risks and opportunities analysis related to environmental and societal issues? ⬜
C Has your business ever considered what customers/guests expect from the company in terms of environmental and social stewardship? ⬜
E Does your business currently have a policy or strategy relating to CSR, sustainability, ESG or regenerative tourism? ⬜
B
Questions
Yes/No/Don’t know
Go to module:
Has your business ever calculated any of its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions or carbon footprint?
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2.4 Does your business currently report on its carbon footprint? ⬜
2.4 Has your business committed to a specific carbon reduction programme? ⬜
2.5 Does your business purchase green/renewable energy? ⬜
2.7 Does your business have energy efficiency policies including lighting and heating/cooling? ⬜
2.7 Does your business have a water efficiency policy? ⬜
2.8 Does your business have a formal supplier code of conduct in place that specifically holds the company’s suppliers accountable for their environmental and social impact?
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2.9 Have you conducted any supplier sustainability audits, or requested specific carbon data relating to their products or services? ⬜
2.9 Does the business have clear waste reduction policies? ⬜
2.10 If you provide catering, does the business have a clear food waste policy?
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2.11 If you provide catering, does the business offer a range of plant-based alternatives to meat and dairy products? ⬜
2.11 Does the business support any reforestation, rewilding, or biodiversity projects (on- or off-site)? ⬜
2.6 Has the business ever purchased any carbon offsets? ⬜
2.12
Employee Related Questions
Yes/No/Don’t know
Go to module:
Has your business ever surveyed employees to establish their views and concerns regarding environmental and social issues?
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2.14 Does your business have written policies covering diversity, equity, and inclusion? ⬜
2.14 Does your business pay above the ‘real living wage’? ⬜
2.14 Does your business have an employee health and wellbeing programme in place? ⬜
2.14 Have employees received sustainability training? ⬜
4.3 Customers/Guests Related Questions
Yes/No/Don’t know
Go to module:
Has your business ever surveyed customers/guests to establish their views and concerns regarding environmental and social issues?
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2.15 Community Related Questions
Yes/No/Don’t know
Go to module:
Does your business have a set charity giving policy? ⬜
2.16 Does your business give away any product or service for free (to those who cannot afford it)? ⬜
2.16 Does your business support local events? ⬜
2.16 Does your business support local suppliers?
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2.16
Questions
Yes/No/Don’t know
Go to module:
Does your business have all appropriate policies in place regarding corporate governance (GDPR, Modern Slavery, etc)?
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2.19 Is sustainability currently considered a core part of your business?
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4.3 Does your business have a sustainability action plan in place?
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3.1 Is sustainability a fixed item at senior management meetings and/or board level?
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4.3 Is sustainability performance built into KPIs, incentives or bonuses?
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2.19 Does your business produce an annual sustainability or impact statement or report?
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5.1 Does your business refer to sustainability in its marketing in an honest and transparent way?
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5.2 Does your business have checks in place to avoid greenwashing?
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5.3 Is your business up to date on legal requirements relating to environmental and societal issues?
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2.17 Has your business gained any third-party environmental or sustainability certification?
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2.18
VisitEngland Sustainability Self-Audit.pdf
Download a copy of the Sustainability Self-Audit and get started building a better business. Having your own copy to refer to will help you work through the areas where you want to learn more and inform your action plan moving forward.
Audit STC
Stop. Think. Challenge
What did you score? If you found a question surprising, or you didn't know the answer, dedicate some time to working through the Learn modules in Step 2.
