All businesses impact on the environment in two fundamental ways: through the resources they use (e.g. fuels, materials and water) and through the wastes they produce (e.g. carbon dioxide emissions from vehicles or the disposal of chemicals).

Some of these impacts are under your direct control (e.g. the efficiency of your heating and lighting), while other impacts occur in your supply chain (e.g. during the extraction of raw materials to you purchase). While it is sensible to first address impacts occurring on-site, there are significant opportunities for those businesses who take a broader view of their total environmental impact.

Below are some of the most common pieces of environmental legislation that businesses should be aware of.