Even though many charities in the UK aren’t major polluters or big energy users, they’re still increasingly affected by sustainability regulations. And while the rules might not seem like a top priority amid everything else a charity has to manage, understanding them is becoming more important by the day.

One of the more visible requirements is the need for Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) if your charity owns or leases buildings. These certificates rate how energy-efficient your premises are and must be displayed in public buildings over a certain sise. They can also influence grant applications or tenancy agreements(1).

If your charity is larger-say, over 250 employees or meeting certain financial thresholds-you could be pulled into Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR). This framework requires qualifying organisations to publicly report on their energy use and carbon emissions in their annual reports. While it doesn’t yet apply to many charities, that may change, especially as public scrutiny of organisational footprints grows(2).

Charities involved in retail, food distribution, or recycling should also be aware of waste regulations. Rules around how different materials are stored, transported, and disposed of are becoming more stringent. This is especially true for those operating charity shops or foodbanks, where packaging and waste can quickly build up(3).

Also worth noting: if your charity bids for government contracts, sustainability can be a deciding factor. Under the UK government’s social value model, organisations must show how they contribute to environmental goals like reducing carbon or improving air quality. Even for relatively small contracts, this is now part of the scoring process(4).

Charities often rely on goodwill and community trust-so while many regulations don’t yet carry heavy enforcement risks for the sector, being proactive sends a powerful message. Whether it’s getting ahead of reporting obligations or simply managing energy better, staying on top of current rules can protect both your charity’s reputation and its long-term future.

Bibliography

1 Energy Performance Certificates guidance (Accessed May 2025) https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/energy-performance-certificates

2 Environmental reporting guidelines: including Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting requirements (Accessed May 2025) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/environmental-reporting-guidelines-including-mandatory-greenhouse-gas-emissions-reporting-guidance

3 Simpler recycling: workplace recycling in England (Accessed May 2025) https://www.gov.uk/guidance/simpler-recycling-workplace-recycling-in-england

4 Social Value Act: information and resources (Accessed May 2025) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/social-value-act-information-and-resources/social-value-act-information-and-resources