Environmental Policy

1. Purpose

The Karbi Anglong Baptist Convention (KABC) recognizes that a healthy environment is essential to the wellbeing of people, communities, livelihoods, and future generations.

KABC is committed to using natural resources responsibly, reducing avoidable environmental harm, protecting biodiversity, and considering the environmental impact of its activities.

The purpose of this Policy is to provide practical guidance for environmental responsibility across KABC's offices, institutions, programmes, projects, properties, and activities, and to encourage responsible environmental practices within the wider communities it serves.

2. Scope

This Policy applies to:

• KABC offices;
• departments;
• programmes and projects;
• schools and other institutions;
• properties and facilities directly administered by KABC;
• employees and persons carrying out KABC activities; and
• events and activities directly organized by KABC.

Member Associations and local churches are encouraged to adopt and apply appropriate environmental practices according to their respective circumstances.

3. Guiding Principles

KABC's environmental practices shall be guided by:

• responsible use of natural resources;
• protection of biodiversity and natural habitats;
• prevention and reduction of pollution;
• reduction and responsible management of waste;
• responsible use of water and energy;
• environmental awareness and education;
• consideration of long-term environmental impacts; and
• compliance with applicable environmental laws.

4. Green Tuesday

KABC shall continue Green Tuesday, observed on the first Tuesday of July, as an annual environmental awareness and action initiative.

Activities may include:

• tree planting and care;
• community cleaning;
• environmental education;
• conservation activities;
• protection of water sources;
• waste-reduction initiatives; and
• other locally appropriate environmental activities.

KABC departments and institutions are encouraged to participate. Member Associations and local churches may also participate according to their local circumstances.

5. Tree Planting and Care

KABC shall encourage tree planting and the protection of existing trees.

Planting should give appropriate consideration to:

• indigenous and locally suitable species;
• fruit-bearing and other useful trees;
• suitability of the planting site;
• permission of the landowner or responsible authority;
• long-term maintenance; and
• survival of planted trees.

Tree-planting activities should focus on successful establishment and continued care rather than simply the number of trees planted.

Where trees must be removed from KABC property for construction, safety, or another legitimate reason, replacement planting should be considered where practicable.

6. Forests, Wildlife and Biodiversity

KABC shall encourage practices that protect forests, wildlife, biodiversity, and natural habitats.

KABC shall discourage:

• illegal hunting;
• unnecessary destruction of wildlife habitats;
• hunting or capture of protected species;
• other activities that unlawfully or unnecessarily damage biodiversity.

Environmental awareness activities may highlight the importance of forests and wildlife to ecological balance, water resources, livelihoods, and community wellbeing.

All activities shall comply with applicable wildlife, forest, and environmental laws.

7. Environmental Education and Awareness

KABC shall promote practical environmental awareness through its:

• institutions;
• departments;
• programmes and projects;
• training activities;
• events; and
• community engagement.

Environmental education may include:

• forests;
• water;
• soil;
• wildlife and biodiversity;
• waste management;
• pollution;
• climate change;
• responsible consumption;
• conservation; and
• the relationship between environmental conditions and community wellbeing.

Educational activities should be appropriate to the age, context, and needs of participants.

KABC may develop educational materials or work with competent persons, government departments, educational institutions, or other organizations where specialist knowledge is useful.

8. Rivers, Streams and Aquatic Ecosystems

KABC shall encourage the protection of rivers, streams, springs, wetlands, and other water sources from pollution and destructive practices.

KABC shall not support destructive or unlawful fishing methods, including the use of:

• explosives;
• poisons;
• pesticides;
• toxic chemicals; or
• other substances or methods that cause unnecessary damage to aquatic ecosystems.

KABC shall encourage lawful and environmentally responsible fishing practices.

Serious unlawful activity may be reported to the appropriate authority.

9. Water Protection and Conservation

KABC offices, institutions, properties, and programmes shall seek to use water responsibly and protect water sources from contamination.

Practical measures may include:

• repairing leaks;
• avoiding unnecessary water use;
• maintaining appropriate sanitation;
• preventing waste disposal into water bodies;
• protecting springs and other local water sources;
• rainwater harvesting where feasible; and
• promoting responsible water use.

10. Waste Reduction and Management

KABC shall seek to reduce waste generated through its offices, institutions, programmes, and events.

As far as practicable, priority should be given to:

1. avoiding unnecessary waste;
2. reducing consumption;
3. reusing suitable materials;
4. recycling where facilities are available; and
5. disposing of remaining waste responsibly.

Littering and indiscriminate dumping of waste in rivers, streams, roadsides, forests, public spaces, or open land shall be discouraged.

KABC facilities should provide appropriate arrangements for collection and disposal of waste.

11. Plastics and Disposable Materials

KABC shall seek to reduce unnecessary use of single-use materials, particularly where practical reusable alternatives are available.

This may include reducing the use of:

• disposable plastic bottles;
• plastic bags;
• disposable cups and plates;
• thermocol products; and
• other avoidable single-use items.

The objective is practical reduction rather than an inflexible prohibition where reasonable alternatives are not available.

12. Environmental Management at Events

KABC programmes, conferences, meetings, camps, festivals, and other events should include reasonable arrangements for environmental management.

Depending on the nature and size of the event, organizers should consider:

• waste bins;
• collection and disposal of waste;
• reduction of unnecessary disposable materials;
• responsible use of water;
• cleaning of the venue;
• appropriate sanitation; and
• protection of the surrounding area.

Environmental arrangements should be considered during event planning.

13. Paper and Printing

KABC shall seek to reduce unnecessary paper consumption.

Practical measures may include:

• electronic communication and document distribution;
• double-sided printing;
• printing only the number of copies reasonably required;
• reusing one-sided paper for drafts and internal purposes where confidentiality permits; and
• use of electronic forms and records where appropriate.

Confidential information shall continue to be handled in accordance with GP-004 — Confidentiality & Data Protection Policy.

14. Energy Use

KABC offices, institutions, and facilities shall seek to use electricity and other forms of energy responsibly.

Reasonable measures may include:

• switching off unnecessary lights and equipment;
• using energy-efficient equipment where practical;
• maintaining electrical equipment properly;
• using natural lighting and ventilation where appropriate; and
• considering renewable-energy options where technically and financially feasible.

15. Buildings, Construction and Land Use

Environmental considerations should be taken into account when KABC undertakes significant construction, renovation, or land development.

Where relevant, consideration should be given to:

1. existing trees and vegetation;
2. drainage;
3. soil stability and erosion;
4. water sources;
5. sanitation;
6. waste management;
7. natural lighting and ventilation;
8. energy efficiency;
9. impact on neighbouring communities and land; and
10. applicable planning and environmental requirements.

16. Procurement

Where practical and financially reasonable, environmental considerations may form part of procurement decisions.

Relevant considerations may include:

• durability;
• repairability;
• energy efficiency;
• reusable alternatives;
• unnecessary packaging;
• safe disposal; and
• suitability to local conditions.

Environmental considerations shall be balanced with cost, quality, availability, operational requirements, and responsible financial management.

17. Climate and Environmental Risk

KABC recognizes that environmental conditions may affect its institutions, programmes, properties, and the communities it serves.

Where relevant, planning should consider risks such as:

• floods;
• drought;
• landslides;
• extreme weather;
• water shortages;
• soil erosion;
• forest degradation; and
• other locally significant environmental risks.

Reasonable preventive and preparedness measures should be incorporated into programmes, construction, property management, and institutional planning where appropriate.

18. Partnerships and Community Engagement

KABC may cooperate with:

• government departments;
• educational institutions;
• civil-society organizations;
• environmental organizations;
• technical experts;
• community groups; and
• other appropriate partners

for environmental education, conservation, training, waste management, tree planting, water protection, and other relevant activities.

Partnerships shall be consistent with KABC's governance requirements and organizational interests.

19. Compliance with Environmental Law

KABC shall comply with environmental, wildlife, forest, waste-management, pollution-control, and other applicable laws relevant to its activities.

KABC does not exercise statutory environmental enforcement powers.

Where potentially unlawful environmental activity is identified, KABC may:

• take appropriate action concerning its own operations;
• discourage participation in unlawful practices;
• provide information and awareness; and
• refer serious matters to the appropriate authority where necessary.

20. Responsibilities

KABC departments, programmes, projects, schools, and other institutions are responsible for applying this Policy appropriately within their respective activities.

Leaders and persons responsible for facilities or programmes should consider environmental impacts in planning and decision-making.

Employees and participants are expected to use KABC resources responsibly and avoid unnecessary environmental harm.

Member Associations and local churches are encouraged to apply appropriate environmental practices within their own areas of responsibility.

21. Implementation

Implementation of this Policy may include:

• Green Tuesday activities;
• awareness and orientation programmes;
• environmental education;
• tree planting and care;
• waste-reduction measures;
• water and energy conservation;
• workshops and training;
• cooperation with relevant government departments and organizations;
• development of educational materials; and
• periodic review of environmental practices in KABC facilities and institutions.

Implementation shall be practical and proportionate to KABC's activities and available resources.

22. Monitoring and Learning

KABC may periodically review implementation of this Policy.

Review may consider:

• environmental practices in KABC facilities;
• Green Tuesday activities;
• survival and care of planted trees;
• waste-management improvements;
• water and energy conservation measures;
• environmental education undertaken;
• environmental risks identified; and
• lessons arising from implementation.

The purpose of monitoring is to identify practical improvements and areas requiring further attention.

23. Related Documents

This Policy should be read together with:

• Constitution of the Karbi Anglong Baptist Convention;
• GP-001 — Code of Conduct;
• GP-004 — Confidentiality & Data Protection Policy;
• Finance Policy;
• Financial Procedures Manual;
• Procurement Procedures;
• Child Protection Policy and Procedures, where activities involve children; and
• applicable environmental laws and regulations.

24. Transitional Provision

Upon the effective date of ES-001, the earlier KABC Environment Policy shall be replaced by this Policy.

Existing environmental initiatives, including Green Tuesday, shall continue and may be further developed under this Policy.

Existing practices and educational materials may continue where they remain consistent with this Policy.

25. Review and Amendment

This Policy shall be reviewed at least once every three (3) years, or earlier where necessary because of:

• changes in applicable law;
• significant environmental developments;
• changes in KABC programmes, institutions, or properties; or
• experience arising from implementation.

Amendments shall be approved by the competent authority of KABC in accordance with its governance arrangements.

26. Approval

Document Code: ES-001Document Title: Environmental PolicyVersion: 2.0Approved By: Executive CommitteeEffective Date: 28 February 2022Revised: 18 August 2026Review Cycle: Every three (3) years