PHIG Policy Framework v1.2 · Policy 09 · Adopted 1 September 2026 · References: European Green Deal; “do no significant harm” principle (Regulation (EU) 2020/852, Art. 17) applied in EU programmes; Horizon Europe MGA Art. 14 and 17; EU4Health Regulation (EU) 2021/522
1. Commitment
PHIG recognises that climate change and environmental degradation are among the largest threats to public health. The institute commits to minimising the environmental impact of its own operations, to applying the “do no significant harm” principle to every project it designs, and to integrating environment and climate into its research, education and public information.
2. Operations
- Travel: meetings held online by default; air travel only where presence is essential, economy class, with trains preferred under 800 km; travel emissions estimated and reported annually.
- Digital infrastructure: hosting providers chosen with regard to energy efficiency and renewable power where available; images and data optimised to reduce transfer and storage; automated services scheduled to avoid waste.
- Offices and events: paperless by default; no single-use plastics at PHIG events; local, plant-forward catering; venues reachable by public transport.
- Procurement: environmental criteria included where relevant (energy use, repairability, packaging, supplier’s environmental policy), in line with the Procurement Policy.
- Waste: electronic equipment reused or recycled through certified channels; data securely erased before disposal.
3. Projects
Every project design includes a short environmental screening: expected impacts, measures to avoid or reduce them, and confirmation that the project does no significant harm to the six EU environmental objectives (climate mitigation, climate adaptation, water and marine resources, circular economy, pollution prevention, biodiversity). For EU-funded actions the screening follows the granting authority’s template.
4. Content
Health effects of climate change, heat at work, air and water quality, chemical safety and household chemicals, and planetary-health perspectives are integrated into GILS reports, Sheni Labs verdicts (household products, cosmetics containing microplastics), Academy courses and the network’s public information.
5. Responsibilities and reporting
The Director is responsible; the annual report includes travel emissions, the proportion of meetings held online, and project screenings completed.
6. Review
Every two years.
Part of the PHIG Policy Framework. Breaches and concerns may be reported under the Whistleblowing Procedure to info@accreditation.ge (subject “Confidential — integrity”).