Environmental Management System

Transcription

1 Environmental Management System Phase 1 Executive Summary Training & Awareness Version Date: June 2011 Author: Chris Greaves 1

2 Background The University of Leeds launched its the Environmental Policy This was supported by an informal EMS which has resulted in significant improvements in the field of sustainability Senior management continue to support the programs developed under the informal EMS and the achievements of these programs have featured in University of Leeds Annual Reports. The Sustainable Development Steering Group (SDSG) was established to implement the informal EMS and promote the Environmental Policy. This group involves senior managers from each University Directorate and from Academic Faculties. SDSG meets three times per year, is chaired by a delegate of the Vice Chancellor and reports to the Vice Chancellor s Executive Group VCEG. From September 2010 SDSG explored options for the University of Leeds to implement a formal Environmental Management System (EMS) culminating in a decision to develop a formal EMS being endorsed by the Vice Chancellors Executive Committee in June Responsibility for leading the development of the EMS rests with the Director of Wellbeing Safety and Health with overall management responsibility resting with SDSG. A full organisational chart is shown below. Further background, an organisational chart and details of resource implications are outlined in the document Phase 1, Stage 1: Gaining and Maintaining Management Commitment. Training & Awareness Version Date: June 2011 Author: Chris Greaves 2

3 University of Leeds EMS Organisational Chart Council VCEG FMG SDSG Biodiversity Monitor & implement Biodiversity Action Plan. Transport policy review group Monitor & implement Sustainable Travel Plan. Sustainable IT Group To manage the impact of University IT on energy & resource consumption. Sustainable procurement Group To manage the environmental impact of the University s purchasing. Energy Group To monitor & implement the University s Carbon Management Plan. Waste & recycling group Reduce waste & increase recycling at the University. Includes WEEE & Hazardous waste. Pollution control Develop, promote and monitor standards for potentially polluting operations. SD Team Energy Team WBSH Environmental co-ordinators Training & Awareness Version Date: June 2011 Author: Chris Greaves 3

4 Scope The scope of the EMS includes the following sites, the teaching, research, facility management and administration activities undertaken there and the physical products, emissions and wastes generated there. University of Leeds (UoL) Main Campus excluding the Combined Heat and Power Station which is managed by Dalkia Ltd under their EMS (except in as much as the CHP contributes to achieving the aims of the Energy Policy and the Carbon Management Plan) Charles Morris, Boddington, Devonshire and Clarence Dock Halls of Residence o Other residences are excluded as being scheduled for sale or as being operated by external agencies. Spen Farm o Specifically the areas used by Faculty of Biological Sciences for research o Other farm land owned by UoL is managed by third parties and not included Bardon Grange and Wheatwood Daleshead and Sellside outdoor pursuit centres The hospitals are excluded as sites because they are owned and managed by the NHS. UoL staff at these sites are included in as much as they are expected to comply with relevant UoL Policies and Standards which are in turn covered by this assessment and the EMS. Similarly, off-site fieldwork is considered as an activity which will fall under the EMS in as much as research staff are expected to work to relevant UoL Policies and Standards. The Faculty of Biology Experimental Gardens are excluded as these are expected to be sold before the EMS would have an impact on their operation. Noise and nuisance associated with events and student behaviour around the main campus and accommodation is acknowledged as a significant issue that impacts especially on local residents. This is regulated under the Local Government Act and is addressed through the University s Community Engagement Initiative and is NOT included in the scope of the EMS. Noise from plant, machinery and construction associated with teaching, research, facility management and administration activities is within the scope of the EMS. The academic curriculum is not included. Training & Awareness Version Date: June 2011 Author: Chris Greaves 4

5 Baseline Assessment A baseline assessment drew on findings of a prior environmental audit as well as subsequent environmental inspections and a review of applicable legislation and regulation. It identified environmental aspects and impacts which fell into the three broad management fields of. 1. Sustainable resource use, energy use and transportation 2. Pollution prevention and control 3. Biodiversity management Management programs that target certain types of activity across the University are appropriate to address sustainability issues. Management programs for such pollution prevention and control generally need to target specific activities. For example, risks due to chemical storage in laboratories need management programs in those areas with laboratories. Some pollution impacts can be controlled in tandem with management of sustainability issues. For example, reducing carbon footprint from transport will also reduce pollution impacts. Item three (biodiversity) is associated with wildflower and tree planting, establishing habitats (eg log piles and bee hotels), landscaping, controlling new development and activities away from campus on Spen Farm, at the Outdoor Pursuit Centres and in some fieldwork. Again a management approach that targets these activities would be beneficial. From the perspective of potential environmental impacts the most significant aspects of University of Leeds activities are: Carbon management: energy management, sustainable design and construction, travel and transport and sustainable purchasing. Waste management: waste minimisation, recycling, diversion from landfill and waste tracking / duty of care. Bulk storage and handling of fuel oils and solvents: fuel tanks and bulk solvent stores. High risk substances: acquisition, storage, handling and waste streaming of hazardous, biological, radioactive and/or genetically modified materials. Biodiversity management: protection and, where possible, enhancement of key species, habitats and corridors. These aspects should form a basis for targeting initial and ongoing management plans under Training & Awareness Version Date: June 2011 Author: Chris Greaves 5

6 the EMS. An initial review of legislation and regulation identified forty four applicable items. Of these, the most significant in terms of direct relevance and impact at University of Leeds are: The Carbon Reduction Commitment under the Climate Change Act 2008 Environmental Protection (Duty of Care) Regulations 1991 and 2003 Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, 2003 and 2004 Control of Pollution (Oil Storage) Regulations 2001 Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005 and 2009 High-activity Sealed Radioactive Sources and Orphan Sources Regulations 2005 Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 Environmental Protection (Controls on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer) Regulations 2002 Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations 2007 and 2010 Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2006, 2009 and 2010 Waste Batteries and Accumulators Regulations 2009 Environmental Protection (Disposal of PCB s) Regulaions 2000 Environmental Permitting Regulations 2007, 2009 and 2010 (re exemptions) The document Phase 1, Stage 2: Baseline Assessment presents the significant aspects outlined above in the context of site history, an outline of activities, related environmental aspects, impacts, regulation and legislation and a review of existing management practices. Environmental Policy A review of the existing Environmental Policy 2006 found that it is appropriate for a formal EMS and it addresses the key findings of the baseline assessment. No amendments are proposed at this stage. The policy could be reviewed in future phases of EMS development. While the Environmental Policy is complete in terms of establishing aims and principles for the EMS it should be noted that some environmental topics are also relevant to the University s Energy Policy Waste and Recycling Policy Environmental Purchasing Policy Sustainable Food Policy Health and Safety Policy. Training & Awareness Version Date: June 2011 Author: Chris Greaves 6

7 Indicators The draft indicators proposed for monitoring how well the EMS addresses the aims of the Environmental Policy are: Quantity of energy used and quantity of carbon emitted from Scope 1 and scope 2 sources. Could be expanded to include scope 3. Recycling by source separation and at the waste management contractor s MRF as a percentage of how much the waste stream would weigh if recycling did not occur. Percentages of staff and student trips to/from university by mode including walking, cycling, public transport, single occupancy car and car share. Costs of hazardous, biological and radioactive material purchase, permitting, licensing and waste management. Departmental ratings based on pollution prevention and control items that are included in HASMAP health and safety audits for laboratories, workshops, chemical pesticide and oil stores and other high risk areas. A list of species based on ecological survey indicating any rare or endangered species and their location. This indicator is highly likely to change as Biodiversity management plans are developed. These are set out in detail along with background on targets and indicators established under the informal EMS in the document Phase 1, Stage 4: Developing Environmental Indicators. Implementation Plan As with any significant project a structured and realistic plan is needed with clear timescales and responsibilities for achieving stated goals. The current version of the implementation plan is based on Stage one accreditation in July 2011 Stage two and three accreditation in July 2012 Stage four and five accreditation and conversion to ISO14001 in July 2013 The Acorn Scheme s Progress Planning Spreadsheet provides the basis for the implementation plan. Training & Awareness Version Date: June 2011 Author: Chris Greaves 7

8 Phase 1, Stage 5: EMS Implementation Plan is a living document. As tasks are completed or as timescales are modified the spreadsheet is updated by the Environmental Protection Manager. If there are significant changes, the latest version is presented to the Sustainable Development Steering Group for their endorsement. Training and Awareness The EMS is likely to identify new training needs as a consequence of Environmental Management Plans developed and implemented from Phase 2 onwards. Examples could include training in the areas of waste management document control and environmental incident response. The training program should be developed into the University of Leeds training matrix format. The document Phase 1, Stage 6: Training, Awareness and Initiation of Culture Change establishes a draft format for training documentation, and outlines ongoing and planned training and awareness raising programs. Some examples are given below.: The Green Impact scheme gives staff and students access to an environmental awareness online learning and sharing environment that is specifically designed for universities. A Behavioural Change program will be launched in October It aims to create awareness of the Carbon Management Plan and targets and to encourage energy efficient behaviour on campus and in residences. The UTravelActive scheme promotes low carbon transport through more active travel modes such as walking and cycling. Programs are ongoing or planned in the areas of COSHH risk assessment, working with hazardous substances and hazardous waste packing. Continual Improvement A range of measures are ongoing or planned. A summary of key examples and how they fit into the three key management areas is shown in the diagram on the following page. Training & Awareness Version Date: June 2011 Author: Chris Greaves 8

9 Sustainable Development Program Transport Management Plan (examples) UtravelActive (250 bikes) Bike Hub maintenance/repair Travel Survey Green Fleet review Waste Management (examples) Food Composting Diversion of Residual Waste to MRF Waste Audits Furniture Reuse Scheme Furniture & Equipment Take Home Scheme Behavioural Change Campaign (examples) Green Impact Climate Week Carbon Management Communication Campaign Environmental Coordinators Energy Policy (examples) Carbon Management Plan Owl Project - promotes student energy saving Wood pellet fuelled boilers AEA Energy Survey Auto IT Powerdown Installation of energy metres Printing System Upgrade Sustainable Design and Construction (examples) Construction waste reduction commitment (50% by 2012) BREEAM & HEEPI standards Sustainable Purchasing (example) WRAP specifications for paper purchasing Pollution Prevention and Control Program (examples) Atkins Audit Biodiversity Management Program (examples) Biodiversity Action Plan Ecological Surveys Environmental Inspections and Action Plans Hazardous Materials Standard & Guidance Biological Materials Standard Outline map of how various actions Radiation Protection Standard & relate to the three key environmental Radioactive Source Inventory management areas. Note that the more Pollution control aspects of mature sustainability program has many HASMAP Inspections more actions in place or planned than the Pollution Prevention Training other Training two & management Awareness areas. Version Date: June 2011 Author: Chris Greaves 9