Erskine | Documents

Environmental policy

Policy context

Growing international concern about increasing pressures on the global environment have led Erskine to adopt and adhere to the following policy. We take it very seriously.

Erskine resolves to: “promote the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources, to minimise environmental pollution, and to promote the development and maintenance of sustainable economies and communities in all of its activities and through its influence over others.

Erskine will continue to review programmes and services and to undertake to act wherever possible to meet best environmental practices.”

This environmental policy is supported by, and makes a contribution to, delivering those commitments. This policy recognises that Erskine can contribute to a better quality of life and sustainable development by promoting and integrating the protection of the environment into its services and activities so that natural processes and systems are respected.

Policy aim

Erskine aims to set an example in caring for the environment by continually improving its environmental performance across its operations.

Principles

Two guiding principles will be applied when in seeking to achieve this aim:

A. Aim to conserve natural resources and reduce pollution by:

• Minimising the use of energy, water, wood, paper and other resources - particularly those which are scarce or non renewable - while still providing a safe and comfortable working environment
• Reducing waste through re-use and recycling and by using refurbished and recycled products and materials where such alternatives are available
• Ensuring, where practicable, that buildings occupied by Erskine are designed, constructed and operated to improve their environmental performance
• Monitoring discharges and emissions and assessing actions required to reduce pollution
• Phasing out ozone depleting substances and minimising the release of greenhouse gases, volatile organic compounds, vehicle emissions and other substances damaging to health and the environment

B. Aim to encourage best practice by:

• Applying recognised standards when purchasing goods and services
• Communicating openly with staff and the local community about environmental policies and best practice (including best available scientific advice) and co-operating with others in the public and private sectors to develop and promote environmentally sound practices
• Developing and maintaining, where significant hazards exist, emergency procedures for effectively dealing with them and limiting the risk to health and the environment
• Meeting all relevant current and foreseen statutory regulations and official codes of practice and specifying contractors do the same when working for Erskine

Energy

Climate change is now seen as a threat to sustainable development. Burning of fossils fuels releases carbon, a gas blamed for global warming. While the consumption of fossil fuels for heating, cooling and lighting of buildings and facilities by Erskine may be small, it is recognised that reducing energy consumption and maximising energy efficiency are important considerations in all areas of business.

Erskine will aim to:

• Buy energy efficient equipment which achieves value for money
• Seek to introduce new techniques and technologies for using energy more efficiently without loss to productivity or comfort
• Seek to reduce energy consumption in our buildings
• Seek to secure its electricity supply from a provider that can guarantee that it has generated a proportion of its energy from renewable sources
• Support, in principle, the generation of electricity locally from renewable sources (such as small wind turbines and other developing technologies e.g. photo-voltaic cells).

Waste

Waste disposal whether by landfill or incineration contributes to global and local environmental problems. Recycling reduces the demand for landfill sites and avoids contamination of land and water by minimising environmentally damaging wastes and discharges.

Erskine will aim to:

• Reduce the amount solid waste produced from its operations
• Encourage all staff to practice the ‘3 R’s’ i.e. reduce, re-use and recycle
• Deal with waste in accordance with legal requirements and best practice
• Ensure that key staff are aware of legal requirements and best practice for waste disposal
• Reduce the use of paper, e.g. by maximising the use of alternative technologies and electronic media.

Purchasing

Integrating environmental considerations into purchasing policy is a high priority. This process must not compromise compliance with Finance Regulations and recognise general procurement directives, to achieve value for money, ensure that goods are fit for service and that they can be procured in a timely manner.

Erskine will aim to:

• Take account of whole life costs, and not just the initial price, when assessing value for money (e.g. by asking suppliers to provide relevant environmental impact information)
• Specify recycled or biodegradable products and re-refined mineral oils where practicable and where they provide value for money taking account of whole life costs
• Recognise the European Commission’s energy labelling scheme by giving preference to the most energy efficient products where they give value for money taking account of whole life costs
• Make use of environmental labels issued through recognised eco-labelling schemes to help identify environmentally preferable products (i.e. those with a low environmental impact over their life cycle)
• Check the environmental performance and credentials of suppliers and tenderers when relevant to the contract
• Seek to purchase from local suppliers and producers where practicable and where they provide value for money taking account of whole life costs
• Ensure that no products are purchased which contain chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) hydro chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), halons, carbon tetrachloride, 111 trichloroethane, or any other ozone-depleting substances where suitable alternatives exist
• Purchase sustainably produced timber and timber products by specifying, wherever practical in orders and contracts that suppliers provide documentary evidence that the timber has been lawfully obtained from forests and plantations which are managed to sustain their biodiversity, productivity and vitality
• Ensure that, wherever practical, timber purchases are in accordance with international agreements such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
• Consider buying reclaimed timber or products made from reclaimed timber where it is cost effective and practicable to do so
• Seek to purchase recycled paper comprising genuine post-consumer waste.

Estate management

All building alterations and new constructions must comply with building regulations. When developing, planning, managing and maintaining its buildings, structures, lands and grounds it is vital that Erskine also recognises that it must set a high standard environmental performance.

Building management

Erskine will aim to:

• Assert sustainability as a vital component in architectural, engineering and design contracts
• Encourage design priorities for environmental quality, for example using natural energy flows and passive systems for heating and cooling and maximising opportunities for integrating natural and artificial lighting
• Stipulate the use of climate responsive and non-toxic building materials and consider the use of recycled materials where appropriate, practicable and cost effective
• Encourage building design that reflects local and regional features and forms
• Create buildings which do not burden future generations with onerous running and maintenance costs
• Utilise local skills, labour and resources where practicable
• Minimise the use of hazardous substances and ensure that hazardous substances are stored, used and disposed of in accordance with legislation and best practice
• Encourage the use of building materials, furnishings etc which are low emitters of formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds and other potentially hazardous substances
• Check for the presence of asbestos in all buildings and manage undamaged asbestos materials in situ by regular monitoring for signs of deterioration and, where there is deterioration, to seal, encapsulate and label it as appropriate. Where asbestos materials are being replaced, that asbestos free materials be used and that any action to remove and dispose of asbestos materials, is in accordance with relevant regulations and guidance
• Reduce the use by staff and contractors of products containing potentially harmful solvents where they can be eliminated or replaced by low-solvent, or solvent-free products such as water or vegetable-based paints, varnishes and glues
• Undertake environmental assessments when planning new or substantially refurbished premises, for example, Building Research Establishment’s Environmental Appraisal Method (BREEAM)
• Introduce high standards of energy and environmental management within structures and buildings
• Consider advice on best practice given in guidance such as the Building Research Establishments and Energy Technology Support Units best practice programmes.

Grounds and land management

Erskine will aim to:

• Substitute the use of all slow renewables such as peat with organic wastes such as compost, manure, leaf mould, and bark chips
• Maintain any estate grounds by using good husbandry and encouraging native flora and fauna
• Keep grounds clear of litter and refuse
• Maintain biodiversity and, where possible, enhance the conservation of species and habitats, especially with respect to national priorities set out in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan
• Ensure that land owned or leased by Erskine does not pose an actual or potential risk to visitors and staff e.g. from contamination of the soil, ground water and surface water, hazards in structures and buildings and building materials and the migration of gas
• Minimise the use of pesticides and artificial fertilisers, e.g. by switching to natural methods of controlling weeds, insects and fungal pathogens wherever practicable.

Transport

Energy-efficient vehicles are essential for sustainable transport. Increases in traffic have serious consequences for all of us. Promoting the efficient use of existing means of transport can reduce congestion and pollution that comes from commuting, official travel, fleet management, visitors and deliveries from commercial vehicles and is critical to maintaining the environment.

Erskine will aim to:

• Consider the impact on the environment of its vehicle fleet and include performance comparisons as a factor in cost effectiveness
• Develop a Green Transport Plan
• Review staff travel and subsistence rules and mileage rates as a further means of encouraging staff to consider forms of travel and communication which are less polluting than cars such as walking, cycling, public transport, tele-working and video-conferencing.

Responsibility

Responsibility for integrating environmental considerations into the operations of Erskine is taken by the relevant director within Erskine (Simon Campbell). The corporate and business plans produced by Erskine will reflect this policy. All staff and contractors are required to follow the principles of this policy and any relevant guidance to assist Erskine to meet its overall aim.

Monitoring and auditing

Erskine will aim to ensure that the practice of its staff, contractors and suppliers is consistent with this statement.