environmental management system manual · 2018. 12. 4. · the environmental management system...

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CHANGES TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM MANUAL

Ver. REASON FOR THE CHANGE Date

1.0 Created as part of Gold phase January 2012

1.1 Updated for platinum phase October 2012

2.0 Change of scope and specification of Document Management System

Inclusion of section describing EMS Review team within 3.1 Resources,

roles responsibility and authority.

January 2013

2.1 Update scope of EMS and addition of ‘Promoting Sustainable Food’

OCP –

September 2013

2.2 Change of legislation advisor to CEDREC; withdrawal of OCP 3.6.20

and inclusion of OCP’s 3.6.23 through to 3.6.27; insert updated

governance structure (Fig 2); insertion of separate section 3.5 to match

EMS.

October 2014

2.3 Updates throughout to reflect current practices and terminology January 2016

2.4 Updated to comply ISO14001:2015 and to reflect current practice January 2017

2018.1 Updated governance structure diagram (Fig 2) March 2018

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM MANUAL

Author: Peter Rands, Director of Sustainability Development

Approved by: EMS Working Group

Date: March 2018

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Updated 4.3 ‘Objectives, targets & programmes’ to ‘Governance,

Objectives and Targets’, and all other references

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INDEX

A. SCOPE 3

B. NORMATIVE REFERENCES 3

C. TERMS AND DEFINITIONS 4

D. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS 7

1. PLANNING 8

2. SUPPORT & OPERATION 8

2.1 Resources, roles & responsibilities 8

2.2 Competence, Training & Awareness 11

2.3 Communication 11

2.4 Documentation 11

2.5 Control of documents 14

2.6 Operational control 14

2.7 Emergency prep & response 14

3. PERFORMANCE EVALUATION

3.1 Monitoring and measurement 15

3.2 Evaluation of compliance 15

3.3 Nonconformity, corrective action and preventative action 15

3.4 Control of records 15

3.5 Internal audit 15

3.6 Management review 16

4. IMPROVEMENT 16

4.1 Legal & other requirements 16

4.2 Environmental aspects 16

4.3 Governance, objectives and targets 16

4.4 Environmental policy 17

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The aim of the Environmental Management System Manual (EMS Manual) is to explain

the core elements of the EMS and their interaction. The EMS Manual contains

information on the Canterbury Christ Church University’s activities, products and

services and the organisation’s management structure. It also acts as an index for

locating key documents (e.g. procedures) in accordance with the specifications of the

Scheme and ISO 14001. The EMS Manual shows the organisation’s capacity to comply

with its environmental policy and, along with supporting documents, serves as an

internal reference for staff.

A. SCOPE

The University is based in the historic city of Canterbury, with three other locations

throughout the beautiful county of Kent, being:

Medway Campus, Chatham Maritime

Broadstairs Campus, Broadstairs (Closing summer 2018)

Salomons Centre, Meadow Road, Tunbridge Wells

The scope of the EMS is that of a multi-site organisation encompassing campus

network sites at Broadstairs, Medway and Tunbridge Wells in addition to the

Canterbury Campus. The former prison grounds purchased in 2014 are considered

within the scope of the EMS as far as the university is able to control and influence

operations within the site and its development via the master-planning process.

The Environmental Management System (EMS) covers the buildings and land shown in

the site plans found in Records/Environmental history & plan of sites. The organisation

occupies some 55 buildings at 3 campuses. It has 1,700 employees and nearly 17,000

students.

University offers excellent teaching facilities in unique and inspiring locations. It is the

largest centre of higher education in Kent for the public services; notably teacher

training, nursing, policing, health and social care, and a significant provider of

programmes in a wide range of academic and professional areas.

More information about the University can be found on the website at:

http://www.canterbury.ac.uk/about-us/about-us.aspx

B. NORMATIVE REFERENCES

The EMS Manual has been written following the requirements of an EMS taking into

consideration the guidelines contained in regulations: EN ISO 14001:2015

“Environmental management systems – Requirements with guidance for use” and “BS

EN ISO 14004:2016 Environmental management systems – General guidelines on

implementation”.

http://www.canterbury.ac.uk/about-us/about-us.aspx

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C. TERMS AND DEFINITIONS

The definitions for the most frequently used terms used in the EMS documentation:

Terms related to planning

- Environment

Surroundings in which an organization operates, including air, water, land,

natural resources, flora, fauna, humans and their interrelationships

Surroundings can extend from within an organization to the local, regional and

global system. Surroundings can be described in terms of biodiversity,

ecosystems, climate or other characteristics.

- Environmental aspect

Element of an organization’s activities or products or services that interacts or

can interact with the environment An environmental aspect can cause (an)

environmental impact(s). A significant environmental aspect is one that has or

can have one or more significant environmental impact(s). Significant

environmental aspects are determined by the organization applying one or more criteria.

- Environmental condition

State or characteristic of the environment as determined at a certain point in

time

- Environmental impact

Change to the environment, whether adverse or beneficial, wholly or partially

resulting from an organization’s environmental aspects

- Objective

Result to be achieved. An objective can be strategic, tactical, or operational.

Objectives can relate to different disciplines (such as financial, health and safety,

and environmental goals) and can apply at different levels (such as strategic,

organization-wide, project, product, service and process. An objective can be

expressed in other ways, e.g. as an intended outcome, a purpose, an

operational criterion, as an environmental objective, or by the use of other

words with similar meaning (e.g. aim, goal, or target).

- Environmental objective

Objective set by the organization consistent with its environmental policy

- Prevention of pollution

Use of processes, practices, techniques, materials, products, services or energy

to avoid, reduce or control (separately or in combination) the creation,

emission or discharge of any type of pollutant or waste, in order to reduce

adverse environmental impacts. Prevention of pollution can include source

reduction or elimination; process, product or service changes; efficient use of

resources; material and energy substitution; reuse; recovery; recycling,

reclamation; or treatment.

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- Requirement

need or expectation that is stated, generally implied or obligatory. “Generally

implied” means that it is custom or common practice for the organization and

interested parties that the need or expectation under consideration is implied.

A specified requirement is one that is stated, for example in documented information. Requirements other than legal requirements become obligatory

when the organization decides to comply with them.

- Compliance obligations (preferred term)

legal requirements that an organization has to comply with and other

requirements that an organization has to or chooses to comply with.

Compliance obligations are related to the environmental management system.

Compliance obligations can arise from mandatory requirements, such as

applicable laws and regulations, or voluntary commitments, such as

organizational and industry standards, contractual relationships, codes of

practice and agreements with community groups or non-governmental

organizations.

- Risk

effect of uncertainty. An effect is a deviation from the expected — positive or

negative. Uncertainty is the state, even partial, of deficiency of information

related to, understanding or knowledge of, an event, its consequence, or

likelihood. Risk is often characterized by reference to potential “events” (as

defined in ISO Guide 73:2009, 3.5.1.3) and “consequences” (as defined in ISO

Guide 73:2009, 3.6.1.3), or a combination of these. Risk is often expressed in

terms of a combination of the consequences of an event (including changes in

circumstances) and the associated “likelihood” (as defined in ISO Guide

73:2009, 3.6.1.1) of occurrence.

- Risks and Opportunities

Potential adverse effects (threats) and potential beneficial effects

(opportunities)

Terms related to support and operation

- Competence

Ability to apply knowledge and skills to achieve intended results

- Documented information

Information required to be controlled and maintained by an organisation and

the medium on which it is contained. Documented information can be in any format and media, and from any source. Documented information can refer to:

o The environmental management system, including related processes,

o Information created in order for the organization to operate (can be

referred to as documentation),

o Evidence of results achieved (can be referred to as records).

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- Life cycle

Consecutive and interlinked stages of a product (or service) system, from raw

material acquisition or generation from natural resources to final disposal. The

life cycle stages include: acquisition of raw materials, design, production,

transportation/ delivery, use, end-of-life treatment and final disposal.

- Outsource (verb)

Make an arrangement where an external organization performs part of an

organization’s function or process. An external organization is outside the

scope of the management system, although the outsourced function or process

is within the scope.

- Process

Set of interrelated or interacting activities which transforms inputs into

outputs. A process can be documented or not.

Terms related to performance evaluation and improvement

- Audit

Systematic, independent and documented process for obtaining audit evidence

and evaluating it objectively to determine the extent to which the audit criteria

are fulfilled. An internal audit is conducted by the organization itself, or by an

external party on its behalf. Note 2 to entry: An audit can be a combined audit

(combining two or more disciplines). Independence can be demonstrated by

the freedom from responsibility for the activity being audited or freedom from

bias and conflict of interest.

“Audit evidence” consists of records, statements of fact or other information

which are relevant to the audit criteria and are verifiable; and “audit criteria”

are the set of policies, procedures or requirements used as a reference against

which audit evidence is compared, as defined in ISO 19011:2011, 3.3 and 3.2

respectively.

- Conformity

Fulfilment of a requirement

- Nonconformity

Non-fulfilment of a requirement. Nonconformity relates to requirements in

ISO 14001:2015 and additional environmental management system

requirements that an organization establishes for itself.

- Corrective action

Action to eliminate the cause of a nonconformity and to prevent recurrence

- Continual improvement

Recurring activity to enhance performance. Enhancing performance relates to

the use of the environmental management system to enhance environmental

performance consistent with the organization’s environmental policy. The

activity need not take place in all areas simultaneously, or without interruption.

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- Effectiveness

Extent to which planned activities are realized and planned results achieved

- Indicator

Measurable representation of the condition or status of operations,

management or conditions

- Monitoring

Determining the status of a system, a process or an activity. To determine the

status, there might be a need to check, supervise or critically observe.

- Measurement

Process to determine a value

- Performance

Measurable result. Performance can relate either to quantitative or qualitative

findings. Performance can relate to the management of activities, processes,

products (including services), systems or organizations.

- Environmental performance

Performance related to the management of environmental aspects. For an

environmental management system, results can be measured against the

organization’s environmental policy, environmental objectives or other criteria,

using indicators.

D. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

The EMS is fully functional and meets the following requirements:

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- Planning

The organisation has secured senior management endorsement of the

Environmental Policy and resources are made available for the implementation

of the EMS. An initial baseline environmental review is conducted to investigate

current activities and associated impacts. Training needs are identified and activities are initiated.

- Support and Operation

Resources are in place and roles, responsibility and authority are assigned.

Training is conducted and competence assessed, communication is addressed

and all EMS documentation is controlled. Operations are also controlled and a

clear emergency preparedness and response programme is in operation.

- Performance Evaluation

Audit procedures are in place to verify that the environmental policy and the

objectives and targets are being fulfilled. Non-conformities are identified and

corrective and preventive actions implemented. Top management check, at

planned intervals, that the EMS is functioning effectively and that continual

improvement is being achieved, risks and opportunities are identified and

addressed.

- Improvement

The organisation’s environmental aspects and compliance obligations are

identified and environmental programmes established to meet the objectives

and targets set. The environmental policy gives the organisation’s commitment

to compliance with legal and other requirements, continual environmental

improvement and committing to going above and beyond the simple prevention

of pollution in a public statement.

1. PLANNING

Procedure 1.1.1 General requirements; explains how to establish, document,

implement, maintain and continually improve the university’s EMS in accordance with

the requirements of the International Standard EN ISO 14001:2015. It explains how

the organisation meets the requirements of the standard. It defines and documents the

scope of the EMS.

2. SUPPORT & OPERATION

2.1 Resources, roles responsibility and authority

Procedure 2.1.1 Resources, roles, responsibility & authority; explains the method used to assign roles, responsibility and authority. The individuals and committees

responsible for implementing the EMS are shown in fig.1. An overview of the whole

Sustainability governance structure is shown in fig.2. The details of the roles and

responsibilities associated with the EMS are as follows:

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Fig. 1: A flow chart showing those responsible for the organisation’s EMS.

Key Operational Managers and Staff

Management Review Committee

(Sustainability Strategic Management Group)

EMS Working Group

All Relevant Staff

Suppliers/Contractors

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Fig. 2: The Sustainability governance structure.

Leadership - Sustainability Strategic Management Group (Top managers and the EMS

Manager)

- Maintain oversight of accountability for the effectiveness of the EMS

- Ensure the integration of the environmental management system requirements into

the university’s business processes;

- Communicating the importance of effective environmental management and of

conforming to the environmental management system requirements

- Secure the resources required to maintain the EMS.

- Ensure the EMS is established, implemented and maintained.

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- Monitor the performance of the EMS.

- Establish, review and revise the organisation’s environmental policy, objectives and

other elements of the EMS.

- Directing and supporting persons to contribute to the effectiveness of the

environmental management system;

- Promoting continual improvement;

- Supporting other relevant management roles to demonstrate their leadership as it

applies to their areas of responsibility.

- Identify and act upon Risks and Opportunities

EMS Manager and EMS Coordinator

- Represent the environmental programme at Sustainability Strategic Management

Group meetings.

- Coordinate and lead the membership of the institution’s Sustainability governance

structure.

- Identifies and prioritises environmental aspects and impacts.

- Coordinate the setting of objectives and targets through relevant Working Groups

of the SSMG.

- Ensures that appropriate roles, responsibility and authority are assigned.

- Assists in the identification and delivery of environmental training

- Provides internal and external communications.

- Compiles, updates, approves, controls, stores and distributes documents related to

the EMS

- Ensures all relevant legislation and requirements are identified, listed and updated.

- Maintains a check on whether institution complies with relevant legislation and

requirements via the internal audit process and OCP development.

- Organises the programme of internal audits and management reviews.

- Ensures internal EMS auditors are appropriately trained.

- Reports to the Sustainability Strategic Management Group on the functioning of the

EMS.

- Revises procedures, instructions and other EMS documentation.

- Coordinates external audits as required.

EMS Working Group

This group comprises the EMS Manager, EMS Coordinator, Lead Internal Auditor and

any other auditors that are available

The team meets on a regular basis to:

- Discuss the implementation and maintenance of the EMS.

- Devise and promote initiatives to inform interested parties about the EMS.

Sustainability Strategic Management Group

This group comprises the EMS Manager, the chairs of all working groups, and other

relevant senior managers (e.g. the Director of Marketing and the Director of Finance).

It meets 4 times per year, including once as the EMS Management review committee.

Staff

Specific staff will:

- Liaise with suppliers and contractors to ensure that they meet the organisation’s

environmental requirements.

- Provide the EMS Manager and the EMS Working Group with appropriate

operational control records.

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Suppliers/Contractors Providing Outsourced Processes

- The organisation’s suppliers/contractors should satisfy the Responsible Persons and

key operational staff, who are able to control and influence them, that they are

conforming to the relevant legislative and other requirements.

- Provide the key management and operational staff with appropriate operational

control records.

The Responsible Persons communicate the description of roles and responsibilities to

all relevant staff through annual appraisals. All signed descriptions of the roles and

responsibilities, and appraisal documents are then stored by the relevant manager

within their own confidential filing system.

2.2 Competence, training and awareness

Procedure 2.2.1 Competence, training and awareness; explains how environmental

training is managed. The EMS Manager and individuals within the EMS Working Group

identifies people performing tasks for, or on behalf of, the institution that have the

potential to cause significant environmental impacts. This includes those associated

with the institution’s environmental aspects and EMS. Their competence is assessed at appointment and reviewed through the University’s annual appraisal process to

establish whether they have the appropriate education, training or experience to

undertake their role within the EMS. If deficiencies are identified via the audit process

the EMS Manager or individuals within the EMS working group instigates a programme

of relevant training, or takes other action, to address these deficiencies.

2.3 Communication

The organisation uses procedure 2.3.1 Communication; to ensure that internal and

external communications, relating to the EMS, are dealt with appropriately. It describes

how to receive, document and respond to communications with interested parties. All

communication records are located in folder Records/Communication.

2.4 Documentation

Procedure 2.4.1 Documentation; describes the method used to control EMS

documented information. The Document Management System is held on the intranet

‘Blackboard’ document repository and is mirrored on a shared drive for contingency

purposes. Various documents are used to ensure the effective operation of the EMS,

namely:

EMS Manual

This is the overarching controlled document of the EMS, which explains how the

environmental programme operates in accordance with the Scheme and ISO 14001.

EMS Procedures

These are controlled documents describing how tasks are undertaken.

Procedure 2.5.1 Control of documents describes how EMS documents are classified

and managed. It also explains how procedures are written, approved, revised and

controlled.

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The current version of all EMS procedures can be found in their respective folder in

the document management system. All obsolete copies of procedures are archived by

the EMS Coordinator and held within the document management system.

The document management system is structured and numbered in line with the

structure of this EMS manual for ease of use and reference, making it particularly easy

to find documents for internal and external auditing purposes.

Fig. 3: The structure of the document management system.

1. Planning

1.1.1 General requirements

PESTLE Analysis

2. Support and Operation

2.1 Resources, roles, responsibility & authority

2.1.1 Resources, roles, responsibility & authority

2.2 Competence, training & awareness

2.2.1 Competence, training & awareness

2.3 Communication

2.3.1 Communication

2.4 Documentation

2.4.1 Documented Information

2.5 Control of documents

2.5.1 Control of documents

2.6 Operational control

2.6.1 Operational control

2.6.2 Carbon Management Programme

2.6.3 Construction Refurbishment and Demolition

2.6.4 Waste Management and Recycling programme WITHDRAWN

2.6.5 Promotion & Protection of Biodiversity

2.6.6 Controlled Waste Management

2.6.7 Disposal of Effluent

2.6.8 Hazardous and WEEE Waste Management

2.6.9 Consumption of Water

2.6.10 Noise and Nuisance Management

2.6.11 Prevention of Pollution to Ground and Controlled Waters

2.6.12 Asbestos Management

2.6.13 Control of Smoking on University Premises

2.6.14 Fire Emergency Procedure WITHDRAWN

2.6.15 Travel

2.6.16 Educations for Sustainable Futures

2.6.17 Grounds Management Procedure

2.6.18 Control of Purchasing

2.6.19 Control of Car Parking

2.6.20 Community Engagement WITHDRAWN

2.6.21 Sustainability Engagement

2.6.22 Promoting Sustainable Food

2.6.23 Use, storage and disposal of chemicals SMAD Broadstairs

2.6.24 Sustainable Campus Network Development

2 .6.25 Fume Cupboard and Local Exhaust Ventilation Testing and Operation

2 .6.26 Storage, Use & Disposal of Refrigerant Gases

2.6.27 Hazardous waste – Disposal of chemicals WITHDRAWN

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2.6.28 Use, Storage and Disposal of Chemicals - Forensic Science

2.6.29 Use, Storage and Disposal of GM Materials

2.6.30 Use, Storage and Disposal of Chemicals and other hazardous materials

- The School of Human and Life Sciences

2.6.31 Use, storage & disposal of chemicals - Housekeeping

2.6.32 Use, storage & disposal of chemicals – 21 New Dover Road

2.6.33 Use Storage & Disposal of Chemicals - Augustine Arts & Sidney

Cooper Centres

2.6.34 Use, storage & disposal of chemicals – Animation WITHDRAWN

2.6.35 Use, Storage and Disposal of Estates Chemicals

2.6.36 Hazardous and WEEE Waste Management - Medway campus

2.6.37 2.6.37 - Use, storage & disposal of chemicals & hazardous materials -

Screen Printing, Broadstairs

2.6.38 Hazardous and WEEE Waste Management Broadstairs

2.7 Emergency preparedness & response

2.7.1 Emergency preparedness & response

2.7.2 Emergency Spill Response Procedure

3. Performance Evaluation

3.1 Monitoring & measurement.

3.1.1 Monitoring & measurement

3.1.2 Monitoring waste

3.1.3 Monitoring energy, carbon & transport

3.1.4 Monitoring other aspects

3.2 Evaluation of compliance

3.2.1 Evaluation of compliance

3.3 Nonconformity, corrective action & preventive action

3.3.1 Nonconformity, corrective action & preventive action

3.4 Control of records

3.4.1 Control of records

3.5 Internal audit

3.5.1 Internal audit

3.6 Management review

3.6.1 Management review

4. Improvement

4.1 Legal & other requirements

4.1.1 Legal & other requirements

4.2 Environmental aspects

4.2.1 Environmental aspects

4.3 Governance, objectives and targets

4.3.1 Governance, objectives and targets

4.4 Environmental policy

4.4.1 Environmental policy

5. EMS Manual

5.1.1 EMS Manual

Forms

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Internal Audit Form

Operational Control Procedure Form

Corrective & Preventative Action Request form.doc

Corrective & Preventative Action Tracking Log form.doc

Audit Plan Notification.doc

Environmental Incident Report form.doc

Records

Aspects & impacts register

Governance, bjectives and targets

Compliance obligations register

Roles & responsibilities

Register of Stakeholders

Audit

Corrective actions

Management review

Communication

Training

Monitoring & measurement

Site Impact Plans

Emergency preparedness & response

Miscellaneous

Report

FOLDERS are in aqua

PROCEDURES are in blue

FORMS are in plum

2.5 Control of documents

Procedure 2.5.1 Control of documents; describes how documents are created,

controlled and located in order to effectively implement the institution’s

Environmental Management System (EMS) and conform to the requirements of the

scheme.

2.6 Operational control

Procedure 2.6.1 Operational control; describes how the organisation’s operations are

controlled. Detailed operational procedures are used to ensure that all activities are

correctly carried out and monitored. These documents are used to reduce the

environmental impacts of all the processes associated with the organisation’s significant

environmental aspects and to ensure compliance with relevant environmental

legislation. All operational control procedures developed are located in folder 2.6 of

the document management system.

2.7 Emergency preparedness and response

Procedure 2.7.1 Emergency preparedness and response; explains how the organisation

prepares for and deals with environmental accidents and emergencies. It ensures that

the response minimises the effects on the health of staff and the environment. The

organisation reviews, revises and periodically tests this procedure and supporting

documents.

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3. PERFORMANCE EVALUATION

3.1 Monitoring and measurement

Procedure 3.1.1 Monitoring and measurement; outlines how the organisation monitors

and measures processes that have a significant impact on the environment and are

associated with the functioning of the EMS. Individual procedures are defined for

monitoring Waste (3.1.2), Energy, Carbon and Transport (3.1.3) and Other Aspects

(3.1.4). Each procedure outlines the location of associated monitoring records.

3.2 Evaluation of compliance

Procedure 3.2.1 Evaluation of compliance; details the methods used to ensure that all

relevant people comply with applicable legal and other requirements.

3.3 Nonconformity, corrective action and preventive action

Procedure 3.3.1 Nonconformity, corrective action and preventive action; defines the

responsibility and authority for investigating and remedying non-conformances. This

procedure includes:

- Identification of the causes of the non-conformances.

- Analysis of the causes of the non-conformances to avoid any repetition.

- Actions to implement the necessary corrective actions.

- Assessment of the effectiveness of the corrective and preventive actions.

A blank Corrective and Preventative Action Request Form is stored in folder ‘Forms’

on the Document Management system and completed forms are stored in folder

Records/Corrective actions in the document management system.

3.4 Control of records

Records are a fundamental part of the EMS. Procedure 3.4.1 Control of records;

describes how they are created and controlled. All EMS system records are held in the

document management system in folder Records in the document management

system.

3.5 Internal audit

Audits are periodically conducted to assess the effectiveness of the EMS. Procedure

3.5.1 Internal audit explains:

- The clauses to be audited.

- The areas to be audited.

- The frequency of audits.

- The responsibilities associated with managing and directing audits.

- The training of internal auditors.

- The communication of audit results.

- The review of the audit findings.

Internal or external auditors carry out audits. All the audit records are stored in

Records/Audit in the document management system.

3.6 Management review

Procedure 3.6.1 Management review; describes the method used by top management

to review audit findings. Management reviews serve to maintain constant improvement

and ensure the EMS is adequate and effective.

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The Management Review Committee is chaired by the SMT Lead with responsibility

for sustainability. It reviews and assesses the EMS at least once a year with reference

to audit results, changes in legislation and the views of interested parties. Minutes of

these meetings are taken and circulated to members of the Management Review

Committee. Copies of these minutes are filed in the document management system in

folder Records/Management review.

4. IMPROVEMENT

4.1 Legal and other requirements

Procedure 4.1.1 Legal and other requirements; describes the method used, and

identifies those responsible for, identifying, accessing, reviewing and updating legal and

other regulatory requirements. The organisation subscribes to CEDREC which

provides regular updates of environment legislation. Each Responsible Person assesses

the implications of relevant legislation and regulations for the organisation. The Legal

Register and all other legal records are located in folder Records/Legal register in the

document management system.

4.2 Environmental aspects

Procedure 4.2.1 Environmental aspects; explains how the organisation’s environmental

aspects are identified, recorded and updated and their associated impacts documented.

It sets out the responsibilities and methodology to follow for identifying and

determining those environmental aspects that have or may have a significant impact on

the environment.

The following review areas are addressed: construction and refurbishment;

engagement; emissions and discharges; energy and water; health, welfare and safety;

environmental management systems; policy; procurement; transport; waste

management and curriculum.

The University Aspects Impact Assessment Tool is used to assess the significance of

each aspect using a methodology developed from the University rick management

process. The ranked Aspects & Impacts Register is located in the ‘Records/Aspects &

Impacts register’ folder, in the document management system.

4.3 Governance, objectives and targets

The procedure 4.3.1 Governance, Objectives and Targets; describes how the

organisation oversees and determines its environmental objectives and targets for

reducing its impacts on the environment. Each objective has at least one or more

measurable targets for improvement with time-scales.

The EMS Working Group and the working groups that make up the ‘the sustainability

governance structure’ (fig 2. Section 2.1) annually establish the organisation’s

environmental objectives based on:

- the organisation’s environmental policy;

- requirements of the EMS;

- compliance objectives;

- significant environmental aspects;

- revisions of the EMS;

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- technological options;

- financial and operational requirements;

- the views of interested parties.

The objectives and targets are listed on a spreadsheet along with the environmental

management programme. The EMS Manager, EMS Working Group and the

Sustainability Strategic Management Group are responsible for establishing,

implementing and maintaining the programme to meet the targets.

This procedure also describes the programmes used to fulfil the organisation’s

objectives and targets. The EMS Manager and the EMS Working Group, review the

objectives and targets annually with reference to audit findings.

4.4 Environmental policy

The environmental policy procedure explains how the organisation’s environmental

policy is written and revised. This procedure and the organisation’s current

environmental policy are located in folder 2.4 Environmental policy in the document

management system. The organisation wishes to incorporate good environmental

practices into all areas of the business. To achieve this, top management is committed

to implementing an EMS that conforms to the requirements of the Scheme and ISO

14001. This will continually improve the organisation’s environmental performance,

ensure legal compliance and prevent pollution.

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