NOCS has been implementing an environmental management system to help manage its environmental risks and reduce its environmental impact over the past two years. This has been a team effort and Professor Ed Hill sent out the following note to staff at the Centre last week to mark this major achievement.
“I would like to congratulate everyone involved in achieving the recommendation that NOCS bed accredited to the environmental management system (ISO14001 standard). This project began nearly 18 months ago in which Andrew Roberts took the lead on behalf of the Executive Board and Lewis Rennison and Neil Smith led the implementation group.
“I know that many staff have a strong interest and commitment to sustainable environmental management and a set of ‘interviews’ with a random selection of staff was an important aspect of the assessment process to test wider commitment throughout the organisation – so this is very much the achievement of the whole body of staff. The achievement cannot be underestimated. Two years ago we had serious concerns about our legal compliance in some key areas of environmental management – let alone aspiring to lead in good practice. It is a tribute to all concerned to have made such a turnaround.
“It is very rare for organisations in the higher education sector to have ISO14001 which makes it a rather distinctive selling point as both students and our research customers become increasingly aware, and possibly selective, on the basis of good environmental management practice.
“ISO14001 is not a one-off award, but represents the beginning of what needs to be an ongoing process of continual improvement and innovation in environmental management. The award does not mean we have achieved a pinnacle of perfection and a number of weaknesses have been identified that we will need to work on. What it does recognise, however, is a commitment to continual improvement based on some sound business processes – achieving the accreditation is in many ways easier than keeping it!
“Congratulations to all involved and we look forward to your continuing enthusiasm and support for NOCS as an organisation working to reduce its environmental impact.”
Ed Hill