The University is implementing an Environmental Management System (EMS) following the EcoCampus model.
An EMS provides a systematic way for the University to manage its activities to minimise harm to the environment from, for example, chemical spillages or waste production.
EcoCampus was designed for use by universities and breaks down the implementation into four phases: Bronze (Planning), Silver (Implementation), Gold (Operating) and Platinum (Checking & Correcting). Platinum is equivalent to the International Standard for Environmental Management Systems, ISO14001.
We started implementing our EMS in October 2011 and achieved the Bronze award in March 2012. On Friday 14th December 2012 we were audited by EcoCampus to see if we had met the requirements for the Silver award. These requirements were:
- Demonstration of legal compliance
- Identification and prioritisation of environmental aspects and impacts (our environmental risk register)
- Identification of objectives, targets and the programme of measures to improve our environmental performance and ensure high risk activities are properly managed
- Review of our Environmental & Sustainability Policy
The auditor confirmed we had met the requirements and had achieved the Silver award.
So now we start on the Gold stage. This consists of:
- Identifying resources, roles and responsibilities
- Identifying competence, training and awareness requirements
- Ensuring operational controls, emergency preparation and response plans are in place
- Demonstrating good communication
- Documenting procedures
To date, a relatively small number of staff have been involved in helping implement the EMS. Gold is the Operating stage and so will require integration of the EMS into our business processes. However, as managing activities to prevent accidents and protect human health will also protect the environment, we see the EMS implementation as complementary to the health and safety processes that are already in place.
Please contact Dr Neil Smith (Environment Manager, [email protected]) or Adam Tewkesbury (Transport Manager, [email protected]) if you would like to know more about EcoCampus.
You can also find information about the scheme on the sustainability website (southampton.likn.co/sustainability).