BPS - Sustainable Development Services

Sustainable Development Audit

A Sustainable Development Audit provides a quick assessment of present performance in relation to the three facets of Sustainable Development; Economic, Environmental and Social. It identifies areas of good practice and areas for improvement. A scoring system is used to determine relative performance. Areas for improvement are prioritised into an Action Plan. The audit covers:-

• Environmental policy
• EMS
• Waste
• Energy
• Transport
• Social
• Health & Safety
• ICT
• Economic

Environmental Audits

• Waste
• The Waste Audit assesses the type and quantity of waste generated, particularly identifying the waste that can be recycled. It looks at how the waste quantity could be reduced and reused, following the key principles of Waste Minimisation. Where more recycling can be undertaken, suitable contacts are provided to assist in collecting the materials in ways which allow easier recycling. The financial benefits are assessed and related to the impact on the increased profitability of the organisation. Any revised collection, storage and disposal processes are explained and introduced to ensure that the anticipated savings are made.

• Energy
• The Energy Audit assesses the energy usage over time to identify peaks and troughs. It considers alternative energy providers, good housekeeping, the climate change levy and the benefits available through the tax system. It examines a range of issues which impact on energy usage:-

  • Building insulation
  • Lighting systems
  • Heating systems
  • Equipment use
  • Heat recovery
  • Renewable Energy potential, solar, wind, biomass
  • Underground heating sources
• Transport
• The Transport Audit reviews exsiting transport practices, identifing where savings can be made across a range of opportunities:-

  • Logistics, seeking to maximise loads and reduce journey distances
  • Vehicle types
  • Driver performance
  • Alternative fuel vehicles
• Climate Change
• The Climate Change Audit assesses the impact of changing climate scenarios on the organisation  and how it might operate in the future. It considers:-

  • longer, hotter drier summers
  • milder wetter winters
  • worsening storm conditions with greater flooding and damage to infrastructure
  • rising sea levels and flooding
• It looks at the impact on related activities such as:-

water supply

built environment

natural environment and biodiversity

health

agriculture

business and industry

transport

tourism and leisure

 Environmental Management Systems

Environmental Management Systems can be as simple or as complex as required. Whilst bigger businesses have used the more structured ones with external verification, there is a greater need to tackle the larger SME market where simpler systems are needed. The proiority is to recognise that there is need for improvement and set about addressing the issues.

• Basic EMS
• An environmental management system can have a number of stages, which might include:-

  • management commitment
  • assessment of environmental impacts
  • legal compliance
  • significance testing
  • environmental risk management
  • objectives and target setting
  • roles and responsibilities
  • training and communication
  • audit and review
• BS 8555
• The British Standard is a type of basic EMS with external verification. It is aimed at Small, Medium Enterprises (SMEs), who are too small to undertake the bigger schemes. It covers six stages:-

  • commitment
  • legal compliance
  • objectives and targets
  • implementation
  • audit and review
  • EMS acknowledgement
• ISO 14001
• This European Standard provides a more rigorous investigation and evaluation of environmental impacts with external verification. It covers all the stages identified above.

• Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS)
• This further European Standard is voluntary in nature and is aimed at those organisations, who want to go beyond minimum legal compliance and want to seek continuous environmental improvement. Public Statements of performance enhance credibility and recognition.

Social Auditing and Accounting

Social auditing assesses the social impact of the organisation, both in terms of how it undertakes its activities and how it interacts with its community and the wider world: it considers the impact of the organisation on society. There are a number of tools to assist in the social auditing and accounting process such as Balanced Scorecard. The core principles which support social auditing and accounting are:-

• multiperspective, ensuring all stakeholders are heard
• comprehensive, reporting on all aspects of the organisation with clarity and open-ness
• regular reporting to establish social accounting in the culture of the organisation
• comparative review of performance year on year
• verification of accounts by independent auditor
• disclosure of findings to stakeholders and the wider community

Recycling Schemes

Recycling requires new ways of assembling and collecting waste materials. Some processes are in place for some materials, but performance is still poor. Areas where additional recycling support can be provided include:-

• Trade Waste
• Green waste
• Food waste
• Electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE)
• Tetrapak
• Plastics

Energy Saving Schemes

There is increasing pressure to set up renewable energy solutions such as wind, wave, solar and biomass. The economics are improving, but there are still difficulties to overcome. As electricity sources become less secure, the ability to operate your own supply will become more and more attractive. Small wind turbines, solar panels and biomass boilers are likely to grow in demand. However, the buildings that they serve need to be more energy efficient so that the renewable investment is not being wasted to atmosphere. Good roof and wall insulation is imperative, if the energy generated is to be used efficiently. Renewable energy schemes can be introduced for businesses, schools, householders and community groups.

Green Transport Schemes

Green transport schemes can be aimed at the organisation and its own fleet or at the travelling of its staff and customers. Considerable savings are to be made by reviewing existing practices and identifying areas for improvement. Ther may be some small cost in achieving greater savings, but often the savings simply require a slightly different way of working.