Author: admin

ESOS

ESOS

4th January 20156th August 2017 By admin Comment Closed

Energy Saving Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) Legislation requiring large companies to audit their energy to identify energy and carbon reductions affects up to 10,000 businesses in the UK. Under the Energy Saving Opportunity Scheme (ESOS), ‘large enterprises’ must carry out comprehensive audits of all their energy usage, including transport. These must be done every four years, with the first completed and reported to the regulator by December 2015. Audits must be carried out by an approved Lead ESOS Assessor. ‘Large enterprises’ cover any Non-SME, i.e. that has >250 employees or an annual turnover >€50 million & balance sheet >€43 million. Includes companies, partnerships and unincorporated associations, though not the Public Sector. Smaller companies part of a larger corporate group may also have to comply. Although each audit will result in a set of energy saving recommendations, the business is not obliged to follow them up. DECC estimates that ESOS could save each business an average of £56,400 per year. So this is all...

ISO 50001 in 12 months

ISO 50001 in 12 months

1st November 20145th August 2017 By admin Comment Closed

Get ISO 50001 in time for ESOS So you need ISO 50001 certification in just 12 months? The Energy Saving Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) requires large businesses (>250 employees or turnover >€50m turnover) to carry out audits of all their energy usage. One route to compliance is an Energy Management System (EnMS) certified to ISO 50001. But given the Dec 2015 deadline for reporting ESOS compliance, is it possible to implement an EnMS and get it certified to ISO 50001 in time? Well for those companies that already have a management system in place, it should be possible. If you have an ISO 9001 Quality or ISO 14001 Environmental Management System then you already have over half of the system requirements. Are we there yet? ISO 50001 has typical ISO clause requirements, such as policy, roles and responsibilities, planning, communication, documentation, internal audit, and management review. You will have these in place for your existing system, so modifying this to cover the specific energy issues will...

Drivers for Sustainability

28th August 20145th August 2017 By admin Comment Closed

Drivers for Sustainability In researching its latest International Business Report, Grant Thornton asked 2,500 businesses across 34 economies what is driving their corporate social responsibility activity, examples of CSR initiatives and how these are being reported. They also looked at the role integrated reporting can play in improving transparency and decision-making. What drives companies to become more socially responsible? Businesses report an increase in drivers to move towards more environmentally and socially sustainable business practices. Globally, cost management is the main driver (67%), followed by customer demand (64%) and because it’s the ‘right thing to do’ (62%). How a business is perceived to be operating is also important in many countries (59%), especially China. In the UK however, client / customer demand was the top answer (62%), with recruitment / staff retention next (49%). Paul Raleigh, Global leader – strategic development and growth, Grant Thornton, says CSR could be the difference that beats the competition: “The leadership of dynamic businesses towards more socially responsible and transparent...

Carbon Trust Standards

25th August 20145th August 2017 By admin Comment Closed

Carbon Trust Standard The Carbon Trust Standard (CTS) is the UK’s most recognised carbon management standard. With the addition of two further standards, triple CTS certification demonstrates an organisation’s achievements in managing carbon, water and waste. As an accredited assessor for all three Carbon Trust Standards, I can help with your application and assessment. Awarded to recognise best-practice and real achievements in reduction, the Carbon Trust Standard helps organisations measure, manage and reduce their environmental impact, whilst improving their resource management and operational sustainability. The certification process identifies inefficiencies in resource use and provides a framework for improving management processes, reducing waste and costs. Over 1,100 organisations have certified to the Carbon Trust Standard. Some of those I’ve assessed include Barts Health NHS Trust, Berendsen, Cisco, Credit Suisse, Friends Life, Gatwick Airport, Go-Ahead Group, Marks & Spencer, Port of Dover, QVC, Telefonica O2, Tesco, Veolia and Westfield. Certified organisations have saved save a staggering £165m in energy and operational costs and reduce carbon emissions by over...

ESOS 2014

ESOS 2014

11th August 20147th August 2017 By admin Comment Closed

Energy Saving Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) New legislation requiring large companies to audit their energy usage to identify energy and carbon reductions has recently been introduced, affecting up to 10,000 businesses in the UK. The Energy Saving Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) requires businesses with more than 250 employees carry out comprehensive audits of all their energy usage, including transport. These must be done every four years, with the first completed and reported to the regulator by 5 December 2015. Audits must be carried out by an ‘approved’ Lead ESOS Assessor, either in-house or external. Introduction to ESOS ESOS is a compulsory programme of regular energy audits for 'large enterprises' to identify energy savings opportunities. 'Large enterprises' cover any Non-SME (small or medium-sized enterprise), i.e. that has 250 employees or more or an annual turnover > €50 million. Not just companies, this also includes partnerships and unincorporated associations, though the Public Sector is not required to participate. Although each audit will result in a set of energy saving...

The Value of ISO 14001

7th August 20147th August 2017 By admin Comment Closed

The Value of ISO 14001 ISO 14001 Continual Improvement Survey In 2013 ISO conducted a survey of users of the international standard for Environmental Management Systems ISO 14001. With about 5000 participants, from 110 countries worldwide, the survey looked at their experiences in implementing ISO 14001 and the value of it to the organisation. Value for environmental management Organisations had realised significant value from ISO 14001 for environmental management issues: meeting legal requirements, improving environmental performance, and enhancing management commitment and stakeholder engagement. Value for business management ISO 14001 has provided considerable value for business management, most notably for meeting stakeholder requirements, improving public image, achieving strategic objectives, and integrating with business management systems. Factors influencing adoption These results correspond with reported motivations for adopting the Standard, including commitment to environmental protection/conservation, and reduction of risk of adverse environmental impact. Primary influences related to business management included customer requirements and public image. A more detailed summary of the survey can be found here. Return to Homepage Contact Us or Email Us ...

New ISO 14001

New ISO 14001

4th August 20147th August 2017 By admin Comment Closed

What's new with ISO 14001? ISO 14001 is being reviewed, with the new version to be released mid-late 2015. The draft international standard (DIS) is currently out for consultation, allowing us a preview of what ISO 14001:2015 is expected to involve. The key changes include: A stronger emphasis on truly embedding sustainability into the organisation and showing leadership Including environmental requirements in procurement, design & delivery of products & services Considering threats and opportunities of external environmental conditions (e.g. adapting to climate change, resource availability) Engaging with interested parties and other external communication An emphasis on data quality and assurance. Here is a little more info of the new requirements (including clause numbers), of the 2015 standard: Understand the organisation and its context - requirements to determine the environmental context of the organisation (clause 4.1), and the needs and expectations of interested parties (4.2). Leadership and strategy - increased focus on the role of top management, and aligning the environmental policy with the organisation's...

Top Tips for Certification

21st July 201411th October 2017 By admin Comment Closed

Top Tips to prepare for Certification ISO 14001 Certification - The Process You have implemented your Environmental Management System (EMS) and let it run to see that it works, is delivering continual improvement and your objectives. Now you’re ready to go for ISO 14001 certification but don’t know what that involves. After selecting your certification body and agreeing the scope of your management system, the process of certification is as follows: From Stage 1 document review through to surveillance visits, click here for a rundown on what to expect of the certification process. Top tips to prepare for certification audits Make sure your documentation is complete, up-to-date and relevant. Ensure you’ve covered all the stages / activities required by ISO 14001 – including audits and the Management Review. Brief key personnel so they know what to expect from the auditor’s visit, the sorts of things they’ll be asking about and what evidence they’ll want to see. Get your staff involved, it’s a great opportunity to...

Calculate your Carbon Footprint

28th June 20145th August 2017 By admin Comment Closed

Calculate your Carbon Footprint The carbon footprint is used as the first step in your carbon management processes. It is a tool to help you understand your carbon emissions, identifying the most significant emissions reduction opportunities. There are recognised standards for calculating a carbon footprint, such as ISO 14064 or the Greenhouse Gas Protocol. Your footprint, given in tonnes of carbon dioxide (tCO2e), shows your company’s emissions for a one-year period. How to get started: First, from your objectives, identify the scope of the footprint. Next gather your data for the previous 12 months: - energy consumption (kWh of electricity or gas), - company vehicles (miles or litres of diesel or petrol), - business journeys (miles by air, car, train, bus or taxi), - materials used (reams of paper or tonnes of raw material) - and other activities (refrigerant gases, waste, water, hotel stays or deliveries). Use the data gathered to monitor and manage the activity on an ongoing basis. Calculating emissions for each activity shows where to focus your attention...

GDB Awards

GDB Awards

22nd March 20145th January 2018 By admin Comment Closed

Gatwick Diamond Business Awards At a glittering evening the winners of the Gatwick Diamond Business Awards were announced. As sponsor and judge, I was pleased to present the Award for Corporate Responsibility to solicitors Mayo Wynne Baxter. I was impressed with this business – there is a clear culture of Corporate Responsibility within and throughout the company. Extensive charity work is evident both in staff fund raising activities and corporate support by the company itself. Social activities reflect the company's core business. Environmental and economic issues are also included, e.g. waste & energy management, local suppliers and an interns programme. With an adopted policy and plan, there is an embedded CR culture giving value to the business. The award was collected on stage by a selection of the company’s own team of Chestnutters – the volunteers coordinating fund-raising activities in aid of local hospice Chestnut Tree House. It was however a difficult decision with two strong runners-up: International Logistics Group and Young Start Up Talent. Many congratulations...

ISO 14001 Success

23rd January 20147th August 2017 By admin Comment Closed

Another Successful ISO 14001 Client Environmental and carbon management consultancy ESHCon is pleased to announce that another of its clients has been successfully certified to ISO 14001, the international standard for Environmental Management Systems (EMS). ESHCon has been working with Roband Electronics to develop and implement the EMS which will manage impacts, reduce risk, identify opportunities for cost savings and address customers’ needs. Based in Charlwood near Gatwick Airport, Roband specialises in the design, development and manufacture of electronic power supplies, predominately for the defence and aerospace markets. Andrew Gold, Managing Director of Roband, said: “We already had a history of good environmental management at Roband but, as our customers are increasingly demanding a more formalised approach to this activity, we decided to go for ISO 14001 certification. I am delighted with the team’s achievements.” ESHCon’s Director Anya Ledwith said: “It’s been a pleasure working with Roband, seeing the EMS progress towards ISO 14001 certification. Reducing wastage, promoting efficiency and saving money - this is...

GDB EXEC

GDB EXEC

23rd May 20137th August 2017 By admin Comment Closed

Gatwick Diamond Business Established for over 50 years, Gatwick Diamond Business (or GDB) has been the leading voice for business and commerce in the region. Representing business, it provides a united voice to influence Local and Central Government issues. GDB is run by the members for the members; it is financially and politically independent. Much more than a business networking organisation, GDB’s core objectives include to promote business opportunities for the members, improve skills and training, encourage inward investment and develop links throughout the UK, Europe and beyond. With a small core team of staff, GDB is guided by its Executive, made up of members representing different sizes and sectors. I'm very pleased to say I have recently joined the Executive Board of GDB. An active member of GDB for 5 years, I work with multi-nationals and SMEs in various sectors so understand the opportunities and challenges facing businesses today. Together we build trusted working relationships, bring value, meet objectives and see commercial benefits:...

University of Kent

University of Kent

15th February 20137th August 2017 By admin Comment Closed

Testimonial from the University of Kent ESHCon recently helped the University of Kent implement their Environmental Management System. They kindly provided the following testimonial, after successful certification to ISO 14001. “The University of Kent is the size of a small town in terms of its geographical size, population and operations, and contains a good deal more in the way of environmental features and risks. Building an EMS was a daunting task – especially as the elaborate system which appeared necessary would have been unwieldy and doomed to failure. Anya provided the perfect means to help us draw the many strands together into a really lean and manageable system which nevertheless covers all our requirements and really delivers. Her vision of how this would take shape overall, her wide and detailed subject knowledge, and her highly personable manner were vital to driving the project forward, and getting numerous key players enthused. We achieved accredited certification to ISO 14001 in just 14 months, which...

Adding weight

Adding weight

13th November 20126th August 2017 By admin Comment Closed

Adding weight: rating significance This article was published in IEMA's The Environmentalist magazine (Nov 12 issue) - click here Anya Ledwith on the best ways to rate the significance of environmental aspects within an environment management system The foundation of a good quality environment management system (EMS) is an understanding of the organisation’s aspects and impacts. This information should be used to recognise the need for, and determine the type of, operational controls required. Developing a process to rank these aspects for significance ensures that the EMS is not overwhelmed from the start. Avoiding confusion There is sometimes confusion in differentiating between environmental aspects and impacts. ISO 14001 defines aspects as activities, products or services that can interact with the environment, while impacts are any change to the environment (adverse or beneficial) resulting from an aspect. So, for example, consider business journeys by car: activity – driving a car aspect – use of diesel as fuel impact – resulting air pollution In its initial environmental review, the...