Silver Award
The Silver phase is known as the Implementing stage. During this stage a list of all the environmental legislation that applies to the University is compiled and all apects of University activities that have an impact on the environment are identified and rated according to their potential severity and likelihood of occurring.
The Silver phase is broken down into four categories:
- Identifying legal and other requirements
- Identifying applicable environmental legislation
- Environmental aspects
- A list of the University’s activities that affect the environment
- Developing objectives and targets
- Finalising the Environmental Policy
What we have done
A legal register was produced which shows the environmental legislation that covers the University. It also provides information on who the site contact is for each piece of legislation, the consequences for non-compliance and the records that are needed to show compliance. Another document showing where any records needed to prove compliance are stored and who is responsible for them has been developed.
An aspects and impacts register is a list of activities that shows how the Universities activities impact the environment. This register was put together and then ranked in terms of significance. The most significant activities are those that are covered by legislation e.g. waste disposal.
All the most significant activities (aspects) have to be managed and improved, and this is done by setting objectives and targets. The objectives must be measurable and have a timescale, and together produce an environmental management programme. The programme includes all the objectives, targets, tasks, timescales and responsibilities for managing the most significant environmental aspects. It is intended that this information will be added to the Action Plan of the University's Environmental Sustainability Strategy in the near future
The broad objectives identified have also been used to produce a finalised version of the University's Environmental Sustainability Policy, which was approved by University council on 13th December 2010. The Policy is a simple overarching document that outlines our commitment to legal compliance, pollution prevention, and continual improvement, as well as providing a framework for setting objectives and targets.
Completion of this phase, and the successful passing of an on-site audit has helped to ensure that all relevant staff are aware of the legislation and will help to keep the University legally compliant. Generating the aspect and impacts register helps to identify the areas that the University needs to work on and by generating an Environmental Management programme provides a structured framework where the University can effectively manage and reduce its impact on the environment. The Gold phase will help to formalise communications, responsibilities, and operational procedures that have an impact on the environment.