3. Environmental Auditing & Management Systems

Why measure this?

Only by analysing and regularly auditing its different environmental impacts - from energy to procurement and biodiversity - can an institution set targets, assess priorities and monitor performance improvements. The People & Planet Green League awards points for institutions that have audited a variety of different environmental impacts. This is a key element of any externally-accredited Environmental Management System, such as ISO14001, EMAS, Green Dragon and EcoCampus.

In recognition of the rigour and accuracy of external environmental management systems, the People & Planet Green League also awards points to those universities that have opened themselves up to the external scrutiny of such schemes. In recognition of the incremental nature of accreditation for these schemes, we award points according to progress towards the highest achievable standard in each scheme, as well as taking into account whether or not the standard has been achieved across the majority of the estate and not simply on one campus/department.

How are points allocated?

Total: 8 points

Institution has audited environmental impacts in the following areas in the last five years (up to 4 points in total):

• Waste management (½ point)
• Transport (½ point)
• Sustainable Procurement (½ point)
• Energy (½ point)
• Water (½ point)
• Construction & Refurbishment (½ point)
• Emissions & Discharges (½ point)
• Biodiversity (½ point)

Institution operates an externally audited environmental management system ( ISO14001, EMAS, Ecocampus, Green Dragon, IEMA Acorn Scheme [BS8885]) up to 4 Points

Environmental Management Systems scoring grid

Accredited inspection to BS 8555 (Iema Acorn Scheme)	Green Dragon Award (Wales)	Eco Campus	EMAS	ISO14001	EMS covers 50% or more of university gross internal area	EMS covers 50% or less of university gross internal area
Phase 1	Level 1				1 Point	0.5 Points
Phase 2	Level 2	Bronze			2 Points	1 Point
Phase 3	Level 3	Silver			3 Points	1.5 Points
Phase 4	Level 4	Gold			3.5 Points	1.5 Points
Phase 5 and 6	Level 5	Platinum	EMAS Registered	ISO14001 certification	4 Points	2 Points

How is this criteria assessed?

3. a) For which of the following areas has the institution carried out a comprehensive audit of environmental impacts in the last five years?

0.5 points for each area audited

(Waste management, Transport, Sustainable Procurement, Energy, Water, Construction & Refurbishment, Emissions & Discharges, Biodiversity)

Clarifications:

• No points were awarded for failure to provide evidence of a comprehensive audit of each impact area. We are looking for evidence which clearly highlights the baseline figures established by the audit in each area.
• Audit doesn’t have to cover every square inch of campus but if it is not of whole campus then it must clearly demonstrate that the impacts in that area are being effectively monitored and managed.
• No points are awarded for evidence of systems audits carried out as part of an external EMS scheme (eg. EcoCampus audit transcript) as these do not contain actual evidence of the baseline audit, and are also subject to points in 3b so cannot be double counted.

Evidence Required:

• Reports of the audit for each impact area and/or minutes of any meeting in which the audit was reported on clearly highlighting the baseline figures established by the audit and the date when each audit was carried out.

3. b) Is your institution part of an external environmental management system?

( ISO14001, EMAS, Ecocampus, Green Dragon, BS8885)

4 points

If Yes, what stage/phase/level have you achieved in the scheme?
If Yes, what campuses and other parts of the estate does this cover?
In total does the physical area that is covered by the EMS amount to 50% or more of the university estate?

Clarifications:

• Universities cannot score points for having more than 1 EMS in place. Please only submit evidence for your highest scoring EMS (see scoring grid above).
• No full points unless the Environmental Management System covers 50% or more of the institutions’ estate which is judged by the gross internal area covered rather than the activities e.g. teaching
• Only those EMS schemes explicitly in the scoring grid above are eligible to receive points. For eg. BREEAM In-Use will not be credited in 2013 as it only covers part of the institution’s activities. Points may be awarded in future years subject to stakeholder consultation.
• For EMAS and ISO14001 no points awarded unless full certification achieved.
• The evidence submitted must clearly show that the EMS certification level or accreditation has been achieved or maintained for the year since 1 April 2012.

Evidence Required:

• Certification documents or weblink to external EMS certifiers website clearly setting out the stage/level/award the institution has achieved.
• Documents that demonstrate which parts of the university estate are included in the external environmental management system e.g. audit documents
• Statement from the responsible party confirming that the physical area covered by the external environmental management system amounts to 50% or more of the university campus

Next: Ethical Investment Policy

Back to Methodology page