Document 14b Executive Committee – 28 September 2005 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: 28 SEPTEMBER 2005 AN ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY FOR THE COLLEGE An increasing number of organisations, whether large government departments or small businesses, have an environmental policy. It generally takes the form of a short document containing principals and goals that help an organisation put its environmental commitment into practice. It should be based on compliance with legislation combined with continual improvement. It should be endorsed at the highest decision-making level, delegated to named lead-implementers and publicised to all those who should engage with it., both College members and employees. The impetus for introducing this policy was the College’s bid for the National Neonatal Audit Project. The tender documentation requested information on a raft of policies (e.g. equal opportunities, health & safety) in organisations bidding for the work, and the one gap in our bid was the existence of an environmental policy. There is then clearly a double edge to the business case for adopting the policy: there are likely to be cost savings generated through environmental efficiencies, particularly in energy consumption, but without such a policy we may be disadvantaged when competing for work in the research or medical education fields. A whole staff meeting has already considered the question of ‘greening’ the College. It is clear that there is clear enthusiasm for taking this agenda forward, and that indeed the College already does much to comply with best practice. As a relatively small organisation, it could be said that the impact of our activities on the environment are small, but the joint effort with our like-minded institutions could have significant impact on the environment and the way we all work and live. We are the custodians of the environment for the next generation and their children, and as an organisation committed t o improving children’s health we should be in the vanguard of the sustainable development lobby. It is easy to write and adopt policies; harder to implement them and measure results. There is also the danger of creating another paper-heavy bureaucracy to do all this. The policy as drafted gives a range of ideas which all staff and budget-holders can act on, and names three senior staff as ‘movers and shakers’. I suggest that for the moment this is sufficient: the approach, like equal opportunities, needs to become embedded in behaviour rather than tacked on as afterthought. Suffice to say that in the time I’ve spent writing this report, I have found two empty meeting rooms with lights blazing, realised that by drawing blind back the natural light is fine to work in, and also realised that I don’t know how to sort out double-sided printing. At least I can say that the report is only available electronically! A progress report will be submitted next year. Ms. Laura Vincent Head of Human Resources
September 2005 SUSTAINABLE POLICY FOR THE COLLEGE INTRODUCTION
Statement of Intent The College is committed to minimising its impact on the environment; by complying with all relevant legislation and improving it’s performing in respect of environmental issues and sustainability.
Scope The policy statement applies to all College buildings and staff. College Members are encouraged to support the policy as far as is practicable.
Engaging and Educating Employees The policy is available on the College intranet and website, and staff will be kept informed of any developments. As part of the College induction, new employees are introduced to this policy. All staff will be encouraged to work in an environmentally responsible manner and to play a full part in developing new ideas and initiatives.
Responsibilities Overall responsibility for this policy rests with the College Secretary, Day-to-day implementation is delegated to the Head of IT and Publications, the Building Manager and the Head of HR, supported by named staff ‘champions’. The current champion is Aaron Barham. All staff within the College are expected to follow the principals of this policy in carrying out their duties, and Members are encouraged to support the policy as far as is practicable in their dealings with the College. The policy extends to purchasing from and contracting with outside suppliers, as far as is reasonably practicable.
KEY AREAS Transport The use of public transport or bicycles is encouraged for travel to work, through the season ticket and bike purchase loan schemes. Bike storage and shower facilities are available for London staff at 50 Hallam Street. There is no provision for company cars. Members are encouraged to use public transport rather than cars when travelling on College business.
Office environment College premises are ‘no-smoking’ environments, and smoking cessation support is available to individual employees through the HR office.
CONSERVING RESOURCES Energy We can seek to improve energy efficiency in all College offices by:
Sensible use of air conditioning systems Remembering to turn off lights when leaving rooms Maximising the use of daylight by opening blinds Exploring opportunities to source energy from renewable energy suppliers
Water Where feasible, we need to install meters, flow-restricting devices and waterefficient appliances Wood We should aim to purchase sustain ably produced timber products Paper We should be printing and copying double-sided as a matter of course Electronic mail should be used where ever feasible Document production and circulation can be reduced by posting reports and documents on the College website and intranet As much paper as possible should be recycled. The existing recycling programme needs review and possible extension Recycled paper should be purchased for use in all printers and photocopiers Material published by the College should be sealed and finished in such a way as to make it easy and appropriate to recycle
Reducing Pollution To ensure that all purchases of equipment, e.g. fridges, fire extinguishers, are produced and disposed of in compliance with reducing carbon dioxide emissions and stopping depletion of the ozone layer. This means, for example, ensuring that no products are purchased which contain chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and ensuring safe and appropriate systems of servicing equipment. IT The development and maintenance of IT systems in the College will where practicable prioritise environmental concerns, through procurement, recycling and disposal of equipment. Energy consumption will be monitored and heat production minimised.
Procurement The College is committed through its buying decisions to   
Ensure that all purchases are made in accordance with this policy statement Take account of whole life costs and not just the initial price when assessing value for money, wherever practicable Where possible use eco-labels to help identify environmentally preferable products.
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