Case study: The Scottish Government, setting the standards for the rest of the world
Ten years after one of its buildings became the first to be certificated to ISO 14001, the Scottish Government has achieved three-year accredited recertification.
Concrete figures showing a reduction in carbon emissions and the consumption of electricity have become fundamental to demonstrating an organization’s green credentials.
Since September 1996, the ISO 14001 standard – which underwent a revision in 2004 – has specified the requirements for an environmental management system. In 1998, the Scottish Government was awarded its first certification for its environmental management system at its Victoria Quay Building in Leith. Ten years on, it has just achieved three-year accredited recertification to ISO 14001. Victoria Quay was the first and largest UK central government building of its kind to be awarded this accreditation.
“The award is testimony to the team effort made by staff and others and demonstrates that the government means what it says, with respect to its
environmental policy,” says a government spokesman. “The Victoria Quay team continues to be at the leading edge of environmental
management and recognises the contribution made by a variety of staff.”
Among the ISO 14001 standard’s requirements are the environmental aspects which are within an organization’s control and infl uence, including energy consumption, waste disposal and modes of transport for staff. The standard does not lay down specific criteria because buildings are unique in location and design, but instead it provides a framework for an organization to implement, maintain and improve upon an EMS. ISO 14001 also ensures an organization can comply with environmental legislation and its own environmental policies.
The certification body charged with assessing the Scottish Government, NQA, found that the organization is on target to reduce the CO2 emissions caused by energy use in its buildings by 12.6 per cent by 2011 and by 30 per cent by 2020. Furthermore, NQA has also found that the government’s electricity consumption at the Victoria Quay building is already down by 5.4 per cent this year compared with 2006/07, and there has been a 20 per cent reduction in waste over the same period. “The Scottish government displays a very well operated and presented environmental system,” says NQA assessor Stephen Burt. “Excellent continual improvement initiatives are planned for the coming year demonstrating the dedication to continued improvement.”
The task does not end with an initial certification because the award demands continuous and year-on -year improvement of a building’s environmental performance. In order to retain the award for Victoria Quay, the support of all staff is required in striving to lessen the building’s impact on the environment and in achieving the Scottish Governmernt’s overall environmental aims. The Victoria Quay EMS is audited by an external party on a regular basis.
The government is now developing a corporate EMS, covering 14 target buildings. Each building has an important part to play in helping to ensure that the targets agreed by senior managers are met and improved upon.