Environmental projects and campaigns
Environmental Management System
Launched in April 2009, an Environmental Management System (EMS) is a mechanism which will ensure that the Council prevents pollution, is compliant with the full breadth of environmental legislation while constantly seeking to improve its environmental performance.
Calderdale Council’s EMS will contain the following elements:
- the Council’s Environmental Policy
- a register of legal requirements
- a register of environmental aspects and impacts
- the Environmental Programme
- a continuous review process including regular environmental audits.
The benefits
Implementing an EMS will help reduce the impact of Council activities on the environment. It will also support the Council in:
- complying with environmental legislation
- meeting statutory obligations such as reporting on National Indicators
- managing the Council’s environmental impacts such as pollution
- reducing waste and energy use
- lowering costs
- increasing efficiency.
Scope of the EMS
The EMS operates across the Council's core activities including waste, energy, water and transport management. It also operates within the services of the Economy and Environment, Chief Executive and Children & Young People directorates.
Certified EMS: ISO 14001 & Eco Management and Audit System (EMAS)
The Council's EMS has been certified as meeting the internationally recognised standards for environmental management (ISO 14001 & Eco Management and Audit System). Both these accreditation schemes recognise organisations that go beyond minimum legal compliance. The Council will also produce a publically available environmental statement that reports information and performance.
New developments
In September 2011 an environmental audit concluded that Calderdale Council is continuing to meet the standards for environmental management as expected under ISO 14001 and EMAS. Further to this the Council has increased the range of services under this standard to include the Chief Executive directorate in addition to the existing Economy & Environment services.
Useful links
Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment|
(IEMA)
A not-for-profit membership organisation established to promote best practice standards in environmental management, auditing and assessment.
Envirowise|
Provides free, confidential advice to UK businesses, to enable them to increase profitability and reduce their environmental impact.
NetRegs|
Provides free environmental guidance for small and medium-sized businesses in the UK, helping them to understand what is needed to comply with environmental legislation and protect the environment.
The Carbon Trust|
The Trust aims to accelerate the move to a low carbon economy by working with organisations to reduce their carbon emissions and develop commercial low carbon technologies.
