Sustainable development

Government Framework Target A2 – Publishing delivery plans

All Departments should, within 4 months of announcement of each suite of targets in the Framework, make public a strategy showing how they plan to deliver targets. The strategy should include evidence that the Department has established or has firm plans to establish:

  • Lines of responsibility for delivering targets, including Ministers and senior officials
  • Data collection systems to measure progress and audit performance against targets across the estate
  • Baseline performance data
  • The mechanisms to be used to improve performance
  • The resources required
  • Milestones and review dates, particularly where targets are long term (>2 years)

There should be a clear time frame for any planned action and establishing data collection systems, where they are not already in place, should be an immediate priority.

If a Department concludes that its impact is insignificant in a particular area (in comparison to its other impacts identified under target A1), and that pursuit of targets would not be an effective use of resources, the Department should publish a statement on the same timescale as that for strategies to deliver targets.

Strategies should be made available on Departmental websites so that links may be posted on the Framework website.

Response

Environmental Management Systems (EMS) – (Target A3 of Framework)

  • EMSs provide the skeletal framework for all subsequent targets
  • We have raised awareness amongst all IR Business Streams by conducting a series of visits and presentations to colleagues, undertaking presentations to our business environment forum, plus the Framework targets have been included on the Departments Environment Intranet site
  • We have not met the target to implement an EMS in all offices with more than 50 staff by March 2004
  • Business case prepared to consider staffing implications of setting up EMS across the department– this was refused
  • 6 Pilot studies are now underway to determine the level of energy and other running cost savings that can be achieved through adopting the government targets
  • Our PFI contractor Mapeley will provide basic building information, energy consumption data and waste recycling quantities for the majority of our estate. Similar arrangements will be put in place for those areas of the IR estate out-with of their remit
  • Sites having the most significant environmental impacts will have the EMS in operation first with the remainder of the Departments sites following thereafter
  • We expect to be able to meet this target by a revised date of March 2006.

Travel (Part B of Framework)

  • Local offices will use staff surveys to establish baseline figures for database in respect of single car commuting and include within their EMS
  • Offices have been asked to look at ways to achieve 5% reduction in single car commuting
  • Processes are already in place to centrally record and collate business vehicle mileage, engine size and fuel type including consumption in respect of pool cars, hire cars, ACS cars and private cars used for business
  • Processes are in place to record the number of alternatively fuelled cars currently in use
  • Local offices to review the opportunities to develop and promote video conferencing, telephone conferencing, public transport use, car sharing, bicycles etc. to help reduce the business miles undertaken by the department as part of their EMS
  • Looking at the practicalities of introducing more dual fuel and or smaller engine capacity vehicles into our pool car fleets.

Water Services (Part C of Framework)

  • Department has joined the Watermark project
  • Data collected from water bills is passed onto Watermark for evaluation and benchmarking
  • Mapeley have brought in Watermark’s contractors to look at sites where water consumption is high to undertake detailed surveys, prepare recommendations and carryout appropriate remedial works ensuring the Department achieves the target figures
  • Mapeley have taken on board and will ensure that the target is met in respect of new builds and major refurbishments. Other PFI contractors will do similarly
  • Target brought to the attention of our Policy people when considering new work
  • Remedial works will be closely monitored to ensure target levels are being achieved and maintained
  • Through raising awareness and improving general good housekeeping procedures.

Waste (Part D of Framework)

  • Our PFI contractors, including Mapeley, are aware of the existing and forthcoming Framework targets on waste and are looking at setting up schemes for recycling
  • Procedures to be put in place to monitor waste being recycled and going to landfill
  • Recycling is already being undertaken by the Department through locally organised initiatives

Energy (Part E of Framework)

  • Our PFI contractors, including Mapeley, are aware of the existing and forthcoming Framework targets on energy
  • 20% Climate Change Levy exempt electricity purchased, exceeding 2008 target of 10%
  • Using Management Information System provided by Mapeley
  • Carbon Trust are undertaking surveys to ascertain the embeddedness of SD amongst Senior Management
  • Action Energy are undertaking surveys to identify energy efficiency measures to implement

Procurement (Part F of Framework)

  • Framework target expected in 2004/2005
  • Sustainable Procurement statement will be posted on IR internet
  • We will monitor environmentally friendly buying in the Department
  • Quick Wins to be adopted

Estates Management (Part G of Framework)

  • Framework target expected in 2004/2005

Bio-diversity (Part H of Framework)

  • Action Plan to be produced in conjunction with our PFI contractors

Social Impacts (Part I of Framework)

  • Framework target expected in 2004/2005

For all targets guidance will be published on the Environment Intranet site which is available to all staff

  Home Top | Menu