Investors in the Environment Business Information Pack

Transcription

1 Investors in the Environment Business Information Pack

2 Investors in the Environment Business Information Pack What is Investors in the Environment? Investors in the Environment (iie) is an established, not-for-profit environmental accreditation and membership scheme. The scheme is designed to help small and medium-sized businesses to save money, reduce their impact on the environment and become more competitive. Your business will implement a simple Environmental Management System (EMS) in order to get accredited. Background to the scheme The Investors in the Environment model was developed by the Peterborough Environment City Trust (PECT) for Peterborough-based businesses, in order for them to support Peterborough's Environment Capital aspiration. Due to its success, the scheme has grown including into the Yorkshire and Humber area where Yorkshire Energy Partnership (YEP) manage iie. How will Investors in the Environment benefit my business? There are many ways in which iie will benefit your business including: Saving money through resource and energy-efficiency measures. Attracting new business, contracts and customers through promotion of your environmental credentials. Reducing the environmental impacts of your business. Receiving recognition and accreditation for your environmental work and commitment it s an official green stamp of approval. Applications for grant funding as well as tenders, often ask about your environmental impacts and how you re managing them iie accreditation will demonstrate this. It s quick and easy to implement, and more cost effective than alternative accredited systems. There ll be opportunities to attend free seminars, events and workshops. You ll have access to networking and promotional opportunities. We are really proud to have achieved this award so soon into our membership it shows the level of commitment among students and staff to reduce our carbon footprint and have a positive impact on the environment. Our accreditation is proof that by taking a good look at the way an organisation works and committing to change, you can reduce your costs and boost your green credentials at the same time. Derek Branton, Principal at East Riding College

3 What does the scheme involve? A simple five-step process has been developed that you can follow to achieve each of the three official accreditation levels. Of course, if you have already implemented any of these measures you will achieve the accreditation you are striving for more quickly. 1. Adopt an Environmental Policy 2. Measure your resource use and environmental impact 3. Set targets and agree an action plan 4. Implement your action plan 5. Monitor and report your progress Continual improvement - like any good environmental accreditation scheme, Investors in the Environment requires continual improvement from businesses. Once you ve achieved your accreditation you can review your objectives, targets and action plans so you can improve your operations and reduce your impacts year on year. You may even choose to work towards a higher level. The three levels of accreditation You can choose to work towards one of three Investors in the Environment levels. This means there is an appropriate level of entry for your organisation, whether you re taking your first green steps or becoming a green leader. The step-by-step approach within each accreditation level allows your business to set achievable targets and establish a pathway of continual improvement. The three levels to choose from are: Bronze -for a basic level of accreditation, your business will identify targets for improving resource efficiency (such as energy, water and raw materials), record usage quarterly and report more detailed progress annually. It is also a requirement to have an environmental policy in place (this is something we can help with if you don t already have a policy) and to follow a recycling plan. Silver - this level is for businesses that want to target and monitor more resources, consider more of their environmental impacts and achieve even higher cost savings. In addition to the commitments for Bronze level you will show progress towards achieving targets, adopt a travel plan, plus two other actions that work best for your business.

4 Green - this is the highest level within iie. As part of the process an audit will be undertaken and your business will need to demonstrate a minimum 2% improvement in resource efficiency over an agreed baseline figure. Other essential criteria include having a recycling system in place, adopting a travel plan, taking a carbon footprint test and setting targets for carbon reduction, plus choosing three additional actions that work best for you. How does iie compare to other Environmental Management Systems? Investors in the Environment is different to other accreditations, environmental management systems and environmental standards: Independent, unbiased support. Affordable, inclusive price - starting from just 150. The three levels mean more flexibility for your level of activity and business needs. Less resource intensive than other EMS s (such as ISO14001 which can cost 1000 s and require many man hours to implement and maintain). Access to support from environmental experts. Publicity opportunities. ceremony. The opportunity to become part of a local business network. We were looking for a scheme which demonstrates our own green credentials and adds value as the company grows and develops. What s good for the environment is ultimately good for business. Helen Wheeler Osman, Environmental Strategies, East Yorkshire An events schedule including seminars and workshops with industry experts and an annual awards

5 How much will it cost? The cost of joining Investors in the Environment varies depending on how many employees your business has and what level of accreditation you choose as shown below. Annual fees start from only VAT. The cost includes: All of the tools and templates needed to work towards your chosen accreditation. Promotion of your business through various marketing channels including the website, e-bulletins, online green directory and more. A free events schedule, running at regular intervals throughout the year and at various locations across Yorkshire, which includes help from professionals to gain your accreditation as well as speakers on topics including environmental legislation, the Green Deal, energy efficiency and much more. These events will also include opportunities for networking*. (For green level), an onsite business audit to ensure that all of the criteria have been met. Please note that mileage or public transport travel expenses to your premises are charged for the onsite audit. This is the only additional cost with iie and it enables us to keep the scheme costs low for all customers. * Please note that when standard events are hosted by YEP for members of iie, the number of free event places will be dependent upon the size of the organisation. One free place is available for organisations for up to 10 members of staff/charities, two free places are available for organisations with up to 80 members of staff, and three free places for organisations with over 200 members of staff. Bronze Silver Green 1 to 5 / Charities to 10 staff to 30 staff to 80 staff to 200 staff to 500 staff staff The above prices are inclusive of the accreditation and audit, support, seminars and events and are an annual fee. VAT will be added to the above fees.

6 Sponsorship Opportunities With over 60 members in the Yorkshire and Humber area and over 300 having pledged their support, sponsorship of Investors in the Environment represents an excellent opportunity for your business to raise its profile with other organisations who are actively improving their environmental impacts. There are a number of ways in which you can support iie through sponsorship, including being a main sponsor of the scheme, or sponsoring the annual awards, a newsletter or our Zero Waste Week. Some sponsorship options even include your Investors in the Environment membership. For more information on sponsorship opportunities, please contact the iie team on or iie@energypartnership.org.uk. Sign me up what are the next steps? Fill in the application form, sent to you as a separate attachment, and (thinking green), return it as an attachment to iie@energypartnership.org.uk. Alternatively you can send it by post to the address above. Once we have received this form, we will send the terms and conditions and your welcome pack within five working days. Not ready to sign up yet? The simplest level of engagement is to join the hundreds of businesses who have pledged their support for greener business. It's completely FREE to do and will show that you are pledging to be aware, as a business, of your environmental impact. All pledgers will receive an 'I ve pledged' logo, which you can use to promote your support for greener business on your marketing materials, such as websites, literature, footers and social media sites. It is a recognisable brand that can sit alongside any other credentials you wish to promote, environmental or otherwise. Pledgers also have the opportunity to sign up for our monthly e-bulletins. They will keep you up to date with trends, news and developments in the sector and provide practical information on how your business can save money by being more energy efficient and reducing waste. The e-bulletin will also share information about the local businesses and services that can help you improve your performance. Pledging your support doesn't mean you are iie accredited, but receiving our monthly e-bulletin can help you achieve accreditation if you do decide to take the next step!

7 Appendices What can be achieved a success story Local accountancy see profits increase by 302% thanks to paperless system Investors in the Environment member CGA aren t like normal accountants. Their services are designed to help other businesses, and they call it numerical therapy. They want to look after your business so that the numbers improve. The right numbers grow and the other numbers shrink. Now it s time for them to shout about their environmental successes and explain how looking forward and improving their business has helped to increase profits by 302% thanks to their paperless system. CGA started their paperless journey nearly 10 years ago when moving to new premises meant a need to reduce their storage requirements. They initially wanted to reduce their paper use and deal with historical documents effectively, but as their plans grew the idea of a paperless office began to become a reality. In 2006 CGA invested heavily in IT, understanding that to be paperless would mean an increase in the need for, and use of, IT equipment. Being so far ahead of their competitors meant that finding the right Document Management System and ensuring their compliance with the requirements of HMRC was a challenge. They required a system that included secure document control and a history that could not be deleted. By 2008 their system was fully up and running, with their clients also embracing the new systems, including electronic invoicing and statements. The results of this were amazing. Efficiency improved and it is now possible to find client information at the click of a button. Tax return turnaround has decreased in some cases from 6 weeks to one day! And of course, the bottom line is looking good. The paperless approach has reduced stationery costs by 86%, and postage costs by 68%, whilst turnover has increased 10% due to efficiency. And the investment in IT has been worthwhile. Overall profits are up by 302%. CGA have Green level accreditation with Investors in the Environment (iie), and their paperless status is one of their achievements that was recognised and rewarded through this process.

8 Accreditation Criteria Stage Bronze Silver Green Step 1 - Environmental policy - Senior management commitment - Commitment to reducing environmental impact - Commitment to legal compliance - Identify staff champion responsible for implementing the policy Step 2 - Measure resource use - Resource use must be recorded and monitored on a regular basis Step 3 - Set targets - SMART targets to achieve reduction in environmental impact and increase efficiency Step 4 - Action Plan - assign completion dates and staff responsible - document actions taken and results - essential actions - What you have done, currently do and plan to do Step 5 Monitor and report progress - review progress towards targets - Present progress to senior management and staff. Monitor use of 1 other resource Readings taken at least quarterly* Targets for reduced impact identified Recycling system in place Environmental policy in place Environmental champion appointed Monitor gas, electric and water use Monitor use of 2 other resources Readings taken at least quarterly* Targets for reduced impact identified and progress towards targets can be demonstrated Action plan in place + Adopt a travel plan Undertake 2 additional essential actions Monitor use of 3 other resources Actual meter readings taken at least monthly* Targets for reduced impact identified and annual 2+% reduction in resource use for gas, electricity and water has been achieved from baseline figures.** + Calculate carbon footprint and set targets to reduce Undertake 3 additional essential actions Present progress annually Present progress annually Present progress biannually Step 6 - Accreditation Online self-audit, 5% spot checks Onsite audit Resource use Absolute measure Efficiency measure Electric Measured in kwh Per square meter Gas Measured in kwh Per square meter Water Measured in m3 Per person/unit production Transport Measured in km Per person per mile Waste Measured in tonnes or volume Per person / unit production Consumption of raw materials, e.g. paper, wood, metal, plastics, etc Suggestions for Essential actions Use recycled or FSC certified paper Environmentally friendly cleaning products Source Fair Trade and/or organic products Green your car fleet Volunteering days for staff environmental projects Change to remanufactured ink and toner Cartridges... DON'T buy new (even if you recycle). Adapting to climate change policy in place CSR policy in place Conduct a Green day, dress in green, pay 1 each, donate to charity and ALL PLEDGE to change 1 thing Offset your carbon footprint and/or volunteer days for local initiatives i.e. Forests for Peterborough - Plant a tree Sustainable purchasing policy Installation of a renewable technology (m3) Measured in tonnes or volume (m3, ream) Per person / unit production Criteria Evidence of certification on paper and/or bills Evidence of environmental cleaning products Evidence of Fair Trade / organic products Evidence of certification/ grade of vehicles Policy/procedure document Evidence of certification on paper and/or bills Policy document Policy document Evidence of participation - photos, s Evidence of participation - photos, s Policy document Evidence photographic evidence If you are undertaking an initiative we haven't listed please contact us, subject to approval we will be happy to add it to the list. *Where actual meter readings cannot be taken a case by case solution will be found. **Baseline resource use figures can be from the 12 months prior to joining the scheme so long as adequate records are available. Businesses that can demonstrate they have done everything possible to generate savings will not have to meet 2% annual reduction target.

9 Investors in the Environment (North) managed by: Yorkshire Energy Partnership Tower House Fishergate York YO10 4UA Tel: Web: YEP Business Services Manager Jenny Jensen, Investors in the Environment Business Account Manager: Emma Webster, Investors in the Environment Business Relationship Officer: Simon Hatfield,