Rationale

Dealing with the environment is an increasingly complex activity, covering areas as diverse as energy, waste, transport, biodiversity, all to be integrated within the principle activity of the FE system to provide education and training. Good environmental management can help to ensure a more efficient and effective approach for staff and learners alike:

• identifying all relevant environmental issues and assigning responsibility for dealing with them;

• developing and implementing standard procedures for managing them; and

• achieving continuous improvement through target setting and other means.

The business case for implementing an environmental management system (EMS) can provide a number of benefits, including:

• driving continuous improvement;

• managing and reducing risks, both within and external to the FE organisation;

• commitment from all levels of participants;

• greater accountability for delivery actions;

• help towards prioritising actions; and

• achieving cost savings such as in energy and water.