THINK GLOBAL: ACT LOCAL

It is widely accepted that human activity is contributing to climate change. This global environmental change and the current political agenda see an increasing drive for the environment to be managed in a sustainable way. Businesses have an important role to play in this and therefore we are committed to taking a coherent approach to developing our business in a responsible manner. We will take care to reduce the direct impact of our operations and provide environmentally sustainable solutions to our stakeholders.

1.1 Reducing carbon

 

Introduction

The 2008 Climate Change Act established legally binding climate change targets. The UK aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% from 1990 baseline by 2050. Moving to a more energy efficient, low-carbon economy will help meet this target. WMCA aims to play its parts by reducing carbon demand and using energy more efficiently.

 

5 Year Strategy Objectives

 

Gold:

Ref. RC-1 

• Move towards achieving a carbon neutral site by 2025.
• Reduce our carbon footprint from WMCA activities by 30% by 2019.
• Support research and development into carbon reduction innovations.
• Employ low and zero carbon technologies for energy supply.

 

Silver:

Ref. RC-2

• Reduce our carbon footprint from activities by 20% by 2019.
• Minimise energy use and therefore the carbon emissions of assets, buildings and vehicles.
• Identify ways to eliminate waste at the end of life, so that all waste has value through recycling, reuse, or conversion to energy.
• Pilot innovative products, techniques and programmes to deliver carbon reduction.

 

Bronze:

Ref. RC-3

• Reduce our carbon footprint from activities by 15% by 2019.
• Reduce consumption and increase the energy efficiency of our buildings (e.g. through smart energy management).
• Minimise emissions arising from staff commuting, business travel choices and deliveries.
• Maintain existing programmes to reduce carbon and provide advice and support to reduce energy and water usage across all sites.
• Implement the waste hierarchy across all our sites.

 

The programmes that help support the achievement of the 5 year objectives include:

• Proposed projects (e.g. solar panels, voltage optimisation, glazing repairs, facade improvements, smart meters, energy audits and EPCs).
• Waste management.
• Monitoring and reporting.
• Raising Environmental Awareness Action Plan.
• Delivering Corporate Social Responsibility Strategy commitments.
• Smarter working (e.g. flexi hours and home working) and digital connectivity (e.g. telephone and video conferencing).
• ISO 14001 environmental management system.
• Procurement Strategy.
• WMCA Constitution.

1.3 Developing sustainable infrastructure

 

Introduction
Sustainable infrastructure design is not just about new infrastructure. It is about reuse or optimisation of existing infrastructure. This encompasses infrastructure renewal, energy use and reduced infrastructure costs, the protection of existing infrastructure from environmental degradation, material selection for sustainability, quality, durability and energy conservation, minimising waste and materials and the redesign of infrastructure. It is estimated that buildings accounted for about 43% of all the UK’s carbon emissions. Planning and designing infrastructure which takes full account of its own impact and its operational needs and use plays a key role in enhancing sustainability. Our aim is to set a responsible standard of sustainable design, to reduce carbon emissions from 16 Summer Lane, our bus stations, Park & Ride sites, Travel Information Centres and other infrastructure, to ensure that policies help to protect and improve the natural and built environment.

 

5 Year Strategy Objectives

 

Gold:

Ref. SI-01

Ensure ongoing excellence in the sustainable design of our operations. All new developments and major refurbishments to achieve BREEAM Outstanding or Excellent rating or CEEQUAL ‘Excellent’ is achieved.
Create iconic transport infrastructure that is visually appealing, integrated with the local character and encourages the community to use public transport.

 

Silver:

Ref. SI-02

All new developments and major refurbishments to achieve BREEAM Very Good Rating or CEEQUAL equivalent. Enhance biodiversity through our projects, e.g. through implementing ‘Living Roofs/Walls’ and bird and bat boxes.

 

Bronze:

Ref. SI-03

All new developments and major refurbishments to introduce sustainable design features and best practice to improve the sustainability performance and minimise the carbon impact of the building. Work with contractors to promote excellence in environmental management at construction or implementation stages. Embed sustainable design and practices at the design and planning stages for all bus and rail infrastructure developments including bus shelters and stops. Establish sustainability evaluations and environmental tracking of projects. Conserve biodiversity through our projects to avoid disruption of existing features of ecological value.

 

Programmes:

The programmes that help support the achievement of the 5 year objectives
include:

• Sustainable Design Guide
• Benchmarking and accreditations (e.g. BREEAM)
• Planning interventions and Environmental Impact Assessments
• Asset infrastructure design guides
• Electric vehicle charging points trials
• ISO 14001, PAS 55 programme
• Procurement Strategy

1.4 Sustainable Procurement

 

Introduction
WMCA recognises it has an implicit role in furthering sustainable development, through its procurement of goods and services. The below strategic objectives set out the principles of sustainability within WMCA’s procurement activities to ensure that only value for money products and services are selected and that in all cases a balanced consideration of social, ethical, environmental and economic impacts are undertaken throughout the procurement process.

 

The UK Government launched the Sustainable Procurement National Action Plan which aims to support all publicly funded organisations to:

• reduce waste, carbon emissions, energy and  water consumption
• protect biodiversity
• stop the buying of timber from unsustainable sources
• support fair and sustainable economic growth
  deliver social benefits through procurement.

 

The Action Plan provides guidance to ensure that public procurement fully contributes to sustainable development in the UK, reflecting the principles set out in the existing EU and domestic legal frameworks governing public procurement. The European legal framework for public procurement clarifies the extent, when and how public purchasers can include environmental considerations in their procurement processes and procedures. In addition, the British Standard guideline, ‘Principles and Framework for Procuring Sustainably’ (BS 8903:2010) provides guidance on how to implement sustainable practices into procurement processes. WMCA is working towards these guidelines in order to systematically install sustainability into the procurement life cycle.

 

The three principles of sustainable development within procurement are illustrated
below.

 

ENVIRONMENTAL
Seeking to minimise any negative environmental impacts of goods and services
purchased, across their life cycle from raw material extraction to end of life and
supporting the principles set out in the organisation’s Environmental Strategy.

 

SOCIAL
Managing and monitoring supply chains to ensure that fair contract prices and terms
are applied and that ethical, human rights and employment standards are met.
Working with Combined Authority and district members to investigate methods
of working collaboratively and sharing best procurement practice in relation to
sustainable procurement. This includes investigating ways of implementing Social
Value and developing equality checks and communications into procurement
process and wider supply chain.

 

ECONOMIC
The economic principle relates not only to obtaining value for money from our
contracts, across the whole life of the product or service, but also ensuring, as far
as is possible under relevant procurement law, that local businesses, particularly
Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SME’s) can benefit from our procurement
processes in being able to supply the organisation where it is feasible for them to
do so.

 

In conjunction with the aims set out in the Procurement Strategy, 2012 – 2017 WMCA recognises its responsibility to carry out its purchasing activities in an environmentally responsible manner and will therefore strive to:

• Educate, train and encourage internal purchasers to review their consumption
  of goods and services, reduce usage and adopt more environmentally friendly alternative products.
• Help to communicate WMCA’s environmental policy to all staff, suppliers and stakeholders
• Promote and embed best practice for sustainable procurement
• Work in partnership with other regions, councils and Centres of Excellence, to maximise sustainable procurement gains for the region.
• Focus on collaborative and agile procurement services in compliance with
  legislation and WMCA constitution while engaging with key stakeholders to
  drive value for money, efficiency and sustainability across the business.

 

5 Year Strategy Objectives

 

Gold:

Ref. SP-01

Sustainable Procurement BS8903 Guidance Standard ‘Expert’ status is achieved and externally validated.
WMCA demonstrates leadership in setting new sustainable procurement standards and sharing good practice with other organisations and suppliers.
Maximise procurement of electricity from renewable sources across all sites. Embed and operate an electronic contract management module that provides a strategic foundation for managing supplier relationships effectively. Lead the way in embedding social value and equalities good practice within the procurement process and wider supply chain.

 

Silver:

Ref. SP-02

Sustainable Procurement BS8903 Standard ‘Leader’ level is achieved and externally validated. Work with suppliers, key stakeholders and contractors to ensure WMCA sustainable procurement objectives are realised and to promote environmental good practice within partner organisations. Establish a formal contract management module that provides a strategic foundation for managing supplier relationships effectively. Develop a whole life costing model to enable tenders to be evaluated on this basis. Through collaborative working with district partners identify best practice procedures for capturing social value and equalities within the supply chain.

 

Bronze:

Ref. SP-03

Incrementally work towards the BS8903 Sustainable Procurement Standard ‘Leader’ level. Raise awareness of the importance of sustainable purchasing and enabling individuals and the organisation to make an informed choice. Engage with key contractors, suppliers, staff members and key stakeholders to realise and embed environmental and sustainable good practice throughout the life of the procurement cycle. Develop WMCA’s sustainable procurement objectives including applying best practice procedures. Carry out an audit of existing sustainability procurement provision within contracts and key supplier spend analysis. Communicate to our suppliers that we procure sustainably and analyse any current supplier sustainability initiatives. Develop sustainable procurement criteria and embed them into relevant tendering exercises. Ensure all procurement professionals understand the importance of sustainable procurement and are sufficiently trained in this area. Develop external networks to ensure best practice. Develop and strengthen networks with customers and suppliers to ensure best practice is understood and instilled within the supply chain. Identify opportunities for collaboration with district partners to reduce duplication and maximise supply chain engagement.

 

PROGRAMMES:
The programmes that help support the achievement of the 5 year objectives include:

• BS8903 Sustainable Procurement Evaluation Report (or other emerging standards as appropriate)
• Procurement Strategy 2012-2017
• Supplier / contractor relationships
• Agresso financial management system
• Gateway project management process
• Bravo Solutions Portal (e-tendering system)
• WMCA Constitution

1.5 Environmental management system

 

Introduction
An environmental management system (EMS) provides structure to help organisations manage environmental impacts and improve performance through products, services and activities. It integrates the organisation’s environmental objectives with its overall business processes and systems, so that environmental considerations can become a routine factor in business decisions. Through the use of an EMS, we proactively seek to improve our environmental performance.

 

5 Year Strategy Objectives

 

Gold:

Ref. EMS-01

Certification to the internationally recognised standard, ISO14001 EMS Standard for all its activities and services.

 

Silver:

Ref. EMS-02

Implement an Environmental Management System in conformance to the ISO 14001 EMS Standard for all activities and services. Peer or self certification of the Environmental Management System.

 

Bronze:

Ref. EMS-03

Accreditation to the Carbon Trust Standard mark of excellence is maintained providing external validation of carbon reduction and continual improvements in carbon management. WMCA continues to develop processes to manage all its environmental impacts across all its sites and services. Identify and minimise air, water, land, light and noise pollution levels.

 

PROGRAMMES:

The programmes that help support the achievement of the 5 year objectives include:

• ISO14001 Environmental Management System development
• Delivery of action plan and achievement of environment targets
• Delivery of annual Business Plan objectives in relation to environmental and sustainability objectives
• Procurement Strategy
• BS8903 Sustainable Procurement Guidance Standard
• Asset Management System.

1.6 Raising environmental and awareness and communication

 

INTRODUCTION
Our staff and stakeholders all have a part to play in improving our environmental performance, implementing good practice and reducing our carbon footprint. We seek to promote, train and deliver awareness campaigns so that staff and stakeholders are better informed of the advantages of changing practices in ways that help the environment.

5 Year Strategy Objectives

 

Gold:

Ref. RAC-01

Representation at national and local level and with key stakeholders to ensure sustainable travel and public transport’s contribution to the low carbon agenda is understood, planned and addressed at these levels. Lead on joint environmental campaigns and /or interventions with key partners and stakeholders.

 

Silver:

Ref. RAC-02

Effective and targeted environmental communication and campaigns to encourage behaviour change and achievement of environmental targets and objectives. Recognition and awards for environmental good practice, performance and/or innovation.

 

Bronze:

Ref. RAC-03

Seek continuous improvement in staff and stakeholders engagement on environmental issues, including sharing good practice. Demonstrate behaviour change as a result of environmental awareness campaigns. Keep abreast of the external environment to be responsive to new trends, guidance and good practice etc.

 

PROGRAMMES:

The programmes that help support the achievement of the 5 year objectives include:

• Involvement at national, regional and local levels and representation at key stakeholder meetings
• Raising environmental awareness action plan (including promoting key national events, e.g. Climate Change Week, World Environment Day and Green Office Week)