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Further Guidance

 

1 A number of 'mandated mechanisms' underpin the targets; departments are mandated to use these tools and products in order to improve the sustainability of their operations, contributing to achievement of SOGE targets.

Name of Guidance What is it? Operations (1including Mandated Mechanisms) Procurement Owner and Contact Details
BRE Environmental Assessment Method This website provides a brief introduction to the BRE Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM).  This is a widely used tool for assessing a building's environmental performance. This website includes details on the advantages of using this assessment method, type and scope of assessments available, scoring system and rating scale. This website also provides links to various BREEAM applications across different industries/ geographical locations and documents for each standard BREEAM scheme are available. Building Research Establishment
01923 664462

Buy Sustainable - Quick wins

Last updated: 2009

 To help departments make sustainable purchasing decisions the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has developed an inventory of mandatory minimum standards and voluntary best practice specifications for a range of commonly purchased products and materials.

For each product/material, the guidance provides: the minimum mandatory standard that must be met by all government departments and their executive agencies; and the best practice specification for the product.

As well as helping to comply with the general principles of sustainable procurement, some materials covered can support progress towards SOGE targets (indicated with a *).
Key products/materials covered are:
  • Paper/envelopes
  • Cleaning products
  • Office machinery*
  • Construction*
  • Transport* 
  • Furniture
  • Electrical goods*
  • Textiles
  • Gardening Services
 Defra
08459 33 55 77

'Carbon Neutral': its definition and recommendations for good practice

Last updated: 2009

 The consultation on carbon neutrality, carried out by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), closed on 21st May 2009. It set out the government's proposed definition of the term 'carbon neutral' alongside recommendations for its use.  A summary of the consultation responses and next steps will be published in the summer with publication of formal guidance expected in the autumn.

The consultation document proposes that carbon neutrality is reached once the net calculated carbon emissions equals zero. This is achieved through a transparent process of:

  • Measuring emissions - Setting the scope of emissions to be addressed (using the Greenhouse Gas Protocol) and calculating the total carbon footprint;
  • Reducing emissions - forming part of an ongoing process of emissions reductions; and
  • Offsetting residual emissions - recommending that purchased offsets should represent genuine, additional emissions reductions elsewhere.
DECC

03000 604000
Carbon Trust  The Carbon Trust has been set up to accelerate the move to a low carbon economy. This website provides information to help facilities managers and decision-makers get the most from their budgets.

  • The "Central Government Sector Overview" publication (2003) outlines information on energy saving opportunities for the central Government sector, and highlights simple actions for energy savings. 
  • The "Energy Use in Offices" guide (2008) provides information on typical energy consumption for power and heating in four office types. It can be used in assessing the performance of buildings, using meter readings for each energy source. It provides guidance on benchmarking.
The Carbon Trust has developed a Carbon Management Programme. It aims to take a systematic approach to managing the risks and realising the opportunities that climate change presents. It can be applied to all aspects of the department: procurement, estates and facilities management, community relations, etc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carbon Trust

08000 852005

Catering Services and Food Procurement (CSFP) Toolkit  The Catering Services and Food Procurement Toolkit aims to assist those in the public sector with responsibilities for buying catering services (including vending and hospitality services) and food directly from wholesalers, producers and suppliers.

The toolkit is divided into three sections, focusing on small or single establishments, small to medium sized catering operations or large/multi-site operations. It contains guidance on how to incorporate the aims of the Public Sector Food Procurement Initiative into catering and food supply contracts. It also includes sample tender documents, specifications and model contract clauses.

   

Defra

Dominic Pattinson

020 7238 6025

Central Point of Expertise on Timber Procurement (CPET) The Central Point of Expertise on Timber Procurement (CPET) has been set up by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), and is operated by ProForest.

This website provides detailed information and advice on how buyers and suppliers to Government departments can meet the requirements of central Government's Timber Procurement Policy.  It includes several guidance documents including:

  • Briefing Note on the UK Government's Timber Procurement Policy;
  • UK Government's Timber Procurement Advice Note;
  • UK Government Timber Procurement Policy: Definitions of Legality and Sustainability;
  • General guidance on types of evidence accepted as proof of compliance with the policy;
  • UK Government Timber Procurement Policy: Criteria for Evaluating Category A Evidence;
  • and
  • UK Government Timber Procurement Policy: Framework for Evaluating Category B Evidence.
    Defra and Proforest

01865 243439

Driving Change - Sustainable Development Action Plans

Last updated: 2008

 

 Since 2005, all central departments and executive agencies of the UK Government have been required to produce a Sustainable Development Action Plan (SDAP).  Departments report progress towards SDAP objectives annually.  As the Government's advisor/watchdog for sustainable development, the Sustainable Development Commission (SDC) is empowered to scrutinise SDAPs and offer support and guidance.

The SDC has prepared this guidance to:

  • Support those involved in the Sustainable Development Action Plan (SDAP) process, whether developing an SDAP for the first time or updating existing plans; and
  • Clearly set out the elements that the SDC will consider in making its regular assessments of SDAPs across Government.
The document provides guidance on understanding and developing SDAPs to assist departments in meeting this target under SPAP and the commitment from Government strategy for sustainable development, Securing the Future.		 Sustainable Development Commission

020 7270 8498

Environmental Management Systems (EMS) This web page provides introductory information on Environmental Management Systems, and outlines the various benefits related to their implementation.  It includes introductory level information on planning your EMS, different phases of EMS and frequently asked questions.  It also includes practitioner information on schemes and standards, accreditation, assessment tool, regulators, register of EMS organisations, local authority and public sector information and links. Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA)
Envirowise Envirowise is a Government-funded programme dedicated to putting the sustainable use of resources at the heart of UK business practice.

Envirowise offers UK businesses free, independent, confidential advice and support on practical ways to increase profits, minimise waste and reduce environmental impact through resource efficiency.		 Envirowise

0800 585 794

EU Code of Conduct for Data Centres The EU Code of Conduct for Data Centres is a European wide voluntary initiative that aims to develop energy efficiency performance standards for data centres. OGC has been working closely with the ICT category team and Defra to produce guidance for data centre owners and operators to enable them to comply with the EU Code of Conduct.   Defra
Green Public Procurement (GPP) The European Union's GPP programme aims to ensure that environmental considerations are taken into account in the public procurement process. A GPP Training Toolkit and a handbook have been published by the programme.

This handbook is designed to help public authorities develop a green purchasing policy.  It explains European Commission (EC) law and looks at solutions that can be used in public procurement procedures.  It also gives examples of green purchasing by public authorities across the European Union.

The toolkit comprises three modules that provide guidance, advice and examples of environmental criteria for inclusion in tendering procedures for 10 commonly purchased product, services and works groups.   The European Commission recommends that Member States refer to these commonly developed criteria under their national GPP policies. The Commission has proposed that Member States should reach a 50 % GPP target by the year 2010 and will measure compliance of public procurement contracts with the toolkit criteria from 2010.		 European Commission

00800 67891011

Low Carbon Buildings Programme Phase 2 Grants for the installation of microgeneration technologies are available to public sector buildings (including schools, hospitals, housing associations and local authorities) and charitable bodies.

Following the Budget announcement on 22 April 2009 an additional £45 million has been allocated to the Low Carbon Buildings Programme (LCBP). LCBP Phase Two has received an additional £35 million of funding.

This programme is now open to all products and installer companies registered on the Microgeneration Certification Scheme.

    

LCBP                

08704 23 23 13

Salix Finance Salix is an independent, publicly funded company set up to accelerate public sector investment in energy efficiency technologies through invest to save schemes. Salix works across the public sector including central government departments, and is responsible for managing the scheme announced in the Budget 2009 to allow public sector bodies to apply for an interest free loan to finance 100% of the costs of energy saving projects.

Projects must comply with the following criteria:

  • the project must pay for itself in energy savings within a maximum 5 year period
  • the cost of CO2 must be less than £100 per tonne over the lifetime of the project
  • the project must be "additional"
This website provides details on the application process and the types of projects that are eligible for funding. OGC and Salix are working together to provide support for central government departments who want to apply for this funding.		 Salix Finance

020 3043 8800

The Sustainability Appraisal Handbook for the MOD Estate

Last updated: 2006

 

 MOD uses a range of Sustainability and Environmental Appraisal Tools to assess and manage the effects of developments and activities with potential to affect the environment, society and economy. They are used to:

  • Integrate sustainability considerations into decision-making processes;
  • Embed SD principles into all areas of Defence Business;
  • Offset, mitigate and monitor significant sustainability impacts from MOD proposals;
  • Achieve legal compliance;
  • Safeguard defence capability, and
  • Avoid delays from unforeseen environmental impacts or legal obligations.
The sustainability and environmental appraisal tool handbook provides guidance on how to use the tools, which are centred around a legal requirement and/or best practice. Other departments may find it useful when conducting their own appraisals.		 MOD

020 7218 9000

Transport in Business The Energy Saving Trust offers a transport advice programme providing support to organisations operating fleet services, offering solutions to help reduce costs and improve the environmental performance of car and van fleets.

As part of this service, organisations with over 50 (up to 3.5 tonnes) fleet vehicles are eligible for a free Green Fleet Review.  This website provides case studies of where organisations have realised cost savings and emissions reductions through a range of initiatives, supported by the Energy Saving Trust.

This website also includes tips for minimising transport emissions through, for example, driving practices, travel planning and car sharing.  There are tools for calculation of emissions from fleet and training packages and materials.		 Energy Saving Trust

0800 512 012

Waterwise Waterwise is a UK NGO focused on decreasing water consumption in the UK and building the evidence base for large-scale water efficiency.  Their website provides a variety of tips and examples for water conservation and efficiency.  While the focus is largely on the home and the individual, many of these tips and water saving devices can be extended to the office environment.  Waterwise

0207 344 1882

WasteOnline The WasteOnline website is managed by Waste Watch, an environmental charity dedicated to sustainable resource use and waste reduction.  Waste Watch provide information, consultancy, publications, training, and advocacy for all sectors.

The website includes a Waste at Work Information Sheet, which outlines information on approaches to measuring waste generated within the office environment and opportunities for green procurement.  The website also includes a list of contacts and publications.

Waste Watch

020 7549 0300

 

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