This year is a landmark one for climate change. In Copenhagen this month, the world will come together at the United Nations conference to agree a new international agreement to tackle climate change. The current international agreement, the Kyoto Protocol, will expire in 2012. Copenhagen, in effect, will create its successor.

The Road to Copenhagen is the UK Government’s case for an ambitious agreement at Copenhagen and focuses on urgent action to limit global temperature increases to no more than 2 degrees Celsius, beyond which the risks of dangerous climate change become much greater.

The UK Government as part of it,s overall strategy to combat climate change, is committed to minimising the amount of waste produced and getting as much value as possible out of what is left by reuse, recycling or composting and the recovery of energy while protecting human health. Efficient use of resources and the effective management of waste [in all it's forms] are essential functions of an environmentally sustainable economy.

Environmental Management is a systematic approach whereby an organisation takes responsibility for the environmental impact of its activities. The successful management of environmental impacts is to allow the use of energy, natural resources, and waste in a manner that ensures the long term sustainability of an organisation.

The Institute of Management Services [IMS] members have a proven record in assisting management in sytematically identifying and reducing waste in the field of human endeavour and material resources. This role could be productively expanded to include waste minimisation in all its forms.

Shown in the table below are some examples of ‘ Waste’ that could be tackled in a more coordinated  and systematic way, using Management Services tools and techniques.

Typical Wastes

Green Wastes
Excess Work Content Greenhouse Gases
Unproductive Working Methods Eutrophication
Wasted Movement [Transportation] Excessive Resource Usage
Waiting Time Excessive Water Usage
Excessive Material Resources Excessive Power Usage
Low Productivity Pollution
Correcting Errors Rubbish
Under utilisation of People Potential Poor Health & Safety

As an example, the conceptual framework, shown below, could be developed to incorporate the environmental management aspects into our traditional areas, using established IMS  techniques, procedures and critical analysis processes.

Management Services

Application of the Method Study Procedure to Achieve the Minimisation of Waste and Inefficiencies.

SELECT

the subject to be studied.

RECORD

all the relevant facts about the present process.

EXAMINE

those facts critically and in sequence.

DEVELOP

the best value process having regard to all contingent circumstances.

INSTALL

the process as standard practice.

MAINTAIN

Continuous improvement.

Human

Resources

Employees.

Wage Cost.

Productivity.

Health and Safety procedures.

Un-occupied Time.

Output.

Absenteeism.

Working Methods.

Measured Work Rate.

Activity Based costing.

Working/Environmental Conditions.

Health & Safety.

Human Rights.

Terms & conditions of Service.

The optimum use of Human Resources.

Employment & Equal Opportunities Policy.

Occupational Health Policy.

Specify the method.

Consult on any changes.

Retrain as necessary.

Monitor and, review as part of a  continuous improvement programme.

Buildings

% Space utilisation.

Water / Energy consumption.

Insulation.

Carbon footprint.

Risk Management.

Health & Safety.

Accessibility.

Fit for Purpose?

Environmental Issues.

Energy and water.

Conservation measures.

Space &energy costs.

Pollution.

Penalties for non compliance to Environmental Legislation.

Safe & Healthy and working conditions.

The most cost effective use of all buildings.

An Environmental improvement programme.

Carbon reduction policy.

Energy Conservation Measures.

Monitor and review as part of a continuous improvement programme.

Plant, Machines

& Equipment

% utilisation.

Energy consumption.

Safety Precautions.

Manual processes.

Maintenance Costs.

Cost effective utilisation.

Potential energy & water reduction.

Alternative method of production & supply.

The most cost effective use of plant and equipment.

Publicise the new Energy Conservation Measures.

Monitor and  review as part of a continuous improvement programme.

Materials

Type & Amount Source.

Cost

Method of Storage.

Recycling policy.

Fit for purpose?

Alternatives?

Economies by redesign.

% waste through faulty work

Transport, handling and storage at all stages.

Recycle / reuse.

Sustainable procurement policy.

Environmentally friendly products.

Greater economy of materials.

Sustainable procurement Policy to demonstrate commitment to suppliers and customers.

Monitor and review as part of a continuous improvement programme.

Land

Utilisation.

Activity Based Costing.

Environmental Management Policy.

Productive Use.

Agricultural Yield.

Protected Plants and Wildlife.

Alternative use.

Ecology.

The most productive use.

An Environmental Improvement Programme.

Renewable energy source.

Energy Conservation Measures.

Monitor and review as part of a  continuous improvement programme.

The procedure shown above is a basic framework which could be used in waste minimisation strategies, it is not intended to be comprehensive. The entries under each heading are examples of the things that could potentially be included in any review undertaken. Any comments/views on the feasibility of this approach would be welcomed.