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Environmental policy

The Natural Environment Research Council is the UK's main agency for funding and managing research, training and knowledge in the environmental sciences. NERC undertakes some of the world's most exciting research projects, tackling major issues such as climate change, environmental influences on human health and the genetic make up of life.

Working internationally, NERC operates from many diverse locations throughout the world, runs a fleet of research ships, aircraft and other infrastructure and invests in satellite technology. NERC operates a number of wholly owned research centres, a number of collaborative centres and also funds research within UK universities.

NERC recognises the important role it has in managing the impact of its day-to-day operations on the environment and in promoting the principles of sustainability in all of its activities.

1.  NERC is committed to:

• being a responsible and environmentally conscientious organisation;
• maintaining and enhancing the quality of the environment wherever it is working, both for people who work there and for the wider community;
• the prevention of pollution;
• the continual improvement of its environmental management and performance;
• implementation of an Environmental Management System.

2.  NERC is committed to achieving environmental best practice throughout its activities by:

• integrating environmental sustainability into strategies, policies and operations;
• complying with and, where appropriate, exceeding applicable legal and other requirements relevant to its operations;
• promoting the prudent use of natural resources and the elimination of waste;
• implementing a sustainable buildings policy to design, build and maintain world class research facilities;
• implementing a transport and travel policy that encourages use of the sustainable transport options available;
• working with the public sector, the higher education sector, all relevant external authorities, environmental bodies and associations to keep up to date with latest developments and to share best practice;
• working with suppliers and contractors, where possible, to ensure the best use of natural resources and to minimise the environmental impact of their goods, supplies and services;
• providing appropriate training to its staff to ensure they are competent to control the activities for which they are responsible, and so support the delivery of this policy;
• developing awareness of its staff of the impact they have on the environment and helping them to minimise this impact;
• communicating this policy to NERC's community and beyond;
• setting targets and objectives; through allocation of capital and resources it will also seek to achieve continual environmental improvement.

The operation of this policy within NERC areas of operation is determined by the Environmental Performance Matrix, see Annex A. It is acknowledged that local arrangements may be in operation, but all local policies and procedures shall in all situations match or exceed those detailed within the NERC Environmental Policy.

NERC will regularly review this policy and ensure that corrective and preventative actions have been taken to ensure continual improvement.

Annex A - Environment Performance Matrix

Explanation notes:

1. RC - Research Centres
2. CC - Collaborative Centres
3. Cont - Research Contracts
4. RG - Research Grants
5. PS - Procurement Suppliers
6. OC - All other Collaborations
7. Cust - Research Customers - external funders of NERC research

1. Legally Compliant - demonstration of legal compliance for all activities undertaken.
2. Environmental Policy - demonstration and publication of an appropriate Environmental Policy for all areas of activity; compliance with the NERC Corporate Environmental Policy.
3. Environmental Management - operation of an appropriate Environmental Management System, eg ISO14001, EMAS.
4. Business Continuity - operation of an appropriate Business Continuity Plan covering areas of operation; demonstration of testing of business continuity plan.
5. Travel & Transport - operation of a travel and transport policy where consideration for appropriate use of travel and transport is given.
6. Environment Procurement - demonstration of appropriate environment procurement.
7. Biodiversity & Habitat - demonstration of consideration of effects of activities on biodiversity and habitat.
8. Carbon Reduction & Utility Management - commitment to carbon reduction strategies and effective utility management.
9. Waste Management - commitment to management and reduction of waste created as part of activities undertaken.
10. Sustainable Buildings Policy - commitment to construction and management of buildings and estates in a sustainable manner, eg BREEAM.
11. Environmental Training & Awareness - operation of an effective training and awareness programme incorporating environmental aspects.
12. Pollution Prevention - operation of an effective pollution management system.

M - Must have
Items identified as 'must have' are expected to be complete by 1 April 2010.

S - Should have
Items identified as 'should have' are expected to become 'must have' from 1 April 2012.

All requirements will be documented in relevant relationship documentation, for example:

The NERC environmental policy is available as a PDF download.

NERC Environmental Policy (49KB)