QMS & EMS London

Whether the new international standard for environmental management systems, ISO 14001:2015, strengthens the links between the EMS and organisational strategy, more effectively engages leaders and ensures environmental aspects are related to business risks and opportunities will largely depend on the quality of the internal and external audits.

Scotland’s oldest university is aiming to be energy self-sufficient by 2016. A paper mill had been operating in the village of Guardbridge outside St Andrews in Fife for more than 130 years when it closed in 2008. One reason for its demise was the rising cost of energy, ironic considering its imminent transformation to a biomass plant constructed primarily to slash energy bills at St Andrews University. The 6MW biomass plant is a key part of St Andrews’ ambitions to become the first university in the UK to be carbon-neutral for energy by 2016. A 12MW wind farm being built just outside the town will also help the university realise its ambition. Together, the projects should reduce the institution’s carbon emissions by 29,000 tonnes a year.

This article explores the role of environmental impact assessments (EIAs) in complex urban sites, in particular, how an ES can ensure that local planning authorities are fully aware of likely effects and can balance those against other considerations.  Nexus Planning has recently secured approval for one of the largest regeneration projects in the London borough of Haringey, at St Ann’s Hospital. The project, for Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust, will deliver 470 new homes, a shop, and new healthcare facilities, including a mental health inpatient building on an 11 hectare site.