University recognised for its environmental practices

The University has received an internationally-recognised award for the high standard of its environmental practices.

The ISO 14001 Certificate Award recognises the arrangements an organisation has in place to manage its aspects and impacts for the greater good of the environment.

Bernard Angus, University Director of Safety, Health and Environment, received the Award from Emma Fawcett-Jones, International Business Manager for Certification International, on Friday, 1 March.

He said: 'ISO 14001 is the cornerstone of a series of international standards on environmental management. It provides a framework for the development of an environmental management system and the supporting audit programme.

'The ISO 14000 series emerged primarily as a result of the Uruguay round of the GATT negotiations and the Rio Summit on the Environment held in 1992. While GATT concentrates on the need to reduce non-tariff barriers to trade, the Rio Summit generated a commitment to protection of the environment across the world.'

The areas at the University covered by ISO 14001 include: environmental awareness; energy efficiency and carbon reduction; waste management and disposal of all types of waste; re-cycling; water usage and management; whole life cycle procurement, wherever possible; and the continuous improvement and management of records.

Contact: M.J.Herrema@kent.ac.uk

Story published at 10:21am 11 March 2013