Oldham Council is committed to protecting and improving the local and global environment through the implementation of a formal Environmental Management System (EMS) accredited to the ISO 14001 standard. This policy forms the cornerstone of our EMS, providing an important statement of intent, against which this Council will be judged now and in the future.
Our Corporate Plan (2006-09) clearly states our Core Value of Sustainability: to give people a better quality of life now, without leaving problems for future generations here or elsewhere. As a Local Authority we need to lead by example, protect public finances, improve residents’ health and education, promote community cohesion, help protect the environment and manage our own internal systems well.
As with any large organisation we can directly manage our own activities to improve our environmental performance. Our central Community Leadership role put us in a unique position to influence our wider partners across and outside the Borough to do the same. This policy will be updated and republished on a regular basis and communicated to those working for and behalf of Oldham Council through its display in public areas and on the Internet / intranet.
As a result of our determination to protect and improve the local and global environment, Oldham Council has made a commitment to:
Undertake a phased implementation of an Environmental Management System to the ISO 14001 standard for all Council services by March 2009.
Comply with all relevant environmental legislation and exceed requirements where possible.
Control activities to reduce our negative environmental impacts, prevent pollution, and demonstrate continual improvement, whilst maximising our positive environmental impacts.
Raise and maintain the awareness and understanding of all staff of the Environmental Policy and work programmes.
Resource Use and addressing Climate Change: Minimise resource consumption across Council operations (including energy and water) and progress the use and generation of renewable energy.
Waste Management and Recycling: Reduce waste generation across Council operations, reuse where appropriate, and implement recycling along with strategies to reduce waste volume.
Travel Planning: Minimising the environmental impacts of Council and employee travel by encouraging the use of, sustainable alternatives to the car for journeys to, from and whilst at work.
Biodiversity: Conserve, enhance and as appropriate, restore priority habitats for wildlife consistent with Biodiversity Action Plans for Oldham Borough and the Peak District National Park.
Sustainable Design and Construction: Design and construct new schools and Council buildings to incorporate sustainable design and construction techniques, and utilise our influence in other construction projects in the Borough to follow these practices.
Sustainable Procurement: Developing our purchasing practices to increase the sustainability of Oldham Council’s procurement with regard to services, quantities, product types and whole life impacts.
Work in Partnership: To work with key partners in the public, private and voluntary sectors to ensure major strategies and plans are shaped and influenced by the whole community.
For further information on the Council's Environment Policy, please contact the Environmental Policy Unit on 0161 770 3480 or e-mail environmental.policy@oldham.gov.uk.