Introduction

White Young Green Environmental (WYGE) has successfully secured European Regional Development Funds (ERDF) and Single Programme Funding to enable delivery of free environmental management support to small and medium sized organisations in the Lincolnshire area.

The Project (Green Lincs), funded until October 2008, has been designed to provide businesses with the opportunity to improve environmental performance, realise associated cost savings, and ultimately contribute positively to environmental sustainability within the region.

Green Lincs has been developed to help small and medium sized organisations evaluate environmental performance and develop improved environmental management controls through the use of BS8555/Acorn - The phased approach to environmental management

The Programme

Up to 70 participant organisations will be recruited to undertake an environmental review that can be delivered either remotely (on-line) or directly on-site by WYGE consultants.

The review has been designed to identify strengths and opportunities for improvement. Where relevant recommendations for improvement will be made and participants will be signposted to suitable sources of help. (e.g. Envirowise).

The 35 most suitable organisations will be selected to participate in an environmental management improvement programme utilising BS8555/Acorn.

This approach breaks down the process of implementing an Environmental Management System into five phases. There is also a sixth phase allowing companies the possibility of seeking recognition against ISO 14001 and/or EMAS. For each phase there are a number of stages each with their own achievement criteria. Phases 1 to 3 are summarised below.

Under the funded programme:

• All 70 companies will receive a confidential environmental review containing recommendations for improvement.
• All 35 companies will be supported to Phase 1 of BS8555.
• 10 companies will be supported to Phase 2.
• 5 companies will be supported to Phase 3.

Organisations wishing to progress further and/or gain external recognition will also be provided with guidance on how to achieve this.

Larger organisations and supply chain leaders can also benefit from the programme by encouraging their suppliers to participate (training and support programmes can be designed around individual supply chains). This helps to reduce the indirect environmental impacts generated by the supply chain. In previous similar programmes supply chain leaders have used funding to support Supply chain environmental objectives (and contribute to their own environmental management commitments.

Capacity Building

WYGE will ensure continued provision of environmental services by capacity building 20 local consultants and business support organisations. This will ensure the continued provision of quality environmental management support beyond the lifetime of the project.

A brief summary of benefits for SME participants

1. Improved environmental performance
2. Potential cost savings generated as a result of energy, waste and raw materials efficiency
3. Ability to demonstrate environmental management controls to a wide range of stakeholders including customers, clients and regulators
4. Improved awareness and control of legal requirements leading to reduced risk from prosecution

A brief summary of benefits to mentors and supply chain leaders

1. Ability to improve environmental performance within supply chain
2. Supports ISO 14001 requirement to address indirect environmental aspects and impacts
3. Raises environmental profile of the organisation

We plan to host a launch event in autumn 2006 with a data and venue to be decided. Information will be forwarded in due course.

To find out how you can benefit from the project contact:
Liz Minshall at White Young Green Environmental.
Tel: 01623 684620
E-mail: elizabeth.minshall@wyg.com