The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) uses an environmental management system certified to ISO 14001:2004 to implement its environmental policy.

Certification to ISO 14001:2004 for the Holyrood complex and surrounding grounds was achieved in January 2007.
   - View the certificate
   - View news release

ISO 14001 is the internationally recognised standard for environmental management systems.

The standard assesses the way an organisation:

• integrates environmental considerations into its management structures,
• handles its environmental impacts and continually improves its environmental performance in areas such as waste, energy and procurement,
• achieves legal compliance with all relevant environmental legislation.

The SPCB recognises that what it does can have positive and negative environmental impacts in Scotland and further afield. This policy has been produced to address the impacts that the SPCB can control and influence, as it translates the theory of sustainable development into practical action.

Vision

The SPCB is committed to becoming a role model for best practice in environmental performance. It is working towards a sustainable future by minimising adverse impacts on the environment and maximising environmental improvement.

Aim

The SPCB’s aim is continually to improve its environmental performance and to protect the environment by reducing pollution and resource consumption, and by supporting and encouraging biodiversity.

Objectives

The SPCB will:

• minimise carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions which result from energy use, through in-house energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy;

• reduce the consumption of resources, in particular office consumables and packaging;

• minimise waste production by identifying ways to reduce, reuse and recycle materials;

• purchase in an environmentally responsible manner;

• reduce the impact of travel and transport to and from the Parliament, by encouraging the use of more sustainable transport and reducing the need to travel where appropriate;

• support and encourage biodiversity within the parliamentary complex;

• reduce its impact on national and global biodiversity;

• seek to positively influence those who use and visit the building through communication, guidance and training;

• identify and comply with legal and other requirements that relate to the environment;

• promote best practice;

• develop and implement an environmental management system (EMS) which complies with the international standard for Environmental Management (ISO 14001). The EMS will cover the Parliament complex and surrounding grounds.

The environmental policy has been agreed by the SPCB and the Parliament's Senior Management Team, but it is dependent on the support and co-operation of all those working in, using and visiting the Parliament to ensure its effective implementation.

George Reid Presiding Officer	Paul Grice Chief Executive

Policy Date: 21 October 2005