Transcript Did you know? - Library

This is for any Prospect member interested in the environment
and climate change and who’d like to join the e-network or
become an environment representative in their workplace.
The presentation aims to give you an idea of the trade union
position on environmental sustainability and how we can all
contribute and participate in our workplaces.
Some slides have clearly marked links to additional
information or Prospect resources.
The slide sections are hyperlinked so you can skip to sections of
interest. Some slides are animated – clicking ‘enter’ will progress
the slide. The presentation includes:
• Brief background information of climate change, green house
gas reduction, UK and devolved administration targets, risks
and policy. (5 slides)
• An outline of why this is a trades union matter. (3 slides)
• An overview of key workplace topics and member case studies.
(10 slides) energy efficiency, carbon management plans, heating cooling
and ventilation, travel and transport, waste management, water and
biodiversity)
• Vision for sustainable workplaces and role profiles. (4 slides)
• I’m in ~ next steps. (2 slides)
What on earth is going on?
Research by thousands of scientists, over several decades, provides evidence for a
changing climate caused mainly by emissions from human activity and over
consumption of resources, leading to significant global risks - for example changing
weather patterns, floods, droughts, loss of species & acidification of oceans.
If global greenhouse gas emissions continue to increase at their current rate, average
temperatures are expected to rise by more than two degrees above pre-industrial
levels by around the middle of this century, and by four degrees by the end of this
century.
Increases of two degrees or more will bring major
challenges for public wellbeing and the economy with
the risk of dangerous and irreversible impacts.
Some useful links if you wish to know more:
• UK Meteorological Office www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate-guide
• UK Committee on climate change www.theccc.org.uk
• Intergovernmental panel on climate change www.ipcc.ch/
UK regional climate change risks associated with
global warming
Key: Most significant climate change effect/Key consequences and receptors. Compiled by
Defra, UK Climate Change Risk Assessment 2012
Clicking on a flag will take you to the government policy and action page
To tackle the worst effects of climate change, the UK has the 2008
Climate Change Act. It places a restriction on the total amount of
greenhouse gases (GHG) the UK can emit over a 5-year period –
setting a target to reduce emissions by 80% by 2050.
The Climate Change Scotland Act 2009 commits Scotland to a 42%
reduction in emissions by 2020 with annual reduction targets from
2010 to 2022. The Act also sets out the duties on public bodies
relating to climate change and gives powers to develop a Scottish
climate change adaptation programme.
The Environment (Wales) Act 2016 contains a long term emissions
reduction target of 80% by 2050 with an interim target of 40%
reduction by 2020. The Climate Change Strategy for Wales sets out
where action will be taken to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions
that Wales produces.
The graphic helps us to visualise what CO2 looks like. By 2050 (in target
periods) we have to reduce carbon emissions by 10,294 megatonnes of CO2e.
This means a change to the way we do business. (1mil tonnes = a megatonne)
Within the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
the environment and climate change agenda also covers:
Nature goals
Well being goals
Society goals
Economic goals
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have already developed policy and activity
along the SDG lines. Large companies are also aligning their Corporate Social
Responsibility and Climate Change benchmarks to SDG indicators.
Briefing: The 2030 sustainable development agenda
https://library.prospect.org.uk/id/2015/November/27/The-2030-agenda-sustainable-development
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Why this is a trade union issue?
(feedback from member training sessions, new conference policy and external research)
Establishing a Prospect response to the introduction of environmental or carbon
reduction policies, standards, targets or initiatives is a legitimate focus for
bargaining because it will (and does) affect daily working life.
It is important that operational implications of targets and policies are
properly considered in relation to impact, consultation with and
participation of staff.
Links to more trade union information:
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Prospect policy and action plan www.prospect.org.uk/about/ourpolicies/environment
TUC union reps www.tuc.org.uk/workplace-issues/green-workplaces
Sustain Labour www.sustainlabour.org/
Feedback and evidence from Prospect members and
published research
•
Climate change knows NO boundaries or national borders.
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We typically campaign for, and defend, healthier workplaces (air, water etc) and
contribute to the wellbeing and health & safety agenda.
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Reducing energy, water and waste costs can contribute to saving jobs.
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Improving transport policies for, to and from work is good for staff and the local
community.
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Changing work patterns due to energy efficiency and technical advances may be
supported by union activity on behavioural change in the workplace.
•
It’s a positive platform for workplace dialogue on organisational change and
‘stakeholder’ engagement for reporting criteria on standards.
•
There is potential to create new, skilled jobs in changing industries associated
with a low carbon economy.
Delegates to Prospect’s 2016 conference voted
unanimously for the union to:
1. Lobby the Government to meet its obligation and to work with the Trades Union
Congress ensuring that workers have a voice in the transition to a low carbon
economy.
2. Encourage every branch to elect an environment representative to ensure Prospect
participation in workplace carbon reduction, environmental initiatives and the
development of transition pathways for those Prospect sectors most affected by
climate change adaptation and mitigation.
3. Share best practice from environment representatives who have worked with their
organisations to reduce carbon emissions and bargained to include environment
representatives in organisational committees and networks.
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Workplace focus
(changing the things we can)
This section looks at workplace matters impacting on staff. Each topic
has a link to additional resources and a couple of ‘conversation’
starters. The topics are:
1. Organisational plans and arrangements to reduce greenhouse
gas (GHG) emissions:
• Carbon management plans
• Energy efficiency plans
2. Specific focus on elements impacting staff
• Heating cooling and ventilation
• Lighting and electrical equipment
• Travel and transport for work
• Waste management
• Water
• Biodiversity
Carbon management plans (CMPs)
Relates to: Resource and energy efficiency, carbon emission reduction and behavioural change
Carbon management means the measurement and management of the six greenhouse
gases (GHG) covered by the Kyoto Protocol. A carbon management plan (CMP) is the way
organisations organise, measure, manage and report on their CO2e emissions – in effect
shrinking their carbon footprint.
Public sector bodies (UK wide) and private companies are required to report annually
on their GHG emissions and environmental performance.
Introducing a CMP typically impacts working practices and may cover and/or include
carbon budgets, travel and transport, lighting, equipment, heating, ventilation,
waste, biodiversity and possibly building retrofitting or renovation.
Did you know?
At the National Library of Scotland, the CMP resulted in CO2
emission reductions of 623 tonne with cost savings of £75,000 per
year.
A short email is estimated to have a footprint of 4 grams (0.14
ounces) of CO2e. (Includes GHG produced from running a computer,
servers and routers and the carbon produced in their manufacture)
Guidance: conversation or bargaining pointers
https://library.prospect.org.uk/id/2016/March/18/Carbon-Management-Plans-your-work-footprint
Energy efficiency plans (EEPs)
Relates to: Resource and energy efficiency, carbon emission reduction and behavioural change
Improving energy efficiency is the goal to reduce the amount of energy required to
provide products and services. It includes businesses, buildings, products, equipment,
homes and transport. Energy efficiency is an instrument to reduce energy usage and
thus savings.
Energy efficiency is directly linked to reducing greenhouse gases associated with
climate change. Every time we switch on electricity powered devices or machinery
carbon dioxide (CO2) is released into the atmosphere.
Did you know?
Using your mobile phone for one hour a day for a year
would produce 79kg of CO2 (Ethical consumer & Good Electronics)
Implementation of policies could save a total of £18 billion
on energy and transport bills by 2020.
Guidance: conversation or bargaining pointers
https://library.prospect.org.uk/id/2015/December/10/Energy-efficiency-beyond-light-bulbs
Heating, cooling and ventilation
Relates to: Energy efficiency, carbon emission reduction, air quality & health and safety
According to the Carbon Trust, up to 60% of a workplace's energy costs can be due to
heating and hot water. All too often workplaces are over-heated or over-chilled, or
waste lots of energy through poor insulation, or inadequate or wrongly set thermostats,
timers and controls.
Employers are legally obliged to safeguard the health, safety and welfare of employees
under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and health and safety regulations, and to
consult safety reps on health and safety matters (including temperature, humidity,
ventilation, lighting, and use of electrical equipment).
Did you know?
Air conditioning an office for 1 extra hour a day uses
enough energy in a month to power a TV for over a
year.
A 2 degree increase in office temperature creates enough
carbon in a year to fill a hot air balloon.
Guidance: conversation or bargaining pointers and checklist
https://library.prospect.org.uk/id/2015/00973
Lighting and electrical equipment
Relates to: Energy & resource efficiency, carbon emission reduction, working practices and behavioural change
From PCs to vending machines, office equipment of one kind or another is used by
almost all businesses, and accounts for around 15% of all the electrical energy used in
UK offices. Lighting alone can account for 40% of energy costs in a business.
Office equipment is the fastest growing energy user in the world of work, consuming
15% of the total electricity used. This is expected to double by 2020. Equipment and
lighting can generate high levels of heat and affect air quality, vision, and noise.
Did you know?
Office lights left on overnight use enough energy in a
year to heat a home for almost 5 months.
A photocopier left on standby overnight wastes
enough energy to make 30 cups of tea.
The energy wasted from a compressed air leak the size of a match head is responsible
for yearly CO2 emissions equal to the weight of an elephant.
Guidance: conversation or bargaining pointers and checklist
https://library.prospect.org.uk/id/2015/00974
Travel and transport for work
Relates to: energy & resource efficiency, carbon emission reduction, health and safety and behavioural change
Every mile we drive, we emit carbon dioxide (CO2) into the
atmosphere. CO2 is a greenhouse gas which is a major contributor to
climate change. With more than 30 million vehicles on our roads, if
every driver could reduce, and neutralise their CO2 emissions, the
environmental benefits would be dramatic.
Whilst travel by car is often the only practicable option,
organisations now have to consider travel as part of their energy
audits, climate change reporting and carbon footprint measurements.
Did you know?
It is estimated that of the CO2 emissions produced over a car's lifespan - 10% come from
its manufacture and 5% from its disposal, with the remaining 85% coming from fuel use.
The most dangerous and widespread air pollutants are nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide
and particulates. These are mainly produced by traffic fumes. It can be linked to at
least 40,000 deaths in the UK every year (British Lung Foundation).
Guidance: conversation or bargaining pointers
https://library.prospect.org.uk/id/2015/December/10/Ultra-low-zero-carbon-travel-transport
Waste management
Relates to: Resource efficiency, carbon emission reduction and behavioural change
Workplaces generate 250 million tonnes of waste a year in the UK alone. That’s ten
times more than all household waste put together.
Most UK waste ends up in landfill where it rots releasing toxins into soil, air and water.
It creates methane, a greenhouse gas more powerful than carbon dioxide. Landfill
emissions account for 74% of emissions associated with waste.
Lots of materials produced in workplaces can be recycled. It is however important to
recognise consumption and buying practices.
With permission © Seppo Leinonen,
www.seppo.net
Did you know?
Methane emissions from biodegradable waste in
landfill accounts for 40% of all UK methane emissions.
The devolved plans include Zero Waste Plan
(Scotland), Towards Zero Waste strategy (Wales),
Waste Management strategy (N.Ireland)
Guidance: conversation or bargaining pointers (pages #54 to #58)
Go Green at Work https://www.prospect.org.uk/library/documents/201500645_tuc_guide_go_green_at_work/
Water
Relates to: Resource efficiency, carbon emission reduction and behavioural change
Cutting water wastage is vital to protecting our environment. Much of the world’s
freshwater is locked up as ice or is buried deep underground. Water in rivers and lakes,
in soil-moisture and shallow ground-water make up 11.35% of all non-ocean water and
just 0.31% of all water.
Purifying water, storing, heating and moving it around to businesses and homes is an
energy-intensive business – so water use also has an impact on carbon emissions.
Did you know?
A tap dripping twice a second would waste 10,000
litres over the course of a year.
It takes 200,000,000 litres per second to grow
food for the planet. On average we use 137 litres
per person per day.
To produce just one pint of beer, takes 170 litres
of water.
All the fresh water in the world
visualisation (carbonvisuals.com)
Guidance: conversation or bargaining pointers (pages #59 to #62)
Go Green at Work https://www.prospect.org.uk/library/documents/201500645_tuc_guide_go_green_at_work/
Biodiversity (restore, recreate and reconnect)
Relates to: Resource efficiency, off-setting carbon and well being.
Biodiversity loss is a critical global environmental threat. Our biodiversity is under
pressure from climatic changes, habitat loss and degradation, excessive nutrient load
and other forms of pollution, over-exploitation and unsustainable use and invasive alien
species.
UK businesses also lose out from environmental degradation. Problems with the security
of supply (nexus of food, water and energy) – with real shortages in resources and
disruption to their availability – may become apparent.
Did you know?
An estimated 13 million hectares of
tropical forests are cleared each year and
20% of the world’s tropical coral reefs have
already disappeared
In 2012, researchers looked at the extinction of plants from counties across the UK
and found in 16 counties, one plant species become extinct every other year
Briefing: conversation or bargaining pointers
https://library.prospect.org.uk/id/2014/00630
We have 102 environment representatives across a variety of 51 workplaces. The enetwork is made up of over 280 members ~ based in offices, industrial sites, research
establishments, heritage locations and flexible working situations.
The graphic is a
snapshot from
case studies
reflecting the
range of activity
and progress
made, in their
workplaces.
Clicking on the
image will open
the case study
document in
PDF format.
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The vision for environmentally sound workplaces
Where appropriate, you could be the Prospect voice in your workplace acting as a
conduit between management and members with the aim of raising awareness and
participating in initiatives that may include:
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Reducing energy consumption and increasing energy efficiency thereby reducing
carbon emissions.
Using available resources to reduce air, land, water and noise pollution.
Promoting a mixed transport policy that promotes clean car technology, public
transport, cycling and walking.
Supporting the protection, development and/or regeneration of the natural
environmental.
Working together to identify future climate adaptation and/or mitigation
initiatives.
Encouraging positive behaviours to minimise consumption, optimise resources,
source materials sustainably and responsibly dispose of waste.
Depending on your organisational structure and personal interest, possible
activities may be formal and/or informal.
Sample text for an agreement: https://library.prospect.org.uk/id/2015/June/18/Environment-Rep-agreement
Anyone keen enough or who has a personal or professional interest
can get involved
Just as unions and employers work together to improve health and safety in the
workplace, environment representatives or e-network members champion
environmental issues in the workplace.
In broad terms, you will be the trade union voice ~ raising awareness and
participating in initiatives, plans and programmes.
If your employer has an integrated sustainability
agenda (social, environment and/or economic)
the term ‘sustainability’ representative may be used.
Briefing: Getting started
https://library.prospect.org.uk/id/2015/August/4/Getting-started-as-an-Environment-Representative
Activity in formal organisational
structures could include:
 Participating in your organisation’s environment or sustainability networks,
committees or forums.
 Participating in monitoring environmental performance over and above
the company’s legal and regulatory obligations including auditing and
verification for certification reporting purposes.
If you are part of a formal structure, you may be involved in:
• Consultations on issues which materially affect employees. For example,
significant changes in working practices, training requirements.
introduction of new technology and processes.
• Discussions on sustainability plans, initiatives and policies including
climate readiness, waste reduction, energy efficiency and carbon
reduction plans.
• Where appropriate you may be able to challenge, monitor and advance
environmental considerations and solutions.
Activity in less formal structures could
include:
• Encouraging positive behaviours that support environmental objectives,
share information and best practice through the Prospect.
• Arranging themed or awareness days, for example cycle to work day,
grow your own, water conversation day, meat free Mondays etc.
• Raising awareness and sharing information on sustainability plans,
initiatives and policies including matters arising on climate readiness,
mitigation and adaptation plans.
• Encouraging and contributing to a sustainable procurement policy, for
example, buying local, seasonal foods and disposing of goods or waste.
• Consulting on issues which may materially affect employees. For
example, significant changes in working practices, training
requirements, introduction of new technology and processes.
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I'm in ~ next steps
1. Discuss your interest in the role with your local Prospect branch
secretary, organiser and/or committee. With their approval you will be
registered on the Prospect membership system as an environment
representative.
2. Investigate your organisation’s ambitions, plans and targets. This can be
found on intranets or internet pages dedicated to CSR, sustainability or
environmental performance and annual reports.
3. Establish what is already in place, for example a department,
committee, forum or staff network.
4. With your Prospect branch committee support, request a meeting with
appropriate management and request attendance at formal meetings.
5. Feedback to members through your local committee.
Entry points chart:
https://library.prospect.org.uk/id/2014/August/18/Environment-Reps-entry-points-activity
Doing nothing is not an option ~ everyone can
do something!
If you’d like to stay informed, please join the
environment e-network via the Prospect website or by
sending an email to [email protected]