The University is working towards establishing an externally accredited Environmental Management System (EMS).
An EMS is similar to other management systems, such as those that manage quality or safety. It assesses an organisation's strengths and weaknesses, helps identify and manage significant environmental impacts, saves money by increasing efficiency, helps ensure compliance with environmental legislation and provides benchmarks for improvements. An EMS can also help manage resources, and improve the reliability and credibility of an organisation’s environmental policy.
The University is making great progress towards establishing an EMS for the University. We have already:
- defined the scope of our EMS and management structure
- conducted a thorough analysis of the environmental impacts of our operations and services including risks and opportunities
- identified which pieces of environmental legislation the University has to comply with
- determined the needs of interested parties relevant to the EMS
- developed an environmental policy
- set environmental targets and objectives.
The University’s EMS covers activities, products and services at all sites within the EMS scope. The EMS scope incorporates the ‘operational estate’. This constitutes all academic Schools, Departments and Faculties of the University, the University Farm, in addition to the Unified Administrative Service (UAS). The EMS scope does not cover the Colleges, Cambridge Assessment, or Cambridge University Press. The EMS will also not cover the rural estate or non-operational estate.
The Environmental Manager manages the University’s EMS. Please contact environment@admin.cam.ac.uk if you require further information on our EMS.