Legal & General’s chosen contractors or suppliers are expected to demonstrate that they maintain effective policies and procedures for environmental management.
We assess our key suppliers using a questionnaire-based process, and where appropriate environmental management capability is not maintained, we are committed to working with the supply chain to develop sustainable improvements.
These notes are designed to provide guidance to key suppliers in both the completion of the questionnaire and the development of improved environmental practices.
Depending upon the type of goods or services being provided, a recognised environmental management standard such as ISO14001 or EMAS may be compulsory to achieve a successful assessment. Examples include suppliers providing paper or other wood based products.
Where the production or delivery does not pose a high risk to the environment through say the loss of habitats, excessive production of carbon dioxide, methane or other ‘greenhouse gases’, operation of a recognised management standard is preferred only.
If a recognised environmental management standard is in place, the supplier should provide a copy of the certificate.
We anticipate that all our key suppliers will hold or be actively seeking environmental accreditation during the period of engagement with them.
Environmental Policy
It is anticipated that the supplier will have a current environmental policy, which is signed and dated by a senior official of that organisation. A copy should be provided including the date of last revision if not included on the policy.
We believe that a good policy statement will include a commitment to prevent pollution and comply with current environmental legislation. This is a strategic document, which will give a high-level overview of the environmental impacts relevant to that organisation by way of reference to the environmental controls it has in place or initiatives it is running.
Example inclusions within the policy are the control of emissions, the training and involvement of employees and the selection of the organisation’s own suppliers based upon evidence of their environmental criteria.
Environmental Advice
We assume that the supplier will have appointed a designated manager or director who is responsible for environmental management within that company. We therefore seek information about the type of environmental management experience that the individual has had and the nature of any qualifications held. An example here is that the person could be an environmental auditor or attended relevant internal or external courses.
Credit is given where a supplier has employed a relevant consultant to provide environmental advice.
Environmental Management
On the basis of ‘what gets measured, gets done’, we anticipate that the organisation will have objectives and targets for environmental management, which relate to the majority of areas indicated on the policy statement.
The objectives need to be specific, time bound and show how progress will be measured and reported. They could include the planned reduction of emissions and the reduced use of, say, water and paper. It is important that details of all initiatives are provided, including, for example, the recycling of paper or toner cartridges, the use of remanufactured cartridges, the installation of waterless urinals and, say, a transport policy which perhaps provides bike loans and encourages employees to use public transport.
Environmental Training
We believe that employee involvement is critical to the success of an organisation. We anticipate that the supplier will have provided environmental training to its employees where the details may include induction training, procedural instruction, focus groups and the inclusion of relevant notes in employee or training manuals.
Environmental Procedures
Objectives and targets need to be accompanied by documented environmental procedures. If the objective is to recycle 100% of suitable paper for example, the procedures could include how the suitability of the paper is ascertained and what employees must do to segregate their waste.
Where procedures are detailed, we request a copy of a procedure manual.
Environmental Risk Assessment
An environmental risk assessment is required only if a supplier undertakes work on a Legal & General site. The questionnaire details bullet points including identification of potential impacts and the control measures in place to eliminate or reduce risks.
Compliance with Legislation
We require that we must be advised immediately of any non-compliance with relevant Environmental legislation and be provided with details of prosecutions.
