Cynics would say that the reason companies become sustainable or environmentally efficient is because they are jumping on the PR bandwagon. This may be half true, but sustainability is about more than image.

An environmental audit is one way that companies can objectively tackle the environmental framework of their company to specify which areas can improve performance and where money can be generated or saved.

While the aim is similar in most companies, the resources, depth and cost can vary wildly depending on the sector. Companies should think about implementing an environment management system (EMS), so that once an initial audit is done, the systems are in place to ensure the company sticks to what it said it would do.
The audit should seek to establish:
• Legal compliance in the UK, EU and abroad;
• Risk reduction;
• Performance improvement;
• Cost reduction;
• Efficiency;
• Implementation of an EMS which should help strengthen the current systems; and
• Communication to staff, stakeholders and customers.

Well documented
A good audit should be a documented, systematic and objective evaluation of a company’s environmental performance, which specifies management systems that need to be put in place to continue auditing in the future.

There are various types of environmental audits that a company can carry out, such as:
• Environmental audit – This is a general overview of the company, both internally and externally. Externally, things to look at would include the physical footprint of the company and the impact of the site. Internally, you could look at the operational processes to identify emissions used on storage, waste, lighting, heating, water, travel, etc.
• Waste audit – Identifying waste production and handling on site, including storage and cost. Once this has been determined quantities of waste can be established and reduction objectives put in place. Hidden waste is also taken into consideration such as energy, water and raw materials.
• Waste disposal site audit – This is usually undertaken as part of Duty of Care Regulations. The audit aims to ensure a company’s waste is being disposed of correctly as well as limit landfill useage wherever possible.
• Compliance audit – These are used in conjunction with an EMS system and generally has to be verified by an accredited party.
• Water audit – An audit will quantify the water used and help to identify discrepancies such as leaks or wastage.
• Due diligence audit – This is usually carried out on behalf of potential investors. It is generally done externally and will encompass other factors such as health and safety, risk assessment and legislative requirements.
• Business travel audit – Companies compiling this type of audit will look at the quantified data of carbon emissions from business travel, including fleet, flights and employees travelling to work.

If it’s worth having
According to Bill Sneyd, director of advisory services at the CarbonNeutral Company, the process could take between one and six months depending on the type of company in question and cost around £3,000 to £10,000 for the overall audit.

“It requires resources, time, a regime and commitment, but anything worth having is worth making an effort for,” he says. And It is certainly worth the effort if CarbonNeutral Company claims of 20% savings annually, for most companies, is anything to go by.

Sneyd adds that some of the skills needed may not be available in-house and it could be easier and more cost effective to get outside help (see Outsourcing environmental auditing function).

Richard Pytel, a surveyor at energyTeam, advises that another step in the right direction would be to implement a company-wide environmental policy after the audit to ensure all future equipment, suppliers and staff adhere to the changes.

However, the most important aspect of any environmental policy is support from the board; otherwise, according to Pytel, “you could be whistling in the wind”.

Outsourcing environmental auditing function
There are occasions when it could be more cost effective to outsource an environmental audit to a consultant, who has more experience and expertise in that field. However, there are many aspects that you need to take into account when choosing a consultant.

First and foremost, the consultant will need to know and fully understand your business needs. Once this has been established, a plan should be drawn up detailing what it is that you want to achieve and whether they are in a position to fulfil your requirements.
Common services that you would normally require from a consultant are:
• Identifying legislation that your company needs to comply with;
• Minimising carbon emissions;
• Assistance with permits and licences;
• Carrying out an energy and waste review, as well as reports on ways to lower your emissions and ways to make cost savings;
• Offering advice on equipment and procedures that lower your environmental impact;
• Assistance with drawing up environmental strategies, for example, environment management systems;
• Training your staff on new procedures and explanations as to why they have been implemented;
• What will the audit cost and how will the fees be calculated? It is advisable to get a quote from at least three consultancies; and
• Do they have enough resources to cope with the audit or will they have to outsource, and how does that affect your fee.

Useful links
www.energyteam.co.uk
www.carbonneutral.com
www.envirowise.gov.uk