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Environmental Management System

Our Environmental Management System (EMS) is externally certified to ISO 14001: 2015, view our certificate (PDF) and supports our Environmental Policy (PDF).  It includes all activities conducted on the city campus, on our residential sites and sports and conferencing facilities. If you would like to find out more about our EMS a training module is available to all staff on Minerva, which should only take around 10 minutes to complete.

We are currently in the process of working to ensure that all our documents are accessible. In the meantime, if you require an accessible version of our EMS documents please email: sustainability@leeds.ac.uk.

EMS documentation

Current versions of operational EMS documents are available below. Controlled versions of these, as well as EMS system documents are stored electronically on a system called EQMS. Instructions (PDF) explain how to access and use the EQMS software.

If you have any problems with using the EQMS system, please email sustainability@leeds.ac.uk.

In the EQMS system the EMS documentation is available on the left of the screen via the document tree. Essential documentation is within the Environmental Management System folder.

Current versions of operational EMS documents related to specific areas of work are available below.

Please note that the below links generate unique up-to-date PDFs that will expire, so when referencing these documents, please link to this web page rather than the PDFs, or copy the link directly from this page.

Biodiversity

Biodiversity Standard

This defines the requirements and principles for managing and improving biodiversity at the University. Download the Biodiversity Standard (PDF).

Campus Biodiversity Action Plan

This details specific actions to be taken to improve biodiversity on campus and progress towards these. Our Biodiversity Action Plan is currently under review and will be launched soon.

Construction

Sustainable Construction Procedure

This outlines our approach to managing construction projects. Download the Sustainable Construction Procedure (PDF).

Sustainable Construction Standard (large projects)

This details additional specific requirements for projects with a value greater than £2m. Download the Sustainable Construction Standard for large projects (PDF).

Please note that this document was initially intended to be replaced in 2020. This deadline has been extended, therefore this document is still current.

Sustainable Construction Standard (medium sized projects)

This details additional specific requirements for projects between £100k and £2m. Download the Sustainable Construction Standard for medium sized projects (PDF).

Construction and Maintenance Reuse, Recycling and Waste Procedure

This outlines how the University will manage waste from our construction projects. Download the Construction and Maintenance Reuse, Recycling and Waste Procedure (PDF).

Procurement

Sustainable Procurement  Standard

This outlines our approach to embedding sustainability within procurement. Download the Sustainable Procurement  Standard (PDF).

Sustainable procurement (contracted goods and services) procedure

This details processes to embed sustainability with procurement of contracted goods and services. Download the Sustainable procurement (contracted goods and services) procedure (PDF).

Energy Efficient Equipment Purchasing Procedure

This outlines the steps that must be taken when purchasing any new equipment as part of new build or refurbishment projects, in order to ensure that new equipment meets our energy efficiency requirements. Download the Energy Efficient Equipment Purchasing Procedure (PDF).

Vehicle Purchase Procedure

This outlines the steps that must be taken when the university purchases any motor vehicle, and helps to ensure that we fulfil our legal obligations in this area. Download the Vehicle Purchase Procedure (PDF).

Travel

Travel Plan

This outlines the university’s commitments to changing behaviour, operations and infrastructural developments towards more sustainable modes of travel, by staff, students and visitors to the university. Download the Travel Plan (PDF). From 2022, our approach to travel has been integrated into the Sustainable Travel principle of the University Climate Plan.

Vehicle Purchase Procedure

This outlines the steps that must be taken when the university purchases any motor vehicle, and helps to ensure that we fulfil our legal obligations in this area. Download the Vehicle Purchase Procedure (PDF).

Electric Vehicle Charging Point (EVCP) Fair Use Guidance

This outlines provisions for the fair use of and access to the University’s EVCP network. Download the EVCP Fair Use Policy (PDF).

Waste & Recycling

Reuse, Recycling and Waste  Standard

This explains the principles that must be adopted in order to manage the sustainability risks associated with resource use and the final disposal of resources by the University. It also sets out the requirements for managing waste & recycling at the University. Download the Reuse, Recycling & Waste Standard (PDF).

Storage and disposal of fluorescent lighting procedure

Download the Storage and disposal of fluorescent lighting procedure (PDF).

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment procedure

Download the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment procedure (PDF).

Construction and Maintenance Reuse, Recycling and Waste Procedure

Download the Construction and Maintenance Reuse, Recycling and Waste Procedure (PDF).

Reuse, Recycling and Waste Guide

This provides a guide to easily find out which route a particular material type should follow and how to achieve this. Read the Recycling Guide. 

Climate

Climate Plan

This maps out how the University will deliver key commitments in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, supporting a net zero city, delivering sustainable travel, enabling responsible investment, shaping institutional decision-making, and refocusing research and education. Read more on the Climate Plan. 

Carbon Management

The Delivering Net Zero principle of the University Climate Plan sets out how we will achieve our objectives of net zero emissions by 2030, and work towards no direct emissions by 2050. Read the Pathway to Net Zero.

Other areas

Community Noise Procedure

The purpose of this is to ensure that any noise generated by the University through our events is properly managed to minimise the impact on the local community. Download the Community Noise Procedure (PDF).

Emergency Preparedness and Response Procedure

This describes how the University will identify potential environmental emergencies, as well as the steps that would be taken if one was to occur. Download the Emergency Preparedness and Response Procedure (PDF).

Environmental Corrective & Preventive Action Procedure

This defines who has responsibility and authority for ensuring environmental observations, non-conformances or incidents are addressed and that appropriate corrective and preventive action is taken as needed. Download the Environmental Corrective & Preventive Action Procedure (PDF).

Oil delivery, storage and transfer guide

This provides information on managing the environmental risks associated with oil delivery, storage and transfer. Download the Oil delivery, storage and transfer guide (PDF).

Sustainable Food Standard

This defines the requirements and principles for managing and improving sustainable catering at the University. Download the Sustainable Food Standard (PDF).

Tree Removal and Replacement  Procedure

This outlines the procedure to be followed to minimise the environmental impacts of any tree removal that is necessary. Download the Tree removal and replacement procedure

Single-Use Plastics Management Standard

This standard sets out how we can avoid purchasing and using single-use plastics on campus.

Download the Single-Use Plastics Management Standard (PDF).