Sustainability
Introduction
Sustainability is all about improving quality of life for everyone-both now and for generations to come. It involves recognising the relations between social, environmental and economic issues and considering the impacts our decisions and actions possibly will have in the long-term future. Sustainability is a relatively simple concept, but can be very difficult to put into practice. It relies on acknowledgement of our actions and re-actions, the consequences and the human resolve to put right.
Purpose
To highlight to our employees & clients what DB Systems intends to do. DB Systems has set out 2 key in-house objectives to start with. In late 2008 DB Systems saw the start of this program, in how sustainability and setting ‘Green objectives’ will help develop and give something back to the environment.
Within the event industry, many key organisers, venues and service providers are now embarked on planning and managing sustainable events. BS8901 provides the guidance and the means to implement actions to becoming more sustainable. DB Systems is now on the BS8901 path.
DB System Objectives:
Carbon Usage and Waste Management
In 2009 DB Systems will be establishing a plan for reduction in CO2 emissions from our operational travel. Also we will be seeking to reduce any unnecessary energy usage. Finally, we are aiming to move to 100% recycling of all internal company waste.
How this will be achieved:
- Senior Management and staff ‘buy in’
- Monitor and manage CO2, energy
- Record, reduce & re-cycle all internal waste using available services
| Transportation Efficiencies (Energy Scope 1) | |
|---|---|
| Measurement of miles, record fuel used in DB Systems vehicles | DB Vehicle Mileage recorded monthly and CO2 calculated. |
| Air Travel – offset CO2 where possible | When booking flights, air miles calculated for CO2 offset |
| Vehicle pooling & sharing | Way s to reduce vehicle & transport usage |
| Energy Consumption: Gas & Electric (Energy Scope 2) | |
| Quarterly measurement of energy levels | Looking at ways to reduce unnecessary energy lost |
| Recycling All Waste Products (Energy Scope 2) | |
| Kitchen area – plastic, glass, tin, food | Internal promotion to use re-cycling bins |
| Office – waste paper | Think before printing policy |
| Workshop – cardboard, waste paper, un-usable IT equipment | Waste management control |
Summary of Key Points
- Sustainability is becoming more fabricated within the Event Industry in the form of BS8091 with organisers & venues now implementing sustainability as policy
- DB Systems has started to put into practice sustainability action points starting internally with promoting staff awareness & procedures
- Carbon Usage (C02) and Waste Management are the key areas being reviewed
- Measurement for CO2 areas over the next 12months will give DB Systems data to plot against in 2010
- Waste Management will be meet be with 100% efficiency by the end of 2009
- Long term objective is to become BS8091 compliant
