Sustainability Into Your Environmental Management System 2015 - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Incorporating Sustainability Into Your Environmental Management System 2015 Contractors Environmental Conference AGC of America Arlington, VA September 2-3, 2015 ENVIRONMENTAL | ENGINEERING | COMPLIANCE

Overview • Environmental Risks At Construction Sites? • Environmental Risks: Why Do We Care? • Root Causes Of Environmental Risks? • Traditional EHS Responsibilities • Expanding EHS Responsibilities • How to Incorporate Sustainability into EMS | Contractors Environmental Conference, AGC of America, September 2-3, 2015

Environmental Risks Site Demolition Endangered Species PCBs/Asbestos • Emissions Solid/Hazardous/ • Universal Waste • Air Emission • Spills Solid Waste Spills • Stormwater • Wetlands Contaminated Site Preparation Soil Wetlands • Dust Endangered Species • Spills • Stormwater Air Emissions • Contaminated Soil • Construction Stormwater • | Contractors Environmental Conference, AGC of America, September 2-3, 2015

| Contractors Environmental Conference, AGC of America, September 2-3, 2015

Typical Root Causes of Environmental Non-Compliance • Lack of awareness • Lack of planning • Lack of resources • Lack of communication • Turn-over | Contractors Environmental Conference, AGC of America, September 2-3, 2015

Traditional Environmental Responsibilities • Manage Risks: – Air and water pollution control – Waste Management and Recycling – Chemical handling /storage/use – Spill control and response remediation • Develop and Maintain EMS that: – Identifies and communicates Environmental Risk – Contains SOPs to Address Environmental Risk – Trains Personnel – Audits Program – Memorializes required action | Contractors Environmental Conference, AGC of America, September 2-3, 2015

How Do We Develop EMS? Identify Identify Covered Activity/ Fenceline Compliance Identify Requirements Impact Site clearing > 1 acre • Stormwater & Demolition/ • Habitat/Wetlands Permits/Notifications • Construction > $2M • Solid/Hazardous Regulatory/Local • /Universal Waste • Stormwater Operating Requirement • Dust/Air Emission • Air Management Plans • • Spills Inspections/ • Wastes • Noise • Recordkeeping • Endanger Reports • Species/Wetlands Conduct Develop Conduct Training SOPs Periodic • Field Audits • Roles & Responsibility • Project • Work Instruction • Executive • Record Retention | Contractors Environmental Conference, AGC of America, September 2-3, 2015

Types of EMS Paper Electronic | Contractors Environmental Conference, AGC of America, September 2-3, 2015

Expanding Environmental Responsibilities However, overtime EHS Manager roles have expanded to • include: – Sustainability data and reporting (Carbon and water footprint) – Supply chain/Product/Habitat stewardship – Legislative Requirements (GHG, Energy Conservation/Building Codes) – Community affairs/Stakeholder Engagement At the same time, Strategic Business Planning is evolving to: • – Ensure organization's context is considered (reduce/report environmental risks, opportunities and stakeholder expectations); – Effect of environmental conditions on the organization – Use of Performance Indicators – Incorporate sustainability into EMS | Contractors Environmental Conference, AGC of America, September 2-3, 2015

Resulting In Sustainability Being Incorporated Into EMS What is Sustainability • Many different definitions • Management structure to continue a defined behavior indefinitely | Contractors Environmental Conference, AGC of America, September 2-3, 2015

How to Integrate Sustainability Into EMS • Initial Thoughts – Beyond Compliance – Basics satisfied? o Regulatory compliance o Buy-in from Stakeholders – Start simple but need organization wide commitment – Use EMS as backbone – Effort needs to be internally driven -If necessary, consultant should serve as “facilitator”, not a leader – Periodic meetings for accountability, ability to “check and act” – Tracking System (Sustainable Development Indicators) – ISO 14000.2015 integrates and aligns environmental with the business strategies | Contractors Environmental Conference, AGC of America, September 2-3, 2015

How to Integrate Sustainability Into EMS • Successful sustainability programs share common foundation supported by three key pillars: – Executive buy-in from the start; – Creation of an effective sustainability committee; and – Clear and measurable sustainability goals. | Contractors Environmental Conference, AGC of America, September 2-3, 2015

How to Integrate Sustainability Into EMS • Top management must demonstrate leadership and commitment by: − Being accountable for effectiveness − Ensuring Sustainability Program is: o Aligned with organization’s Environmental and business policy and objectives o Integrated into businesses practices o Adequate resources are available o Communicated effectively | Contractors Environmental Conference, AGC of America, September 2-3, 2015

How to Integrate Sustainability Into EMS • Identify clear and measurable sustainability goals that you can control: ‒ Sector-wide perspective key areas include: o Construction waste o Sediment run-off o Habitat Impact o Carbon emissions from energy used in manufacture/transport of construction products and construction activities. Company perspective review EMS to identify priorities ‒ o Areas of violations o Local Environmental concerns o Corporate or government initiatives | Contractors Environmental Conference, AGC of America, September 2-3, 2015

How to Integrate Sustainability Into EMS Examples Solid waste – reduce, reuse, recycle – • Work with suppliers to take back and reuse packaging • Crush and reuse concrete, asphalt and aggregates Stormwater – • Minimize impacted areas • Use pervious pavement, reuse collected Stormwater Habitat Impacts – • Create habitat Air Emissions – • Use a portable plant to reduce trucks and travel distance • Alternative Fueled Vehicles • Use renewable energy sources Carbon neutral – • Purchase Carbon credits, Plant trees • Use renewable energy sources | Contractors Environmental Conference, AGC of America, September 2-3, 2015

How to Integrate Sustainability Into EMS Develop and implement clear policy that affirms commitment to: • − Continually integrate sustainability in safe, compliant and cost- effective manner − Support continual improvement in environmental management − Re-enforce commitment to resource conservation, energy management, affirmative procurement, and pollution prevention Incorporate into employee training • Develop and implement tracking tools • Report progress to stakeholders • | Contractors Environmental Conference, AGC of America, September 2-3, 2015

Industry Observations • Compliance is mandatory, it’s no longer “optional”, need to go beyond • Environmental concerns “at the table”? • Role is Evolving • Attitude and Awareness • Disconnect Between Design and Project Personnel • Staffing Challenges • EMS and Sustainability Acceptance • EMS and Sustainability Variability (complexity and medium) | Contractors Environmental Conference, AGC of America, September 2-3, 2015

THANK YOU. Thomas S. Seguljic, PE HRP Associates, Inc. 1 Fairchild Square Suite 110 Clifton Park, NY 12065 (518) 877-7101 x 104 tom.seguljic@hrpassociates.com | Contractors Environmental Conference, AGC of America, September 2-3, 2015