Top recognition for environmental efforts

16 October 2016

UCLan becomes one of the first UK universities to achieve international standard

The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) has become one of the first universities in the country to get top recognition for its environmental efforts.

UCLan has received the ISO14001:2015 international accreditation for its Environmental Management System (EMS) after a rigorous five-day external audit.

The certification recognises the University’s efforts across its entire estate in improving environmental performance in a comprehensive, systematic and planned manner.

Paul Morris, Director of Facilities Management, said: “Certification to ISO14001 has provided both the framework and the focus to manage and continually improve the sustainability of campus activities, products and services.

"The LRQA auditor complimented us on how environmental sustainability has become more and more embedded into everyday practices and processes. This is a great reward, not only for the team involved, but for all the staff and students who embed sustainability in their day to day activities.”

"Certification to ISO14001 has provided both the framework and the focus to manage and continually improve the sustainability of campus activities, products and services."

LRQA’s UK&I Area Operations Manager David Derrick said: “This is an exceptional achievement and the University of Central Lancashire has to be commended on their determination, motivation and focus to be an early adopter of the standard. ISO 14001:2015 has enhanced their environmental management system and they now have an approach tailored to meet their external and internal environmental responsibilities and their business objectives.”

A range of staff from across all areas of the institution were interviewed during the assessment.

The University’s EMS was first certified to ISO14001:2004 in 2010, with re-certification being achieved in 2013. The new, more challenging standard ISO14001:2015 involved a redevelopment of the system to meet the new requirements, meaning it now takes more account of the external and internal context in which the University operates to ensure management of the greatest environmental risks and opportunities.