Strategy
Our Environmental Strategy Think Global: Act Local
supersedes the previous Environmental Strategy
that expired in 2014 and runs from 2014 to 2019.
Stakeholders from across the various business
functions have contributed knowledge and input to
the development of this Strategy, helping to make it
our most ambitious Strategy to date. We have taken
this input and have set objectives across a range of
areas where our operations affect the environment.
In addition, over the five year timeframe of this
Strategy we undertake to integrate environmental
considerations into strategic decision-making to
continue to foster and develop environmental
management.
The Environmental Strategy, Think Global: Act Local has three core areas:
Each of the core areas are subdivided, identifying the
issues affecting our business and setting out our key
objectives.
1. Being an Environmentally Responsible
Organisation
- Reducing Carbon
- Climate Change Resilience
- Developing Sustainable Infrastructure
- Sustainable Procurement
- Environmental Management
System - Raising Environmental Awareness
and Communication
2. Providing Leadership and Influence to Support
Low Carbon Growth and Reducing Public Transport’s Contribution to Carbon Emission
- Working with Strategic Partners,
Public Transport Operators and
other Stakeholders to reduce
public transport contribution to
carbon and harmful emissions
3. Reporting & Benchmarking
- Reporting and Benchmarking
We have established key objectives at three levels, ‘Gold’, ‘Silver’ or ‘Bronze’. This is to enable WMCA to take into account and be responsive to business needs, the economic climate, any societal factors and/or any technological advances that may impact on the delivery of the objectives at that current time whilst still making and demonstrating progress and our commitment.
Definition Of The Tiered Objectives
5 Year Strategy Objectives
Gold Level - WMCA is being innovative in the field of environmental management and performance, exemplifying ‘Best in Class’ and/or adopting the best available techniques to deliver ultimate carbon and environmental performance. Also at this level we are seeking the highest level of accreditations to demonstrate and promote environmental achievements and commitments. The economic, technological and/or business environment is conducive to delivering objectives.
Silver Level - WMCA is working towards becoming innovative and adopting best available techniques, without excessive costs. A financial and business case can be made to implement objectives, e.g. payback and significant carbon savings, so that environmental benefits over a defined period can be identified. Economic, technological and /or business constraints mean some restrictions to implementing gold level ambitions but alternative best practice options are adopted.
Bronze Level - WMCA commits to continuous improvement, maintaining current programmes and actions to reduce carbon, keeping existing accreditations and being an environmentally responsible organisation. We seek to implement new measures to improve environmental performance. No additional resources are required to deliver objectives, but there are no adverse effects on stakeholder expectations and performance. Resource constraints mean that the higher level ‘Silver’ and ‘Gold’ level objectives cannot be pursued or achieved.
Each section also identifies the programmes and a range of activities which when carried out will help us deliver the overall aims and objectives for that specific subject area.