Workforce Carbon Footprint How Can NHSScotland Staff
Help?
Introduction
• Green workplace key issue for trade unions
• Unions campaign internationally for a ‘Just Transition’
to a low-carbon economy
•
UNISON Scotland is part of the Stop Climate Chaos
Scotland coalition that campaigned successfully for
the strong Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009.
• Part 4 Public Sector Duties – build into all functions
SG/STUC Declaration 2009
• Government, the public sector, employers, trades
unions, civic society, communities and members of
the public all have important roles to play in delivering
the transition to sustainable economic growth and a
low-carbon Scotland.
•
The greening of the workplace has a central role to
play in delivering emissions cuts and promoting
environmental action throughout society. Worker
involvement is the key to culture change in the
workplace. Good practice developed in the workplace
will also have a positive influence in the home and
community.
Workers matter
• More than half of emissions are work related. We
must take action collectively to reduce these.
•
Workplaces produce ten times as much waste as we
do in our homes - huge potential for energy efficiency
savings.
•
Most public sector employers are cutting carbon
footprints, but are they properly involving staff to help
ensure that emissions reduction and adaptation
planning succeeds?
Green Workplaces – starting
TUC Greenworkplaces project showed there is
enthusiasm for joint activity with employers.
• Don’t re-invent the wheel. Learn from what others
have done and check out the resources in the
handout, particularly the TUC handbook Go Green
At Work
•
Look for ‘quick wins’, e.g. reducing energy use,
recycling paper and other materials, installing mains
fed water, using fair trade products.
Green Workplaces – short term
• Look for ways to measure progress, starting
with an audit of existing ‘footprint’.
• Hold awareness-raising days for staff.
• Encourage genuine involvement and good
communications to bring people on board.
Green Workplaces - Longer
• Negotiated Green Workplace Agreement.
• Work towards an accredited Environmental
or Carbon Management System.
• Consider longer term energy saving
measures involving initial investment e.g.
new systems, light sensors.
• Implement a negotiated Green Travel to
Work plan.
Points from 20Q checklist
Simple things to consider:
• Does heating/cooling system keep staff
comfortable without wasting energy?
• Proper insulation and draught-proofing?
• Automatic power reducing features/timers?
• Staff trained on eco-friendly use of
equipment?
Resources
• UNISON Scotland Green Workplace
www.unison-scotland.org.uk/greenworkplace
• STUC/Scottish Gov Communiqué on Climate Change 2009:
www.stuc.org.uk/news/643/stuc-and-scottish-government-issuejoint-communique-on-climate-change
•
TUC handbook Go Green at Work
www.tuc.org.uk/extras/gogreenatwork.pdf
•
TUC Changing Work/Changing Climate
www.tuc.org.uk/extras/adaptation.pdf
Contact
Dave Watson
Scottish Organiser
UNISON Scotland
d.watson@unison.co.uk
or
Fiona Montgomery
f.montgomery@unison.co.uk