Sustainable Development Action Plan 2007 - 2008
- Introduction
- Forward
- Our Vision
- Our Activities
- Our Estate
- Sustainable Development Principles and Priorities
- Our Targets
- Links
- Annex A - Our targets with timescales
- Annex B -
The UK government Sustainable Development (SD) Strategy (March 2005) requires all central government departments and their executive agencies to produce sustainable development action plans. The DfT and its agencies have now produced individual action plans which set out our commitments and strategy for implementing sustainable development. These plans build upon the DfT's previous plan published in December 2005. All of the DfT's action plans will be available online. A progress report on the 2005 DfT Action Plan is also available.at the Sustainable Development Commision's website.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OPERATIONS POLICY STATEMENT
In my role as Chief Executive I am accountable for ensuring that the MCA endorses and adheres to the UK Government Sustainable Development Strategy. This Policy Statement applies throughout the Agency and I draw this to the attention of all staff. It reflects the importance that we all must place on balancing the needs of the economy, the environment and society.
We are all committed to reducing, on a cost-effective basis, the environmental impact of our operations and will conduct our own activities and operations to reflect best environmental practice.
We will also identify and reduce the sustainable risk associated with the goods and services we buy. Our procurement activity will reflect best sustainability practice and we will implement a program of measures designed to improve our sustainable procurement capability and identify and address areas of high risk and impact.
In particular, we will:
- Comply with all relevant sustainability legislation, regulation and other requirements;
- Review our activities and operations to identify sustainability aspects and risks and prioritise action to address the impacts of these;
- Monitor, review, and report against performance and progress against Government targets (see MCA's Sustainable Development Action Plan);
- Raise awareness of sustainable operations amongst our employees through specific training, performance information, and publication of this policy; Implement environmental management systems to pursue sustainability, continual improvement and the prevention of pollution. We will keep these systems under review to assess their robustness and ensure their continuing fitness for purpose;
Peter Cardy
Chief
Executive
14
June 2007
What is the Maritime & Coastguard Agency’s (MCA) Role?
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) works within the Department for Transport on the development and implementation of the Government's maritime safety strategies. Operationally, we provide a 24-hour maritime search and rescue service, check the safety of ships and work to prevent pollution of our coasts, or take action to minimise any pollution that does occur. We also manage the registration and quality of ships on the United Kingdom Shipping Register, and provide services for seafarers. Also, one of our outcomes is to enhance the safety record of the Red Ensign Group Fleet.
Safer Lives, Safer Ships, Cleaner Seas.
We are putting continued effort into prevention work and a measure of our success is when accidents do not happen, or where we intervene to minimise their impact.
Our Coastguard Rescue Co-ordination Centres operate around the clock and use the latest communications technology to respond to any incidents on the coast or at sea. We hear of incidents via the 999 service, over maritime radio, or through the automated distress alerting equipment used by ships, some of which uses satellite technology. We can draw on a full range of rescue resources, including our own helicopters and those of the RN and RAF, RNLI lifeboats, and our voluntary Coastguard Rescue Teams. In a pollution incident, we have our own emergency tugs, strategically placed along the UK coast.
We manage the UK Shipping Register and our technical surveying staff undertake regular, detailed surveys of UK ships. We also inspect foreign registered ships visiting UK ports and we can detain unsafe ships.
The Agency’s major business activities are:
- Search and Rescue
- Ship Safety and Pollution Prevention
- Seafarers Standards
- Counter Pollution
- Survey and Certification of Ships
- Inspection of ships and Enforcement of International Maritime Conventions
- Registration of Ships and Seafarers
Background
The Agency’s estate comprises of some 512 sites, divided between its Headquarters, three Regions, Training Centre and four search and rescue (SAR) Helicopter sites.
Estate Composition and size
The overall Area of the estate amounts to 1,074,905m2, including an airfield of 1,033,327m2. The Agency’s Headquarters is located in central Southampton within a modern leased office block, which at 6,226m2 represents the largest building within the portfolio. The three Regional Offices are located at Aberdeen, Beverley and Swansea, with a Training Centre at Highcliffe, Dorset. It should be stressed that the majority of the estate is required to support HM Coastguard who co-ordinate search and Rescue (SAR) through its network of 19 Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centres (MRCCs), plus 64 Sector Bases CG Rescue Stations. We currently have one hundred and nineteen remote radio sites located throughout the UK.
We have a number of Grade II listed buildings within our estate and a number of buildings located within areas of conservation and outstanding natural beauty. The MCA works in conjunction with the relevant authorities and organisations to ensure minimum environmental impact at these sites.
Some other unusual properties within the portfolio are converted farm buildings, several “prefabricated” wooden structures as well as an increasing number of business / industrial units. Overall the two words that best define the MCA estate are ‘unique’ and ‘idiosyncratic’ and this presents the MCA with a unique challenge in regard to recording and monitoring performance against the government targets. The MCA is working hard at a regional level to overcome these challenges.
Sustainable Development Principles and Priorities
The five principles of Sustainable Development are given below:
What Does Sustainable Development Mean to MCA?
The diagram above clearly demonstrates how all of the elements of Sustainable Development link together.
Set out below are the contributions that the MCA make to the overall principles and priorities of Sustainable Development.
Living within Environmental Limits
The MCA is committed to continuous improvement and measurement of its environmental performance. Our Sustainable Development Action Plan provides the framework against which we will measure our performance and manage our activities. Our aims are to limit the effects of our activities and services on the environment to a practicable minimum in accordance with our stated commitment.
Ensuring a Strong Healthy & Just Society
The MCA contributes to a Strong, Healthy and Just Society through its equal opportunities policy and through its work internationally, nationally and within local communities.
Our Staff
The MCA is an Equal Opportunities Employer. All staff are entitled to receive fair and equal treatment in all areas of their working life, irrespective of race, ethnic or national origin, age, religion or belief, sex, gender identity, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, working pattern, employment status, caring responsibility or trade union membership.
Visitors, Contractors and Customers
This policy also applies to our treatment of the people we work with, visitors to our offices, contractors undertaking works and the people who rely on our services. We also have a commitment to ensure that the policies which affect our customers are free from any discriminatory factors.
Sustainable Communities
As an island nation, 97% by weight of the UK’s trade is by sea, and there can be no doubt that shipping is vital to the UK economy. Our fishermen and fishing communities also rely on the sea for their livelihood, and many of us use beaches and the coast for leisure and sport. We have 10,500 miles of outstandingly beautiful coastline.
The Agency is responsible throughout the UK for implementing the Government’s maritime safety policy. That includes co-ordinating search and rescue at sea through Her Majesty’s Coastguard, and checking that ships meet UK and international safety rules. We work to prevent the loss of lives at the coast and at sea, to ensure that ships are safe, and to prevent coastal pollution Safer Lives, Safer Ships, Cleaner Seas.
Emergency Planning and Response
The MCA is a ‘Category 1 Responder’ under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004.
The Act, which updated the UK’s emergency planning arrangements, identifies two groups of ‘Responders’; Category 1 and Category 2. Category 1 Responders such as the emergency services, local authorities and certain health agencies have a number of emergency planning duties under the Act. Category 2 Responders such as utility and transport companies have the simpler duty of cooperating with Category 1 colleagues.
As the MCA is not identified in primary legislation, the Act formally places Category 1 Responder duties on “the Secretary of State, in so far as his functions include responding to maritime and coastal emergencies (excluding the investigation of accidents)”. In practice these duties are devolved to the emergency response branches of the MCA.
The duties placed on the MCA by the Act are to:
- assess the risk of emergencies occurring
- maintain plans to respond to emergencies
- plan for continuity of normal business during an emergency
- arrange to make information available to the public about civil protection matters and maintain arrangements to warn, inform and advise the public in the event of an emergency
- share information with other responders; and
- co-operate with other responders.
The MCA works with the other Responders at the local, regional and national levels to fulfil these duties.
HM Coastguard
The Government of the United Kingdom assumes responsibility for civilian Search and Rescue (SAR) within the UK and its aviation and maritime Search and Rescue Regions. The maritime responsibility arises from the UK Government's acceptance of the Convention of the High Seas 1958, of the International Conventions of Safety of Life at Sea 1960 and 1974, and of the International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue 1979 (as amended). The lead Government Department for UKSAR is the Department for Transport (DfT), which delegates the authority for responding to maritime incidents to HM Coastguard by the authority of the Coastguard Act 1925.
HM Coastguard is an on-call emergency organisation responsible for the initiation and co-ordination of all civilian maritime SAR within the UK Maritime Search and Rescue Region. This includes the mobilisation, organisation and tasking of adequate resources to respond to persons either in distress at sea, or to persons at risk of injury or death on the cliffs or shoreline of the United Kingdom.
The 19 Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centres (MRCCs) around the UK Coast form a network of command and control centres for responding to reports of maritime and coastal distress. MRCC watch-keeping staff provide a 24 hour service to mariners and coast users in receiving incoming distress calls, alerting the appropriate rescue assets, and co-ordinating the rescue effort.
Our Work in the Community
The MCA is committed to investing resources in accident and incident prevention and working to promote safety messages to children is an important aspect of accident prevention. Children can be involved in maritime accidents and ultimately they will be the adults of the future, so introducing awareness of dangers at the coast and what to do in an emergency is an important part of their education.
Schools want and need sea and coastal safety resources to deliver important parts of the curriculum but often struggle to obtain good resources and information. The MCA are working towards providing an integrated resource programme for schools and to raising profile in the education sector so teachers know that they can obtain materials from the MCA.
To communicate the message to children and educators, the MCA use the following methods and resources:
- SEASMART CAMPAIGN – targeting sea safety to children and parents through PR and media. This includes initiatives such as wrist bands for missing children at the beach.
- MAYDAY PACK FOR 9 – 11 YEAR OLDS – educational pack for use in class room.
- THEATRE WORKSHOPS WITH TEENAGERS – targeting sea safety messages to teenagers in secondary schools.
- HIGHLIGHTING INCIDENTS INVOLVING CHILDREN TO MEDIA – PR supply media with details of newsworthy SAR incidents, highlighting incidents with children.
- CRUCIAL CREW SUPPORT MATERIALS – support materials are available to Coastguards attending these types of events.
- LIFESKILLS CENTRES – the MCA are actively supporting major life skills initiatives such as the Kent Life Skills Centre in terms of set up and elsewhere in terms of materials and Coastguard resources.
- APPROPRIATE PR MATERIALS – the MCA produce a range of seaside safety and boat safety materials which can be used in schools or out of school (e.g. bands for the beach etc).
Economy
Environmental Quality
The MCA is actively involved in the development, implementation and enforcement of maritime environmental policy. One of the major responsibilities of the Agency’s Environmental Quality Branch is the development of UK legislation, policy and guidance relating to the marine environment. Additionally the Branch is involved in the production of EU and international initiatives and their transposition into UK law. The overall aim of this work is to promote clean and safe seas through environmentally sustainable shipping.
Currently the MCA are working on a number of issues related to environmental protection, the major topics being addressed are:
- Ballast Water
- Oil Tagging
- Port Waste Reception Facilities
- Sewage
- Prevention of Oil Pollution
- Marine Litter
- Ship Recycling
- Air Pollution
The MCA is monitoring, recording and where possible reducing its impact on the natural environment.
Taking into account the five principles of Sustainable Development together with the government targets for Sustainable Development on the Government Estate published in 2006 our specific targets have been identified and published within Annex A.
We will continue to monitor and record our progress on all of the set targets. We will record our progress quarterly to our executive board and additionally produce an annual report of progress on Sustainable Development.
In addition we shall work with our staff, partners and customers to identify where the Agency can further contribute to the following four objectives:
- Social progress which recognises the needs of everyone
- Effective Protection of the Environment
- Prudent use of natural resources
- Maintenance of high and stable levels of economic growth and employment and considering the long term implications of our decisions.
Energy Management
Energy consumption is monitored on behalf of the Agency by use of a Framework Agreement. Energy Audits have been undertaken at larger properties, with recommendations being implemented where cost effective.
The Agency has explored installation of solar panel heating within buildings as well as the use of wind powered electricity stations at its remote radio sites. The Agency has been actively implementing energy saving initiatives throughout its estate, and will continue to seek to identify new methods and initiatives that can further reduce our energy consumption.
By way of an Office of Government Commerce (OGC) Framework Agreement, the Agency is also committed to procuring "Green Electricity" for use at these larger sites, which negates the requirement to pay the Climate Levy Charge. This investment is already producing cost savings on energy consumption and the agency will continue to procure its energy through this method.
Waste and Recycling
As part of our Sustainable Development Action Plan we will closely monitor and record all waste streams throughout our estate and wherever possible identify, introduce and promote initiatives to increase both reuse and recycling in line with the government targets.
Travel
We will continue to monitor and record both administrative and operational mileage and where possible reduce administrative mileage through the promotion of our video conferencing network and by limiting the choice of rental cars to more carbon friendly models.
On staff travel we have undertaken a full site survey of our head office with a view to introducing a site travel plan at the head office and at all other major sites.
Environmental Management Systems (EMS)
The Agency’s Sustainable Development Manager is currently developing an Environmental Management System. Once complete this will be introduced throughout the estate.
Social
The Agency will continue to work closely with local communities to promote maritime safety and raise awareness through schools and educational establishments. The agency will also continue to promote maritime safety to the wider community through the seventh series of Seaside Rescue, a television documentary which covers the work of the Coastguard and raises public awareness about maritime incidents and safety.
Economic
The Agency will continue to support a Sustainable Economy through its contribution to the production of EU and international initiatives and their transposition into UK law and by continuing to promote clean and safe seas through environmentally sustainable shipping.
- Sustainable Development Commission - The UK Government’s independent watchdog on sustainable development
- Sustainable Development Website- This website is provided by Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and clearly sets out the Government targets for its Estate.
- DEFRA – Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs.
- Environment Agency - The leading public organisation for protecting and improving the environment in England and Wales
- Carbon Trust- The Carbon Trust, a Government-funded independent company, helps businesses and the public sector to cut carbon emissions
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ACTION PLAN FOR THE MARITIME AND COASTGUARD AGENCY - 1st April 2007-31st March 2008
Our Vision is to be a world-class organisation that is committed to preventing loss of life, continuously improving maritime safety and protecting the marine environment
Safer Lives, Safer Ships, Cleaner Seas
Priority
Areas
Climate Change and Energy
Sustainable
Consumption & Production
Natural Resource Protection
GOVERNMENT
TO MANDATE
Departments to adopt
The Carbon Trust’s
Carbon
Management Programme
The application of BRE’s Environmental Assessment
Method
OGC’s Property Benchmarking Scheme
All
Departments to have Environmental Management Systems
Priority
Area
Climate Change and Energy
UK
Government Sustainable Development Strategy
Carbon
Emissions from Offices
• Reverse the current upward trend in carbon emissions by
April 2007
• Reduce carbon emissions by 12.5% by 2010/11 relative to 1999/2000 levels
• Reduce carbon emissions by 30% by 2020, relative to 1999/2000 levels
Energy
Efficiency
• Departments to increase energy efficiency per m2 by 15% by 2010 relative
to 1999/2000 levels
• Departments to increase energy efficiency per m2 by 30% by 2010/11
relative to 1999/2000 levels
MCA Proposed Actions
•
Office accommodation to be heated to a maximum of 21C
Timescales: 04/07-03/08
Reporting
Periods: Progress reports to Estates quarterly. Outcome in end of year report
Lead
by: Responsible person for site
• Ensure hot water heated
to H&S
requirements only
Timescales: 04/07-03/08
Lead
by: Responsible person for site
• Introduce
quarterly utility readings at all sites to assist in the development of baseline consumption figures
and benchmark property performance
Timescales: 04/07-03/08
Lead
by: Responsible person for site & Estates
• Research
feasibility
of automatic meter
reading equipment at major sites
Timescales:04/07-08/07
Reporting
Periods: Feasibility report to be produced at end of timescale
Lead
by: SD Mgr & Estates
• Consider the purchase of renewable
electricity
at smaller sites when contracts are renewed
Timescales: 04/07-03/08
Reporting
Periods: End of year report
Lead by: SD Mgr & Estates
•
Undertake a “switch it off” campaign
throughout the estate, with high level management support
Timescales:
04/07-03/08
Reporting Periods: End of year report
Lead
by: Estates, Region
• Introduce as a policy
the use of time switches on shared office machinery throughout the estate
Timescales:
04/07-03/08
Lead by: Estates, Region
UK
Government Sustainable Development Strategy
Carbon
Emissions from Road Vehicles
• Reduce carbon emissions from road vehicles used
for Government administrative operations by 15% by 2010/11 relative to 2005/6 levels
Operational
Vehicles
• Including Helicopters and Marine Craft
Carbon
Neutral
• Central Government estate to be carbon neutral by 2012
MCA
Proposed Actions
• Training and active promotion
in the use
of web cams and Video Conferencing
Timescales: 04/07-03/08
Reporting
Periods: End of year report
Lead by:
Estates, Region
• Promote bus use by introducing discounts
for season tickets
with local bus companies.
Timescales: 04/07-03/08
Reporting
Periods: Ad hoc reports from local bus operators on take up
Lead
by:
Estates, HR
• Travel Plans to be developed and implemented
at major sites
Timescales:
04/07-09/07 development implement by 01/08
Reporting Periods:
Plans published, end of year report
Lead by:
SD Mgr, Regional Mgrs
• Introduce mains drinking water to
reduce bottle deliveries
where feasible.
Timescales: 07/07-12/07
Reporting
Periods: Report Jan 08 for take up
Lead by:
SD Mgr, Regional Mgrs
• Promote MCA Vehicle Policy
Timescales:
04/07-03/08
Reporting Periods: Quarterly mileage returns
Lead
by:
TSD – Coastal Resources
• Establish baseline figures for
CO2 emissions from
transport used for admin purposes
Timescales: 04/07-09/07
Reporting
Periods: Quarterly mileage returns
Lead by:
Estates
• Restrict hire of vehicles to 1.6 litre capacity
or less. (People
carriers and mini buses excluded if there is a business need)
Timescales:
04/07-03/08
Reporting Periods: Quarterly returns from hire
company
Lead by:
Estates & Coastal Resources
• Review Travel and Subsistence
system to
benefit staff using low CO2 rating vehicles.
Timescales: 04/07-03/08
Reporting Periods: Report with recommendations to Executive Board
Lead by:
SD Mgr, Finance, HR and Trade Union Side
• Feasibility Study
to assess joining
“WhizGo” car scheme in Southampton
Timescales: 09/07-03/08
Reporting Periods: Report to be submitted with findings
Lead
by:
SD Mgr
• Implement EMS system at major sites
Timescales:
04/07-03/08
Reporting Periods: Quarterly updates on progress
included in Monthly Report to EB
Lead by:
SD Mgr
• Good environmental standards to be used during
continual modernisation
of sites across the estate
Timescales: 04/07-03/08
Lead
by:
Estates
• The Agency to investigate putting in place local
targets/exchange
policy for the reduction of all operational mileage
Timescales: Ongoing
Reporting Periods: To be investigated and best practice identified.
Lead
by:
SD Mgr/Regional Business Mgr
[Back to annex Index]
[Back
to Main Index]
Priority
Area
Sustainable
Consumption & Production
Waste Arisings
•
Departments to reduce their waste arisings by 5% by 2010, relative to 2004/2005 levels
•
Departments to reduce their waste arisings by 25% by 2120, relative to 2004/2005 levels
UK
Government Sustainable Development Strategy
•
Develop an education
programme for staff in the MCA for special, hazardous and electrical waste disposal requirements
Timescales:
07/07-03/08
Reporting Periods: End of year report
Lead
by:
SD Mgr, HRD, Regional Mgrs
• Analysed waste arising returns
to be submitted
by all Regions, HQ and Highcliffe to benchmark property performance
Timescales:
07/07-03/08
Reporting Periods: Quarterly returns
Lead
by:
Estates, Regional Mgrs
• Use of double sided copying for
both photocopiers
and printers as default “Think before you print campaign”
Timescales:
04/07-03/08
Reporting Periods: End of year report
Lead
by:
TSD
Recycling
• Departments
to increase their recycling figures to 40% of their waste arisings by 2010
• Departments
to increase their recycling figures to 75% of their waste arisings by 2020
•
Actively lobby OGC Buying Solutions to negotiate frame work agreements for recycling.
Timescales:
11/07
Reporting Periods: Business Case to OGC
Lead
by:
SD Mgr
• Mandatory recycling returns for all sites on the MCA Estate
Timescales:
07/07-03/08
Reporting Periods: Quarterly returns
Lead
by:
SD Mgr, Estates, Regional Mgrs
[Back to annex Index]
[Back
to Main Index]
Priority
Area
Natural Resource Protection
Biodiversity
• Departments to meet or exceed the aim of having 95%
of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI’s) in sole ownership or control in target condition by
2010
• Develop and maintain records of sites where SSSI impacts on adjacent
MCA properties and land
Timescales: 12/07-03/08
Reporting
Periods: Attach to e-PIMS
Lead by:
Estates
Water
• Reduce
water consumption
by 25% on the office and non-office estate by 2020, relative to 2004/2005 levels
• Reduce
water consumption to an average of 3m3 per person/year for all new office builds or major office refurbishments
• Establish baseline figures for water consumption across the MCA
•
Implement use of water meters wherever possible throughout the estate
Timescales:
04/07-03/08
Reporting Periods: Quarterly monitoring
Lead
by:
Estates (in conjunction with TEAM)
[Back to annex Index]
[Back
to Main Index]
Government
to Mandate
Departments to adopt The Carbon Trust’s Carbon Management
Programme
– involves the proactive management to the risks and opportunities relating to climate change mitigation.
MCA
Proposed Actions
MCA to sign up to Carbon Trust’s Energy Efficiency
Programme
Timescales: 04/07-03/08
Reporting
Periods: End of year report
Lead by:
SD Mgr, Estates, Regional Mgrs
[Back to annex Index]
[Back
to Main Index]
Government
to Mandate
The application of BRE’s Environmental Assessment Method
(BREEAM) excellent
standards, or equivalent, to all new builds and major refurbishments
MCA
Proposed Actions
BREEAM’s to be part of specification on new build
and when refurbishment
over £200K. (MCA is unlikely to achieve “excellent/very good” due to assessment emphasis on transport
links and the remote location of properties, and the nature of the buildings that are refurbished)
Timescales:
Ongoing
Reporting
Periods: End of year report and after each new build or refurbishment over £200K
[Back
to annex Index]
[Back
to Main Index]
Government
to Mandate
OGC’s Property Benchmarking Scheme – aimed at improving
the efficiency
and effectiveness of corporate estate management
MCA
Proposed Actions
Input data into e-PIMS to enable OGC easy access to
information
Timescales: 06/07-09/07
Reporting
Periods: Estates
Lead by:
Deputy Estates Mgr
[Back to annex Index]
[Back
to Main Index]
Government
to Mandate
All Departments to have Environmental Management Systems
based, or modelled
upon, a recognised system
Timescales: 04/07-03/08
Reporting
Periods: End of year report
Lead by:
SD Mgr, Estates, Regional Mgrs