RSA Awards Forum Accreditation EBAE

FRSA Assessors BriefingUK selection process for EBAE2016

Why Environmental and Sustainable Development Awards?Recognise outstanding environmental performanceEnable spread of best practiceEncourage further innovation for Sustainable DevelopmentAwards are the embodiment of the carrot approach at a time when we hear more about the sticks.

RSA involvement in Environment AwardsAwards to industry for reducing smoke emissions 1770PATAS 1983-1986BEAFI1987-1991REMA1993-1994RSA Awards Forum 2001EnvironmentAwards.net RSA Accreditation 2003

WelcomeMatthew Taylor

Why RSA Environment Awards Forum?Formed because awards are important and they are undermined if they are perceived as weak illogical, lacking in transparency or similarly devalued by a critical public. Proliferation of UK Environment AwardsEncourage good practice and high standardsPromote the creation of new awards.http://www.rsaaccreditation.org/

Why Accreditation?Well runTransparentHigh standardsClear criteriaEffective judgingContinuous improvementRobust procedures

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Why should an Award scheme become accredited?Accreditation provides:Organisers of environmental awards with a higher profile, allowing them to attract a better quantity and quality of entrants.

Businesses and other applicants to environmental award schemes confidence that the award they are entering is high quality and independently audited.

The UK with consistently high quality entrants and winners of the European Business Awards for the Environment, stimulating innovation for sound environmental and sustainable development practice.

Accredited AwardsBiffawardsEdie AwardsThe Footprint AwardsGreen Apple AwardsGreen Business AwardsGuardian Sustainable Business AwardsInternational Green AwardsLiving Wetlands AwardsLow CVPs Low Carbon Champions AwardsNorthwest Business Environment AwardsRushlight AwardsSustainable City AwardsVibes Awards

Why the European Business Awards for the Environment (EBAE)?The Awards are a high profile event and participation in the EBAE can benefit companies, through:Demonstrating commitment to improving environmental performanceEnhancing company image and promoting achievementsExposure in the market place nationally and internationallyRecognition in Europe as an environmental champion for the UKExploiting the competitive advantage associated with greener products, services and activities

RSA Accredited Awards are European Feeder SchemesThe Forum is tasked with selecting the UK entrants for EBAE from winners of accredited award schemes, meaning that the companies that get through are the cream of the crop in terms of UK environmental innovation.

Winning an RSA Accredited scheme is the only way that UK companies can enter the EBAE.

The UK is an exemplar throughout Europe due to its success at the EBAE (it has won 10 consecutive rounds with a double award win in 2012).

UK Success in Europe 2014Management The BayFinalist Product VegwareFinalist2012 Product Aquamarine Power: Oyster Wave EnergyWinner Management.Marks and Spencer : Plan AWinnerBusiness and Biodiversity Cafdirect: Adaptations for Smallholders to Climate ChangeFinalist2010 Management The Findus Group : Fish for Life: Supporting Sustainable Fisheries Winner 2008 Management The Co-operative Group : Approach to Sustainable Development Winner 2006 Product Award Windsave Ltd : PlugnSave wind turbine Winner 2004Process Award RUGBY LTD : Cement making Winner 2002 Management Award B&Q, United Kingdom : B&Q and social responsibility Winner 2000International Co-operation Award ENTEC UK Ltd : Support for Environmental Winner1998 Management The NatWest Group : An environmentally friendly management programme Winner Recovery of Waste Jesse Brough Metals Group : Recycling of aluminium furnace waste Winner 1996 Recovery of Waste Rank Xerox : A remanufacturing strategy for end-of-life photocopiers Winner 1994 Eco-Product Pilkington Glass : Pilkington 'K' Glass - an energy saving glass Winner Environment Technology Transfer Wade Furniture Ltd : Promoting the reality of sustainable tropical timbers Highly Recommended 1992 1990 1989 Good Environmental Management Baxi Partnership : Reducing the impact of a new iron foundry Winner Good Environmental Management British Gas : Reduction of environmental effects of an offshore gas station. Highly Commended Appropriate TechnologyRJ Armstrong Evans : Low cost robust hydro-electric equipmentWinner. 1988 Pollution Abatement Technology Farm Gas Limited, University of Ulster and Bethlehem Abbey: Anaerobic digester Highly Commended Good Environmental Management Anglian Water: Conservation initiatives within the water industryHighly Commended .

UK Success in Europe This is fantastic recognition for Fish for Life which places it amongst the very best environmental initiatives in Europe. Being declared a winner underlines the point that Fish for Life is a committed and multifaceted programme intended to support genuine improvement in fish sustainability. Chris Britton, CEO of the Findus Group

Marine energy has a massive role to play in helping Europe meets its challenging carbon reduction targets. This award is a great honour for Aquamarine Power and we would like to thank the European Commission, the Commissioner for the Environment and the judging panel for this recognition. Martin McAdam, Chief Executive Officer of Aquamarine Power

Since being named the winner of the Management category in the 2012 European Business Awards for the Environment (EBAE), Marks and Spencers Plan A has continued to move from strength to strength. Recognition at this level gives credit to our M&S customers, partners, suppliers and employees for their support and demonstrates to them and our peers that Plan A is the right thing to do.The EBAE has presented us with the opportunity to push the business case for social and environmental responsibility, develop new alliances and learn from others. M&S has a vision of operating as a sustainable international multi-channel retail business and an award win at this scale provides the encouragement that will help us get there. Adam Elman, Global Head of Plan A Delivery, Marks and Spencer

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A Jurors views on an entry to EBAE John BowmanThese awards are primarily for innovation. Make sure your entry really is a first in its field. The European Jury will check this using web search engines. Why not do the same before you enter?

The awards criteria for judging are quite clear and the jury observe them closely. Make sure that your entry addresses each of the criteria directly and succinctly. Extensive waffle and repetition does not go well with the jury.

The 100 word summary of your entry is vitally important. The jury may have 40 or 50 entries to read and assess. Therefore the jury will be impressed by a clear and exciting synopsis. Make sure the summary encourages a juror to read on.

Click on speaker to hear Johns perspective

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ContinuedSuccinct quantification of data in table, graphs and histograms is far more effective than extensive qualitative description.

Make sure your entry is self contained. Extensive reference to and inclusion of annexes is not helpful to a juror. An entry is about information transfer and a juror needs to be able to absorb the main elements of the entrants activity easily, but at the same time to be impressed by professionalism and progress achieved and to be achieved.

These awards are for business and the commercial benefit of the entry needs to be clearly shown. Activities that are still in prototype stages, or may have limited and niche market appeal, are not favoured. If an entry has broad application across many business fields make sure this is highlighted.

The Selection Process Malcolm AickinChair, RSA Environment Awards ForumClick speaker to hear Dr Aickins commentary

EBAE 2016 CategoriesThe scheme consists of five awards, rewarding companies for management practices, products, processes, international business cooperation and biodiversity activities that contribute to economic and social development without detriment to the environment:

MANAGEMENT AWARDThis Award is for an exceptional organisation or group of organisations with the strategic vision and management systems that enable it to continuously improve its contribution to sustainable development. PRODUCT AND SERVICES AWARDThis Award is for the development and/or implementation of a new product or service that makes an outstanding contribution to sustainable development. PROCESS AWARDThis Award is for the development and/or implementation of a new production solution that makes an outstanding contribution to sustainable development. INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS COOPERATION AWARDThis Award is for an international business cooperation involving at least one private entity from the European Union, and another from the private, public, non-governmental or academic sector in a developing or emerging country.SUB CATEGORY*: BUSINESS AND BIODIVERSITY AWARDThe Award is for a successful demonstration in halting biodiversity loss and supporting natural ecosystems that makes an outstanding contribution to global sustainable development.* The winner of the Business and Biodiversity award will be selected from companies entering one of the four main categories.

Selection ObjectivesMaximum of 12 Entries per member stateMaximum of 4 Entries per categoryUK requirement: at least 1 SME per categoryDefinition of SME (EC Recommendation 1422(2003)): Employs fewer than 250 peopleTurnover less than 50 M Net Balance Sheet Assets less than 43 M Less than 25% owned by a larger company (or more than one company) which does not itself qualify as an SME

Click to hear the Chairman of RSA Environment Awards Forum, Dr Malcolm Aickin, overview

MANAGEMENT CRITERIA

Strategic integration: Environmental , economic, social and ethical aspects of sustainability must be fully integrated into mainstream business management with clear objectives and targets for improving and reporting performance. Performance improvement: There must be continuous improvement in performance against the organisations stated environmental and social objectives, as demonstrated by regular monitoring and reporting. Transparency: organisations should report and provide publicly available information on their environmental performance. This information should be available externally in the form of an environmental report and internally through the active involvement of employees.Credibility: Credibility and reliability of the environmental management scheme must be assured by external and independent environmental verifiers under the control of an EU Member State. Accountability: There must be regular and systematic dialogue with stakeholders with feedback of the results into management decision-making. Employee involvement: Employees must be closely involved in all aspects of environmental management, and should actively contribute to the implementation of the environmental improvements. Replication potential: There must be clear potential for good practice and innovation to be shared with other organisations (e.g. through involvement in business networks, dissemination at conferences).

PRODUCT AND SERVICES CRITERIAInnovation: Substantial innovation in the product or service must bring improvements in environmental performance over comparable alternatives, whilst at least maintaining functional performance. Environmental benefit: Clear and quantified analysis must demonstrate increased resource efficiency and reduced environmental impact over the complete life-cycle of the product or service (e.g. through Life Cycle Analysis LCA). Social benefit: The product or service must meet the needs of consumers and bring wider social benefits (e.g. by providing decent working conditions, safeguarding consumer health, improving quality of life, etc.). Economic benefit: Proof must be given that the new product or service is economically viable (e.g. through sales performance data or credible sales projections). Commitment: Senior management must be clearly committed to the development and marketing of the product or service, and must show its importance with regard to the organisations overall strategy. Replication potential: There must be clear potential for wider adoption of the innovative aspects of the product or service, and a willingness to share this knowledge and expertise with other organisations.

PROCESS CRITERIAInnovation: The process introduced must include specific innovative elements that enable more eco-efficient production (e.g. by increasing resource efficiency, or reducing waste and emissions). Environmental benefit: The environmental benefits of the new process must be clear and quantified (e.g. through use of eco-efficiency or resource efficiency indicators). Social benefit: Adoption of the new process must have either neutral or positive social impacts (e.g. employment opportunities, working conditions, or effects on local communities). Economic benefit: Proof must be given that the new process is economically viable (e.g. with reference to capital and operating costs). Commitment: Senior management must be clearly committed to adopting the new process, and must show its importance in the context of the organisations overall operations. Replication potential: There must be clear potential for wider adoption of the innovative process, and a willingness to share this knowledge and expertise with other organisations.

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS COOPERATION CRITERIASustainable development: The cooperation must be guided by a business relationship and a clear statement of shared objectives demonstrating how it expects to contribute to the economic, social and environmental progress in a developing or emerging country.Planning and resource allocation: The cooperation must be thoroughly planned and must be allocated sufficient human and financial resources to enable it to work effectively towards its objectives. Equity: The benefits must be evenly distributed among those involved, and the cooperation must be managed in a way that is fair and transparent to all partners. Synergy: The business cooperation must result in efforts and cost avoidance.Replication potential: There must be potential for applying the innovative cooperation to other situations and partners.

BUSINESS AND BIODIVERSITY CRITERIAIs the ecosystem/habitat/species important? (E.g. is the action in a Natura 2000 area, or one covered by the Habitat or the Birds Directive? Is it threatened? Is it indigenous?)How extensive is the impact? (E.g. what is the geographical area covered? What land types are affected? What other types of land use can be found in the region? Are there negative side effects?)Does the action contribute to the protection and improvement of biodiversity in a broader context? (E.g. is it a constituent of an ecological corridor? Does the action involve others in the company or beyond? Does it develop and/or use green infrastructure and/or ecosystem-based approaches to climate change adaptation and mitigation? Does it create benefits for species, water, soil, land-use, resource-use (see "Environmental benefit" section on p.21 for examples)How sustainable is the protection of biodiversity? (e.g. Are staff appropriately trained? Is financing in place to sustain the action? Is the awareness of other actors raised?)

Assessor FAQsHow long will it take to assess each entry?The length of time that it will take to assess each entry is dependant on experience. The estimated time would be around 30 minutes per entry. Overall, each assessor should allow between 3 -5 hours of their time for the EBAE assessment process. Does the role cover expenses?The role of an EBAE assessor is not paid for and will not require you to travel. All of the scoring and workshops are available online. You will be invited to the celebration ceremony of the 12 UK business selected for Europe in late March this will present an excellent networking opportunity. What is the time period of involvement?The EBAE entry forms will be distributed to the assessors on the 14th November. You will have until the 29th November to complete and return your scores using the online system. Can I join the RSA Environment Awards Forum?Assessors of the EBAE awards are encouraged to join the Forum. It offers an opportunity for interested parties to make links, network, learn from one another, and subsequently work collaboratively in driving forward the agenda and making best use of RSA resources. More information can be found by clicking on the resources button above. What should I do if I have any further questions?If you have any questions we recommend that you post them on the EBAE assessors message board (available in the assessors board). The noticeboard will be constantly monitored across the course of this week and will allow other assessors access to answers. Otherwise, you can always send your questions via email to: rsa@imsplc.com

Disparity between AssessorsCommitment: : Senior management must be clearly committed to the development and marketing of the product or service, and must show its importance with regard to the organisations overall strategy. .

6could do more with suppliers10Excellent commitment demonstrated at Executive middle-management and grass roots levels. Clear focus on training - and testing of learning.9Demonstrable engagement at all levels from director to "grass-roots" in accordance with accredited schemes. Performance incentives and morale boosts. Acceptance by staff. Regular update in place.8Employee engagement appears to be taking place from CEO through to farm operative level6The internal communication material provided seems somewhat patronising though the 'green champions' is a step in the right direction. There is no evidence of a procedure for employees to actually feed proposals for adjustments to the business model upwards to management.6CSR absent from the documentation

How will my scores and comments influence the final selection A summaryIt is important for all auditors to score as accurately as possible as the final selection for the EBAE awards is not only dependant on the average score of the entry but also the spread.

Providing detailed commentary underneath the scoring will provide the final selection panel with a greater understanding of the spread of entries.

Difference of opinion between assessors is encouraged as it allows the final selection panel to see the greater strengths and weaknesses of the entry.

Multiplicity of feeder schemes and assessors is a strength for the UK.

Scoring CriteriaScore10 (high)Far exceeds the requirement in all respects9Exceeds the requirement in all respects8Exceeds the requirement in some respects7Meets the requirement in all respects6Meets the requirement in most respects5Meets the requirement in some respects4Does not meet the requirement in any respect3Falls well below the requirement in some respects2Falls well below the requirement in most respects1 (low)Falls well below the requirement in all respects

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On the 15 February, all assessors will receive an email that contains a full list of the UK entries together with the allocated assessors for each. Next to each entry will be a link to an online folder that contains the entry form together with all annexes. Assessors should open the link next to their given entry to view all relevant documentation. To score the entry, assessors must use the online scoring system available at this link: http://rsaaccreditation.org/assessorszone Assessors must score one entry at a time and only score those entries that have been allocated to them. All application assessments must be by Monday 7 March.Assessors must score one entry at a time and only score those entries that have been allocated to them. The online scoring system will require each assessor to select the appropriate entry from the list and to enter their name. The appropriate criteria (as given previously) will then appear along with room for a comment and score. All comments and scores will then be stored online for analysis and will be used to determine the UK finalists for Europe.Printing entries is not encouraged. Assessors may find it useful to snap the scoring sheet and the entry to either side of the screen in order to view simultaneously:

Online assessors portal

Many thanks

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