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Internal Environmental Communication

EMS National Forum

29 November 2007

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Overview

• Opportunity to discuss and learn how others inform staff about their EMS

• Recognise the different methods of communication

• How different methods can be used to give a message

• Examples of Merseytravel’s communication methods

• How to measure communication effectiveness

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Merseytravel

Merseyside Passenger Transport Executive and Authority• A public-sector body• Responsible for co-ordinating public transport in

Merseyside• One of 7 such bodies in the UK

• Transport planning• New public transport infrastructure

Bus/rail stations

Bus stops/shelters• Local rail services, ferries and road

tunnels• Supporting non-commercial bus

services

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Environmental Background

• First Environmental Strategy in 1995

Environmental Sustainability Strategy

Published 3rd strategy in March 2006 – 5 year life• Monitor against policy commitments• Commitment to publishing an annual

Environmental Sustainability Report to report progress

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Environmental Management System

Communication• Important to gain staff involvement• Decided to communicate externally• External and Internal Marketing Strategy

Overview of Merseytravel’s EMS:

ISO 14001

Whole organisation certified in 2003

Three tiers – core EMS, implementing the strategy and wider issues

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Workshop

In your groups:

1. List what you might want to communicate internally.

2. List as many different methods of communication as possible.

3. Using your answers from 1 and 2, decide which methods are best suited to what you might want to communicate.

Feedback to all.

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What and how the Environment Team Communicates

HowVerbal: • Meetings eg EMS Group, section specific, audit

closing meetings• Presentations eg training, briefings, workshops,

toolbox talks• Auditing (on-site presence)

Written: • Electronic eg newsletters, emails, intranet, internet• Paper eg newsletters, reports, memos, handouts,

posters, wageslip messages, action plans

Other:• Events• Awards eg Merseylearn, Environmental Star• Competitions and challenges

What• What is an EMS?• Environmental Policy• Procedures • Non-conformance reports• Audit programme• Legislation • EMS Review• Frequently Asked

Questions• Objectives, initiatives and

targets

The blue text shows the variety of ways non-conformance reports have been promoted.

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Continued

What• External programmes• External awareness days

eg World Environment Day• General awareness raising• Staff involvement• Internal improvements• Best practice• Activities with the

community

HowVerbal: • Meetings eg EMS Group, section specific, audit

closing meetings• Presentations eg training, briefings, workshops,

toolbox talks• Auditing (on-site presence)

Written: • Electronic eg newsletters, emails, intranet, internet• Paper eg newsletters, reports, memos, handouts,

posters, wageslip messages, action plans

Other:• Events• Awards eg Merseylearn, Environmental Star• Competitions and challenges

We customise the method of communication is used to suit the audience.

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Workshop

4. Discuss the best and worst communication you have used (what works and what does not).

5. Each group to choose 2 examples (1 best and 1 worst).

Feedback to all.

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Examples

• GreenBriefs e-newsletter

• Environment In Your Pocket

• Environmental

Awareness Briefings

(workshops)

• Competitions

• Staff feedback

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Workshop

6. What would you like to communicate and what barriers are you facing?

Feedback to all.

7. How can you overcome the barriers?

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Evaluating Communication

Why evaluate?Is it working? Learn from your mistakes.

BS ISO 14063:2006 Environmental Management – Environmental Communication – Guidelines and examples

Examples given by the standard:• Number or rate of complaints about certain environmental aspects,

activities or issues• Number of award applications• Number of awards received• Rate of response to an environmental survey/questionnaire

How do you evaluate?

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Evaluating Communication

How Merseytravel evaluates

Questionnaire results (every 2 years)Question examples:

1. When purchasing a product (eg a computer), which of the following should you consider?

A. Disposal route and cost B. Energy and water use during operationC. Purchasing cost D. A, B and C

2. Which of the following should be used to clear oil and fuel spills?A. Water B. NothingC. Detergent D. Absorbent material

Internal and external audit results

How many people enter a competition

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Evaluating Communication

World Environment Day 2006World Environment Day 2007

2006 – Attendee feedback

2006 & 2007 – Stand holder feedback forms

2008 – Single theme, bigger and better

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Following Evaluation

Are we meeting our objectives?

If the answer is no, change the method of communication.

If it’s still not working,

is the promotion wrong, or is the product wrong?

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Future Initiatives

• Questionnaire• Focus groups• Pledge bank – maybe???• Staff challenges

“If you think you’re too small to make a difference, you’re obviously never been in bed with a mosquito”. Michelle Walker

Future key messages

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Thank you!

LINKS/POWER/EMSConf-Comms2007/GW/LS

07.11.07