Business opportunity to reduce environmental footprint

Date published: 03/10/2007

Groundwork  Oldham  amp; Rochdale is offering local businesses the opportunity to  reduce  their  environmental  footprint.   The  Environmental Awareness Course  is  a one-day programme, to be held on 18 October at Ace Training Solutions,  Shaw.  The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH)  regulates  this  accredited  course, and upon successful completion candidates will receive a certificate.

The  aim  of the course is to provide essential knowledge and understanding of  the  key  concepts  involved  in  environmental awareness as well as an appreciation  of  how individuals and businesses impact on the environment.  Delegates  will  be  made  aware  of  the  effects  of the workplace on the environment  and  how  they  might  take  corrective action to reduce these influences using environmental management systems and internal audits.

"Increasing  legislation  and  growing  public  awareness make it vital for businesses  to  take  advantage of the competitiveness and cost benefits of addressing  their  own  environmental  efficiency,"  explains  Kate Harcus, Environmental Business Advisor for Groundwork Oldham amp; Rochdale.

Ms Harcus  goes  on  to  say  that,  "According  to  an  independent  survey  by environmental  guidance website Netregs, half of all small and medium sized enterprises  (SMEs)  surveyed  are  still  unaware  of  how  their business practices  could  affect  the  environment.   In a year when SMEs have been fined  around  £2.4m  for  environmental damage, the need for businesses to address environmental issues has never been greater."

The  course is suitable for employees at all levels, empowering everyone in the  organisation to put good environmental practices in place.  It enables a concerted effort when tackling environmental efficiency.

It  is  an  excellent  means of demonstrating to customers, the public, and auditors  that  business  is  taking the environment seriously.  Businesses that   can  prove  environmental  commitment  attract  positive  publicity, stakeholder goodwill and favourable credit from financiers.

The course costs £115 (exc. VAT) for Business Environment Association (BEA) Members,  and  £175  (exc. VAT) for non-BEA members.  To book your place on the  CIEH  course  in  Environmental  Awareness,  or  if  you  need further information,  phone Julia Dickinson at Groundwork Oldham amp; Rochdale:

Email: julia.dickinson@groundwork.org.uk

Tel: 0161 624 1444