Questions and Answers
Why should I have an audit?
The Eco Audit project is a good means by which to improve an organisation's environmental performance and consequently reduce running costs. It is free and confidential and takes a maximum of two hours to complete.
Who carries out the audit?
The audit is carried out by a 'lead auditor' and one or two volunteer auditor. The Eco Audit process works with a group of volunteer auditors who are professionals with specific backgrounds, and auditors are chosen depending on the site visited.
How many staff will be required?
The number of staff will depend upon the site's requirements. Though ideally the representative should be familiar with the day to day running of the site and workings of the building.
Do I need to prepare anything prior to the audit?
It is a good idea to have a quick read through the pre-audit checklist, which is sent out prior to the audit taking place.
What takes place during the audit?
The audit begins with a brief introduction to the Eco Audit and introduction to the site - this is a chance for the auditors to gain further information about the site. A short tour of the facilities at the site then takes place, followed by a discussion regarding the main issues of the site.
Is the any help available after the initial audit?
Within the original audit report a score is given with a corresponding future audit frequency. This indicates how often a site should consider a follow-up audit. On average sites usually have one a year, in which case they will be contacted one year after the initial audit to see whether they would like a follow-up audit or any further guidance.
The Eco Audit Co-ordinator is available for any queries following the audit.
Are there any recognised standards to work towards?
The Eco Audit programme is a good first step if an organisation is looking towards improving its environmental performance. For a business this might be the environmental management standards of BS8555, ISO14001 or EMAS. For a community organisation it might be a more detailed energy or waste audit.
The Eco Audit Co-ordinator can provide further information on these schemes.
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