Memorandum from the Green
Minister, Department of Social Security
A. ROLE OF
THE GREEN
MINISTER WITHIN
DSS
1. Green Minister's specific responsibilities
and objectives with regard to:
(a) considering the environmental impacts
of DSS policies and programmes
Minister is to sign a current policy statement
based on the recently provided DETR model. This will formalise
"greening" plans including those for commuters, recently
laid before senior DSS officials and representatives from all
its constituent Executive Agencies and Non Departmental Public
Bodies. These plans were presented at a meeting earlier this week
addressed by the Minister.
(b) reviewing the DSS' management and operations
Arrangements are in hand for reports to be made
via the DSS Departmental Environment Officer covering all environmental
initiatives undertaken and detailing environmental policy appraisal
activity.
2. The arrangements within DSS for providing minister
with advice on the environmental impacts of departmental policies
and operations:
Key staff within policy divisions are being
charged with providing the necessary assurances that the environmental
impact of proposed policies and programmes is identified, quantified
and reported to minister. Advice on environmental appraisal in
these areas is available through the offices of the DSS Departmental
Environment Officer.
Resources dedicated to supporting the Minister
in his role:
There are currently three staff centrally who
are responsible for DSS Energy, Environmental and Transport issues.
These key staff, however, can and do call on advice and guidance
from DETR and through the network of Green Contacts in other government
departments.
3. Minister's specific responsibilities to report
on the DSS environmental performance, within the Department, within
Government as a whole, and to Parliament:
Minister discharges his responsibility to report
DSS performance as a member of the Green Minister's forum. He
also responds to questions asked in the House on Green matters
in addition to queries from the general electorate.
4. Consideration within the DSS to policies and
programmes in terms of the wider concept of sustainable development
and the balance between issues of economy, environment and social
equity:
Sustainable development is about achieving economic,
social and environmental objectives at the same time. Taking proper
account of the environmental impact of policies and programmes
is seen as an important and integral part of that process. The
Environmental Task Force, a key element within the "Welfare
to Work" programme, is strongly supported by DSS and is a
prime example of this approach.
B. ENVIRONMENTAL
STRATEGY
5. The Department's environmental strategy in
terms of addressing both policy and operational responsibilities,
including its availability to the public:
DSS does not currently publish its environmental
strategy. It is planned, however, to include appropriate references
to such a strategy in future published Departmental Annual Reports.
(a) those responsible for carrying forward
and implementing the DSS environmental strategy:
Corporate responsibility within DSS for carrying
forward and implementing the Department's environmental strategy
lies within the Estates section of the Benefits Agency. In the
past endorsement of the strategy, which was really a statement
of intent with regards to actively promoting "Green Housekeeping"
measures was provided by previous Green Ministers. The revised
policy and proposed framework for greening DSS, currently being
worked up, has strong ministerial support.
(b) the level of resources dedicated to implementing
the strategy:
In addition to the three DSS staff referred
to in reply to point 2 above, the environmental team will be able
to call upon professional expertise. This is held within the Private
Partnership Project organisation that is to provide DSS with fully
serviced accommodation from April of this year and is currently
six strong.
6. The extent to which the Department is bound
by or committed to actions due to international commitments, EC
or national law:
The business of DSS is such that its core activities
are deemed likely to have only a low impact on the environment.
However, in line with normal government procedures the DSS, in
obtaining services and accommodation, ensure that suppliers are
contractually obliged to adhere to the appropriate legislation.
7. Objectives and targets adopted by DSS:
Firm goals and targets are being developed.
DSS plan to have 20 Green Commuting plans in
place by the year 2000. A programme of energy efficiency measures
complemented by staff awareness and training is being drawn up
in co-operation with the DSS' serviced accommodation suppliers.
A 10 per cent reduction in fuel consumption by the turn of the
millennium is thought to be a realistic aim.
8. DSS targets for the minimising of solid waste:
Targets for the minimisation of all solid waste
will be set and reviewed under the terms of the contract with
our new serviced accommodation suppliers. Departmental targets
have not previously been a feasible option under the fragmented
system of accommodation facilities management that currently exists,
i.e., with in excess of 40 Accommodation Office Services being
separately administered across the DSS.
9. Awareness of the DSS environmental strategy,
targets and efforts to address the environmental impacts of policies
and programmes:
(b) amongst Agencies and NDPBs, and
A programme is currently being developed to
promote green issues throughout DSS. The process was given impetus
and direction by the recent "Greening of DSS" seminar
referred to in 1 a) above.
10. Stakeholders' views on DSS environmental strategy
and targets:
This is not relevant to DSS.
11. The practicalities of developing an environmental
management system for DSS housekeeping activities.
The new serviced accommodation suppliers will
be developing an environmental management system in conjunction
with the DSS Environmental Officer for their housekeeping activities.
Environmental Management Systems such as EMAS
and ISO 14001:
In line with other government departments with
large estates the cost of introducing a certified EMS has been
deemed to be prohibitive and indefensible in terms of value for
money. Individual buildings or sites may, however, be considered
in the future. Lessons learned could then be shared with the rest
of the DSS estate.
12. The frequency of reviews and reports on DSS
performance in relation to its environmental strategies, including
its availability to the public:
The intention is to review and report DSS environmental
performance on a six monthly cycle with outline information being
made available to the public via the DSS Annual Report.
13. DSS arrangements for the education and training
of staff in environmental issues:
Joint ventures with the serviced accommodation
suppliers, as stated at various points above, will provide ongoing
direction, instruction and support in this area.
Conferences, the use of in-house and staff magazines,
promotion of local initiatives, the production and wide distribution
of a departmental "Green Guide" coupled with electronic
mail shots to a DSS wide network of green contacts have all proved
successful in the past. Plans to develop and improve the profile
of green issues will form an integral part of the new proposed
DSS strategy.
C. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
14. A DSS commitment to sustainable development:
The programme proposed and developed elsewhere
in this reply will be reflected in the revised DSS aims and objectives
as outlined in future Comprehensive Spending Review submissions
to Treasury.
15. Sustainable development issues training:
The training to be delivered as part of the
energy awareness process will include modules on sustainable development
issues.
D. DSS' IMPACTS ON
THE ENVIRONMENT
16. There are no current departmental policies
or programmes which have a significant impact on the environment
or the furtherance of sustainable development.
17. Impacts on the environment beyond normal administrative
functions:
DSS staff, because of the nature of their business
have to undertake a number of visits to benefit claimants, national
insurance clients, other government officials and private sector
organisations by car. This has an effect on the environment. The
production of Green Commuting Plans has been given a high profile
within DSS—see 1a) and 7 above.
18-20
These sections are not of particular relevance
to this Department.
E. POLICY APPRAISAL
21. Incorporation of environmental appraisal within
the DSS appraisal of all its policies and programmes:
Where relevant it is intended to introduce a
greater use of policy appraisal options and in the process to
specifically include the consideration of likely environmental
impacts. To date no recent policy decisions have warranted such
an appraisal.
22. Undertaking, ensuring full compliance and
publicising environmental appraisal of policies and programmes:
A programme to achieve a full DSS commitment
to environmental appraisal is being developed.
23. Developing appraisal techniques encompassing
the need to strike a balance between economy, environment and
social equity.
A programme to achieve a full DSS commitment
to seeking comprehensive environmental appraisal techniques is
being developed. These will encompass sustainable development
issues.
24. Appraisal of environmental implications of
recommendations emanating from the last DSS Comprehensive Spending
Review:
Recommendations in the last CSR submitted to
Treasury by the DSS were deemed to have had no discernible effect
on the environment. Aims and objectives reflected in future CSR
submissions will reflect the rejuvenated commitment within DSS
towards the protecting the environment and sustainable development.
25. DSS achievements in greening its operations
since 1990:
DSS has been and continues to be represented
on inter-departmental groups that are currently exploring best
practice particularly in the areas of fluorescent tubes, recycling
and green transport.
The "Bag it and Bin it" and "Going
for Green" campaigns have been promoted via the network of
DSS Green Contacts.
This Department has in the past promoted policies
to sustain the environment by the following means:
(i) preparation and circulation of a Green
Housekeeping strategy;
(ii) issue of "The Green Guide"
and Environment News;
(iii) promulgation of guidance issued by
the Central Advice Unit of the Property Advisor to the Civil Estate
(PACE).
In addition, each Area Director, Disability
Benefit Centre (DBC) Manager, the DSS Agencies and DSS(HQ) nominated
a "green" contact to promote environmental issues within
their area, DBC and Agency.
In an effort to contribute towards the cross
government 15 per cent target and the need to maintain impetus
towards the 20 per cent target by 2000. DSS commissioned an energy
consultant and procured the services of a specialist "bureau
service" to provide guidance to all DSS Business Units.
A report in May 1997, from March Consultants
who also provided the bureau service, reiterated the comments
from the audit of BA/DSS energy performance by MCA Energy commissioned
by the then DoE. That report stated the DSS was making excellent
progress towards achieving continuing high standards of energy
management and performance.
The department is deemed to have achieved acceptable
performance when measured against DETR Energy Efficiency Office's
Performance Indicators for energy usage. DSS has only managed
a three per cent reduction in energy use over the first five years.
However during this period, and as a direct result of changes
in our business practices, there was a dramatic expansion of computer
usage resulting in a matching increase in our electricity consumption.
A study on the DSS use of paper and waste minimisation
was undertaken in the South West of England. The findings have
been issued throughout the Department and Managers were encouraged
to take up the recommendations. In addition, the study was publicised
in the staff magazine to encourage best practice.
A commitment to promote recycling was included
in the DSS Green Housekeeping Strategy. As part of the commitment
DSS produced "The Green Guide" which included guidance
on recycling of:
(v) photocopier/laser printer toner cartridges;
The Guide also contained advice on how to set
up a recycling scheme.
Promoting recycling can be hampered by the Treasury
rules on receipts from recycling activities. Any monies obtained
from recycling items originally provided from the PES budget e.g.,
paper, laser toners, are to be returned to Treasury funds. Recycling
is a voluntary, non-core, activity, staff would see no cost incentive
in running a scheme that could be perceived as benefiting the
Treasury.
DETR have advised that Treasury are reluctant
to complicate their running cost regime by treating the receipts
from recycling differently to other receipts. However, they would
be willing to consider a proposal if DETR provide a paper on how
the new scheme might work and a rough estimate of sums involved.
DETR are of the opinion that ENV(O) may wish to discuss whether
the proposal is worth pursuing and, if so, how best to proceed.
The Department manages a fleet of over 4,000
vehicles and is currently trailing a fuel-line catalyst. Early
results are very encouraging indicating a considerable reduction
in noxious gas and particulate emissions together with a 5 per
cent improvement in fuel consumption. This further reduces the
already low levels of pollution caused by the departmental business
fleet whose cars undergo emissions test controls at every service.
As a contribution to the Government's commitment
on Global Warming CO2 emissions are minimised by the
operation of a mainly diesel fleet. All vehicles carry a copy
of the Green Car Programme which promotes best practice under
the slogan—"Environmental Sense is Common Sense".
26. Specification for goods and services provided
for DSS:
Suppliers of goods and services are required
to quote their green credentials in their replies following invitations
to tender.
27. The DSS contribution to Government-wide energy
efficiency target of 15 per cent:
DSS had only managed a 3 per cent reduction
in energy use over the five years. However during this period,
and as a direct result of changes in our business practices, there
was a dramatic expansion of computer usage resulting in a matching
increase in our electricity consumption.
G. DEPARTMENTAL AGENCIES,
NDPBS AND
OTHER SPONSORED
BODIES.
28. Environmental Strategies throughout DSS:
As stated at point 2 the Minister is to sign
a current policy statement based on the recently provided DETR
model. This will formalise "greening" plans including
those for commuters, recently laid before senior DSS officials
and representatives from all its constituent Executive Agencies
and Non Departmental Public Bodies. These plans were presented
at a meeting earlier this week addressed by the Minister.
29. Environmental Appraisal by DSS Executive Agencies
and NDPBs:
All DSS Executive Agencies and NDPBs will be
expected to adhere to the Departmental strategy which will include
the requirement to provide the necessary assurances that the environmental
impact of proposed policies and programmes is identified, quantified
and reported, via the DSS Departmental Environment Officer, to
the Minister.
30. Reports on environmental impacts and performances
of DSS Executive Agencies and NDPBs:
Arrangements are in hand for reports to be made
via the DSS Departmental Environment Officer covering all environmental
initiatives undertaken and detailing environmental policy appraisal
activity.
31. Environmental conditions for granting of awards
by DSS:
The DSS, as part of it core business, does not
award the sort of grants covered in this point. There are, however,
DSS Grant-in-Aid funded bodies and their green credentials will
be considered in the future. We will ensure that the divisions
responsible for arranging funding of these outside bodies are
aware that their DSS "greening responsibilities" go
beyond their own staff and activities and that the green credentials
of the "aided".
February 1998
| 
