ISO 14001 Implementation for The Royal Parks

Environmental management systems are not only relevant for big industrial facilities. The Royal Parks Agency, which manages some of the major London green spaces, such as Hyde and Richmond Parks, has proved that the benefits of EMS’s are available to a much more diverse range of organisations. Nick and Catherine Passingham of the consultancy Passingham Associates outline the Royal Parks’ route to ISO 14001 accreditation.


The Royal Parks consist of Bushy, Richmond, Greenwich, St James’s, Green, Hyde, Kensington Gardens and Regent’s Park. Managed by The Royal Parks, they represent a unique link between the built and natural environment providing an opportunity for recreation and education for millions of people who visit London every year.

Working under the guidance of Passingham Associates, The Royal Parks have implemented and been independently certified to the Environmental Management System ISO 14001. As an internationally accepted standard, ISO 14001 has provided The Royal Parks with a framework from which it has been able to develop an effective EMS. This has enabled The Royal Parks to control and manage Green Housekeeping initiatives and therefore show continual improvement of their environmental performance.

Applicable to all business sectors, ISO 14001 has a part to play in ensuring that the public and private sectors move forward in a sustainable manner. Within ISO 14001 this is achieved by evaluation of an organisation’s impact upon the environment and addressing significant areas. An organisation can then continually improve its environmental performance by setting realistic objectives and targets.

For The Royal Parks this has included:

  • Energy management: reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 1,150 tonnes pa.
  • Waste management: developing management strategies for the recycling of waste streams.
  • Transport: running Royal Parks’ and contractors’ vehicles on LPG and so reducing harmful emissions.
  • Procurement: contractors asked to adhere to strict procurement policies

The new EMS has therefore meant that The Royal Parks have made significant environmental improvements. Cost savings are also being realised as part of the ongoing Environmental Management process. However, at this early stage the main benefit has been the implementation of a management structure that enables the achievement of such projects.

The Royal Parks continually evaluate their objectives and management programmes and are now developing further projects for 2003 and beyond.

Passingham Associates are management system consultants specialising in the implementation of ISO 14001, ISO9001:2000, OHSAS18001 and their integration. They have successfully registered over 80 organisations to the above standards including government departments, waste to energy plants and many manufacturing and service organisations. Contact cathy@passingham-associates.com or nick@passingham-associates.com for more information.

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