Environmental Management And Sustainability Strategies For Woolworths Supermarkets

Identification of Key Environmental Impacts for Woolworths Supermarkets

• Organizational structure

The chosen company for the given assignment is the Woolworths Supermarkets. Woolworth’s supermarket is an Australian business dealing in consumer goods. The given company has hundreds of stores in Australia. The company was found in 1924 and has annual revenue of 4,213 AUD as per 2016. The company has captured 80% of the Australian Market. The company offers a wide range of products like fruits, vegetables, whole grain products, household goods and personal care products. The company has 1000 stores in Australia and an employee size of 111000.

The company makes use of a wide range of resources which ranges from land, transportation system, electricity and the stock it sells.

Woolworths has a well defined sustainable policy because they harness the resources sea products for sea food and makes use of other replenish-able resources which it needs to account for.

Name and briefly describe the environmental or sustainability legislation, regulations or codes of practice that are applicable to the organisation. Give URL references to the relevant Acts, regulations or codes of practice.

• Environmental Protection Act 1997.
• Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997.
• Environmental Assessment Act 1982.
• Environmental Protection Act 1994
• Environment Protection Act 1993.
• Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act 1994[ Environmental Legislation Licences And Permits (2018) Business.gov.au https://www.business.gov.au/info/run/environmental-management/environmental-legislation-licences-and-permits

The given legislations and codes of practice are applicable to Woolworths. These legislations ay down certain laws related to businesses conducting their business in Australia and make use of resources like sea products, tea products from farms, crops and other related items.

KE 1, 2, 4 Explain the processes used to develop an EMS policy and procedures.

For the EMS Policies to be developed the company needs to see to it that all aspects of the policy has been followed and that the company continuously updates its policy system in order to ensure that it updates its policy with time.

For this purpose, an EMS Department can be formed, which can look out for all legal obligations.

The employees in an organization can be provided with accurate details as to how the procedure has to be carried out and how are they trained to deal with it.

Later on an individual policy document can be formed so as to keep a record of it:

*Subject / Topic

* Purpose of the policy

* Specific Policy to be stated with explained scope and dates.

* Applicable references

* Reviewed cycle and date

* Designate responsible individual/group for maintenance and updating of the policy

KE 1, 2, 4 Outline three typical barriers to implementing EMS policy in an organisation.

For each barrier, describe a possible strategy to address them.

Sustainability Policies and Regulations Applicable to Woolworths Supermarkets

The barriers to implementing an EMS policy are as follows :

Employee Resistant- Very often the employees have a different psychology and they may not be willing to accept the changes that might take place in an organization due to implementation of the sustainable policies. For this reason, it may become increasingly difficult for the organizations to see to it that all conduct practices stated down in the policy plan is carried out effectively.

To overcome the given problem, the employees need to be motivated adequately and they need to be provided with appropriate training in order to ensure that they are one with the organizational goals.

Lack of resources- Sustainable and environmental practices very often involve use of advanced technology and resources in order to implement the policy outline. Many organizations who have not being doing well tend to get into trouble while implementation because they are unable to cope up with the costs.

This barrier can be overcome if the government provides certain resources to the company or help them financially to overcome the constraints.

Lack of planning- If there exists proper planning to implement the EMS policy then the firm will not be able to process the operation successfully. Therefore, it is suggested that for this reason, the firm indulges in proper planning and makes the sustainable motive achievable.

KE 1, 2, 4 The international standard ISO 14001 relates directly to environmental management and sustainability. Research and describe what ISO 14001 is and what its purpose is. Give URL references to the sources of the information.  

ISO 14000 is defined as a set of standards which is related to the aspect of environmental management and sustainability which helps the business organizations to

It also helps the firm to comply by laws and other environmental related requirements. It also helps the firm to continually improve in the stated aspects. These standards are a part of the EMAS

KE 1, 2, 4 Name and describe the seven implementation and operation steps of the international environmental standard, ISO 14001, according to the information provided in your learner manual.

The steps are as follows:

1.Obtaining management support and identifying legal requirements

2.Defining the scope of EMS

3.Defining EMS procedures and systems

4.Implementation

5.Imparting Training and awareness

6.Choosing the certification body and operating EMS

7.Performing internal audits and management review.

Office-based organisations can access an environmental management tool (EMS) developed by a department of the Australian government. Refer to this site and describe [1] who developed the tool and [2] the intended benefit of its use by organisations.

Developing an EMS Policy for Woolworths Supermarkets

The given tools on environmental management system in order to help the organizations to manage their talents have been developed by Department of Environment and Energy.

The main purpose of the given legislation is to assist the businesses by helping them to reduce the cost and time associated with implementing the EMS system and helping them to establish a well developed system to manage the environmental impacts which result from their daily operations.

Task 2

2 a. Environmental policy of the Woolworths Group

Woolworths Group

Environmental Policy

The Woolworth group is ranked to be one of the major Australian organizations as per the revenue structure of the organization. The organization functioning under the retail sector of the nation and thereby it has grown in the years through its dedication to work and the sustainable approach in the markets. The major aspects that are being highlighted as a part of this section is based on the understanding of the environmental friendly policies undertaken by the organization for bringing n the change.

The environmental friendly approach of the organization applies to all the operations that are being undertaken by the organization for bringing in sustenance in the markets. On the other hand, the major consideration of the company to comply to the sustainability measures that are being undertaken by the management of the organization is based on the objectives of the organization to maximize its limits to attain the eco-friendly approach. The department aims at undertaking the change in the structure and the functioning of the organization in order to bring in the change in the systems of the organization in the market. The actions taken by the departments are required to be emphasized to:

The sources that helped me in understanding the present situation of the organization and thereby formulate the policies are being enumerated in this section of the analysis:

• The company’s website where their environmental management policies are being described in brief[ Woolworthsgroup.com.au, Our Planet – Woolworths Group (2018) Woolworthsgroup.com.au <https://www.woolworthsgroup.com.au/page/community-and-responsibility/group-responsibility/responsibile-sourcing>]
• Undertaking a brief research on the applicability of the policies that are being formed by the organization in their organizational culture[ Woolworthsgroup.com.au (2018) Woolworthsgroup.com.au <https://www.woolworthsgroup.com.au/icms_docs/189425_corporate-responsibility-report-2017.pdf>]
• The analysis of the pros and the cons of every policy that is being formed by the organization for bringing in the change in the structure and the functioning of the business in the market[ Environmental-mainstreaming.org (2018) Environmental-mainstreaming.org <https://www.environmental-mainstreaming.org/documents/EM%20Profile%20No%205%20-%20EMS%20(6%20Oct%2009).pdf>]

Responsibility Matrix, Training Needs Analysis and Training Plan

Role / Position Title/Position no. Name Responsibilities Qualifications/ competency Training needs Planned dates Training details Remarks

Director

Jack Pauline ·Participation in management

• Setting Policy goals and functioning
• Monitoring over the progress  
• Resource allocation for the process Senior Business Administrator EMS awareness 20.02.18 EMS      Helps in the formulation of the policies

Environmental Manager (Management representative)

Jane Cassandra   ·Participate in Management functioning

• Implementing and monitoring over the functioning of the environmental policy
• Formulating programs for the implementation process
• Overall responsibility for system implementation Certificate of Attainment in Environmental Management Systems (ISO 14001)   Refresher EMS training (External)   March – April TBD      Proper functioning of the strategy

Internal Auditor

Smith Robinson ·Undertaking internal audit program in cooperation with Facility manager

• Conducting internal audits
• Training the internal auditors Certified (RABQSA) lead auditor EMS Awareness (in house)

Auditing Course 19.01.18

March – April EMS-5      auditing functions helps in understanding he different aspects of the change in the organization

Waste Management Coordinator

Lloyd Davis ·Development of the waste management strategy of the organization

• Monitoring over the processes Factory Manager Waste minimisation / management principles March – April TBD      enables proper understanding of the waste management processes

Overcoming Barriers to Implementing an EMS Policy in Woolworths Supermarkets

EMS committee members

1. Lloyd

1. Sullivan

Danish Browne

1. Hedgethro ·Creating Awareness on Policy & EMS

• Implementing program for achieving the goal
• Proper monitoring over the processes
• Training respective staff in implementing the waste management strategy EMS administration EMS Awareness (in house) 20.02.18 EMS      understanding the goal of the organization for bringing in the change

Facility Manager

Newington ·Facilities management; training of new staff; monitoring over the environmental performance of the factory Factory Management EMS Awareness (in house) 20.02.18 EMS-5      proper functioning of the operations in the factories

Procurement Manager

1. Mason ·Purchasing raw materials that fulfil with internal environmental requirements Procurement Management EMS Awareness (in house) 20.02.18 EMS-5   helps in supporting the processes of the change that is being undertaken by the organization

Harley Richard ·Participate in management review, setting policy, reviewing objectives  & targets, approving allocation of resources for operation Project & operations management EMS Awareness (in house) 20.02.18 EMS-5      enables steps for the smooth functioning of the operations in the market

Staff ·Awareness on Policy & EMS N/A EMS Awareness (in house) 20.02.18 EMS-5 Proper implementation of the policies as per the goals of the organization

Objectives and target of the organization, Woolworths   

Register of Environmental Objectives and Targets

Aspect no. Aspect description Objective Target & date Action plan, improvement program or control Key Performance Indicator (KPI)

1 Use of electricity for office lighting Reduce annual electricity consumption for lighting 10% reduction by 30/6/2009 Department of Woolworths Energy Savings Plan Lower demand of energy sources

2 Use of electricity for air-conditioning Reduce annual electricity consumption for air-conditioning 10% reduction by 30/6/2009 Department of Woolworths Energy Savings Plan Lower expenditure on the non-renewable resources of energy

3 Use of electricity for computer & other office equipment Reduce annual electricity consumption for air-conditioning 10% reduction by 30/6/2009 Department of Woolworths Energy Savings Plan Utilization of renewable sources

4 Consumption of paper Reduce annual paper & printing purchases by 5% 5% reduction by 30/6/2009 Department of Woolworths Paper Saving Plan Depreciation of the same per kg

5 Packaging Reduce solid waste 25% reduction by 30/6/2008 Department of Woolworths Plan for Reducing Environmental Impact of Waste % packing material wasted

PC 4.1 – The “Register of Nonconformity and Suggestions for Improvement form” is used by the organization to detect the issues related to the management of environment that have not been resolved. The category of the issue is mentioned in the form. The outcomes of the measures that have been taken are documented in the form. The management of the organization are key personnel who can provide their opinion based on the resolving of issues. The EMS of Woolworths is operated based on the various options that have been provided in the form. The category of the issue, the person by whom the issue was raised, the date on which the duty was assigned to the personnel and closing date of the issue are all mentioned in the form. The remarks are provided by the personnel associated with the issue and the stakeholders of Woolworths. The success or failures of the policy are detected based on the closing date of the issue. The records are also kept based on the responses that are provided by the personnel in the form. The EMS policy of Woolworths can be altered based on the answers that are provided in the form. The operating procedures of Woolworths also need to be altered based on the responses in this form.

Understanding ISO 14001 Standards for Environmental Management

PC 4.2 – The “Corrective and Preventive Action Form” is related to the corrective actions that are taken after the occurrence of a specific incident. The form helps in detecting that whether the incident had taken place due to the negligence or fault of the management. The outcomes and the type of incident is documented in the report. The form can be used by management personnel and the stakeholders of Woolworths for the purpose of assessing the environmental incidents that have taken place. The success or the failure of the immediate action that was taken after the incident is analysed with the help of this form. The records of the environmental incident can be kept with the help if this form. The types of incidents that can occur in these situations is analysed by the responses in this form. The changes that need to be made in the EMS policy of Woolworths is decided with the help of this form.

PC 4.3 – The “Internal Audit Checklist” is used by the management of Woolworths for the purpose of analysing their environmental policies with respect to the environmental aspects that affect the operations of the organization. The managers and the stakeholders of the company use this form for analysing the roles and responsibilities of the various employees who are assigned in the different positions in the organization. The various steps that are taken by Woolworths for the environment protection related functions are documented in the form. The results that have been obtained by the implementation of the policies are also analysed in the form. The policy changes are also decided based on the results of this form.

PC 4.4 – The “Internal Audit Report Template” form is used for the purpose of documenting the results that have been obtained after performing internal audit related functions. The scope of the EMS, environmental policies are checked by the company officials and the stakeholders. The success or effects of the policies are analysed with the help of the results that are documented in the form. The records of the audit can be maintained with the help of the form. The policies related to environment in Woolworths are analysed with the help of the results that are detected in the form.

The “Management Review of Environmental Management System” form is used by the managers of Woolworths for the purpose of providing their reviews regarding the implementation of the various EMS related policies. The stakeholders of the company can analyze the extent up to which the environmental performance of Woolworths has been successful. The results of the internal audits are documented in this form. This form analyzes the records of the various incidents related to environment. The policies of the company, which are related to the management of the environmental effects of the operations, are analyzed and reported with the help of this form. The operating procedures of the company are also changed based on the outcomes that have been documented in the form. The management of Woolworths can further take a decision regarding the implementation of new policies in the company. This will enable the company in improving operations and reducing the number of environmental incidents that occur and have adverse effects on the environment.

References

Environmental Legislation Licences And Permits (2018) Business.gov.au https://www.business.gov.au/info/run/environmental-management/environmental-legislation-licences-and-permits

ISO 14001: Checklist Of The Implementation & Certification Steps (2018) 14001Academy https://advisera.com/14001academy/knowledgebase/list-of-iso-14001-implementation-steps/

Woolworthsgroup.com.au, Our Planet – Woolworths Group (2018) Woolworthsgroup.com.au <https://www.woolworthsgroup.com.au/page/community-and-responsibility/group-responsibility/responsibile-sourcing>

Woolworthsgroup.com.au (2018) Woolworthsgroup.com.au <https://www.woolworthsgroup.com.au/icms_docs/189425_corporate-responsibility-report-2017.pdf>

Environmental-mainstreaming.org (2018) Environmental-mainstreaming.org <https://www.environmental-mainstreaming.org/documents/EM%20Profile%20No%205%20-%20EMS%20(6%20Oct%2009).pdf>