Ebae assessors - online briefing - 2016

1. FRSA Assessors Briefing
UK selection process for EBAE
2016

2. Why Environmental and Sustainable
Development Awards?
• Recognise outstanding environmental performance
• Enable spread of best practice
• Encourage further innovation for Sustainable Development
• “Awards are the embodiment of the carrot approach at a time
when we hear more about the sticks.”

3. RSA involvement in Environment
Awards
• Awards to industry for reducing smoke emissions 1770
• PATAS 1983-1986
• BEAFI 1987-1991
• REMA 1993-1994
• RSA Awards Forum 2001
– EnvironmentAwards.net
• RSA Accreditation 2003

4. Welcome
Matthew Taylor

5. Why RSA Environment Awards Forum?
• Formed because awards are
important and they are undermined
if they are perceived as weak illogical,
lacking in transparency or similarly
devalued by a critical public.
• Proliferation of UK Environment
Awards
• Encourage good practice and high
standards
• Promote the creation of new awards.
• http://www.rsaaccreditation.org/

6. Why Accreditation?
• Well run
• Transparent
• High standards
• Clear criteria
• Effective judging
• Continuous improvement
• Robust procedures

7. Why should an Award scheme become
accredited?
Accreditation provides:
• Organisers of environmental awards with a higher profile, allowing them
to attract a better quantity and quality of entrants.
• Businesses and other applicants to environmental award schemes
confidence that the award they are entering is high quality and
independently audited.
• The UK with consistently high quality entrants and winners of the
European Business Awards for the Environment, stimulating innovation
for sound environmental and sustainable development practice.

8. Accredited Awards
• Biffawards
• Edie Awards
• The Footprint Awards
• Green Apple Awards
• Green Business Awards
• Guardian Sustainable Business Awards
• International Green Awards
• Living Wetlands Awards
• Low CVP’s Low Carbon Champions Awards
• Northwest Business Environment Awards
• Rushlight Awards
• Sustainable City Awards
• Vibes Awards

9. Why the European Business Awards
for the Environment (EBAE)?
The Awards are a high profile event and participation in
the EBAE can benefit companies, through:
• Demonstrating commitment to improving
environmental performance
• Enhancing company image and promoting
achievements
• Exposure in the market place nationally and
internationally
• Recognition in Europe as an environmental champion
for the UK
• Exploiting the competitive advantage associated with
greener products, services and activities

10. RSA Accredited Awards are European
Feeder Schemes
• The Forum is tasked with selecting the UK entrants for EBAE from winners of
accredited award schemes, meaning that the companies that get through are the
cream of the crop in terms of UK environmental innovation.
• Winning an RSA Accredited scheme is the only way that UK companies can enter
the EBAE.
• The UK is an exemplar throughout Europe due to its success at the EBAE (it has
won 10 consecutive rounds with a double award win in 2012).

11. UK Success in Europe2014 Management The Bay Finalist
Product Vegware Finalist
2012 Product Aquamarine Power: Oyster Wave Energy Winner
Management. Marks and Spencer : Plan A Winner
Business and Biodiversity Cafédirect: Adaptations for Smallholders to Climate Change Finalist
2010 Management The Findus Group : Fish for Life: Supporting Sustainable Fisheries Winner
2008 Management The Co-operative Group : Approach to Sustainable Development Winner
2006 Product Award Windsave Ltd : Plug’n’Save wind turbine Winner
2004 Process Award RUGBY LTD : Cement making Winner
2002 Management Award B&Q, United Kingdom : B&Q and social responsibility Winner
2000 International Co-operation Award ENTEC UK Ltd : Support for Environmental Winner
1998 Management The NatWest Group : An environmentally friendly management programme Winner
Recovery of Waste Jesse Brough Metals Group : Recycling of aluminium furnace waste Winner
1996 Recovery of Waste Rank Xerox : A remanufacturing strategy for end-of-life photocopiers Winner
1994 Eco-Product Pilkington Glass : Pilkington 'K' Glass - an energy saving glass Winner
Environment Technology Transfer Wade Furniture Ltd : Promoting the reality of sustainable tropical timbers Highly Recommended
1992
1990
1989 Good Environmental Management Baxi Partnership : Reducing the impact of a new iron foundry Winner
Good Environmental Management British Gas : Reduction of environmental effects of an offshore gas station. Highly Commended
Appropriate Technology RJ Armstrong Evans : Low cost robust hydro-electric equipment Winner .
1988 Pollution Abatement Technology Farm Gas Limited, University of Ulster and Bethlehem Abbey: Anaerobic digester Highly Commended
Good Environmental Management Anglian Water: Conservation initiatives within the water industry Highly Commended
.

12. UK Success in Europe
“This is fantastic recognition for Fish for Life which places it amongst the very best environmental
initiatives in Europe. Being declared a winner underlines the point that Fish for Life is a
committed and multifaceted programme intended to support genuine improvement in fish
sustainability.”
Chris Britton, CEO of the Findus Group
“Marine energy has a massive role to play in helping Europe meets its challenging carbon
reduction targets. This award is a great honour for Aquamarine Power and we would like to thank
the European Commission, the Commissioner for the Environment and the judging panel for this
recognition.”
Martin McAdam, Chief Executive Officer of Aquamarine Power
“Since being named the winner of the Management category in the 2012 European Business
Awards for the Environment (EBAE), Marks and Spencer’s Plan A has continued to move from
strength to strength. Recognition at this level gives credit to our M&S customers, partners,
suppliers and employees for their support and demonstrates to them and our peers that Plan A is
the right thing to do.
The EBAE has presented us with the opportunity to push the business case for social and
environmental responsibility, develop new alliances and learn from others. M&S has a vision of
operating as a sustainable international multi-channel retail business and an award win at this
scale provides the encouragement that will help us get there.”
Adam Elman, Global Head of Plan A Delivery, Marks and Spencer

13. A Juror’s views on an entry to EBAE –
John Bowman
• These awards are primarily for innovation. Make sure your entry really is a
first in its field. The European Jury will check this using web search engines. Why
not do the same before you enter?
• The awards’ criteria for judging are quite clear and the jury observe them closely.
Make sure that your entry addresses each of the criteria directly and
succinctly. Extensive waffle and repetition does not go well with the jury.
• The 100 word summary of your entry is vitally important. The jury may
have 40 or 50 entries to read and assess. Therefore the jury will be impressed by a
clear and exciting synopsis. Make sure the summary encourages a juror to read on.
Click on speaker to hear John’s perspective

14. Continued…
• Succinct quantification of data in table, graphs and histograms is far more
effective than extensive qualitative description.
• Make sure your entry is self contained. Extensive reference to and inclusion of
annexes is not helpful to a juror. An entry is about information transfer and a juror
needs to be able to absorb the main elements of the entrant’s activity easily, but
at the same time to be impressed by professionalism and progress achieved and to
be achieved.
• These awards are for business and the commercial benefit of the entry needs
to be clearly shown. Activities that are still in prototype stages, or may have limited
and niche market appeal, are not favoured. If an entry has broad application across
many business fields make sure this is highlighted.

15. The Selection Process
Malcolm Aickin
Chair, RSA Environment Awards Forum
Click speaker to hear Dr Aickin’s commentary

16. EBAE 2016 Categories
The scheme consists of five awards, rewarding companies for management practices, products,
processes, international business cooperation and biodiversity activities that contribute to
economic and social development without detriment to the environment:
• MANAGEMENT AWARD
This Award is for an exceptional organisation or group of organisations with the strategic vision and
management systems that enable it to continuously improve its contribution to sustainable development.
• PRODUCT AND SERVICES AWARD
This Award is for the development and/or implementation of a new product or service that makes an
outstanding contribution to sustainable development.
• PROCESS AWARD
This Award is for the development and/or implementation of a new production solution that makes an
outstanding contribution to sustainable development.
• INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS COOPERATION AWARD
This Award is for an international business cooperation involving at least one private entity from the
European Union, and another from the private, public, non-governmental or academic sector in a developing
or emerging country.
• SUB CATEGORY*: BUSINESS AND BIODIVERSITY AWARD
The Award is for a successful demonstration in halting biodiversity loss and supporting natural ecosystems that
makes an outstanding contribution to global sustainable development.
* The winner of the Business and Biodiversity award will be selected from companies entering one of the four
main categories.

17. Selection Objectives
• Maximum of 12 Entries per member state
• Maximum of 4 Entries per category
• UK requirement: at least 1 SME per category
Definition of SME (EC Recommendation 1422(2003)):
 Employs fewer than 250 people
 Turnover less than 50 M €
 Net Balance Sheet Assets less than 43 M €
 Less than 25% owned by a larger company (or more than one
company) which does not itself qualify as an SME
Click to hear the Chairman of RSA Environment Awards
Forum, Dr Malcolm Aickin, overview

18. MANAGEMENT CRITERIA
• Strategic integration: Environmental , economic, social and ethical aspects of sustainability must be
fully integrated into mainstream business management with clear objectives and targets for
improving and reporting performance.
• Performance improvement: There must be continuous improvement in performance against the
organisation’s stated environmental and social objectives, as demonstrated by regular monitoring
and reporting.
• Transparency: organisations should report and provide publicly available information on their
environmental performance. This information should be available externally in the form of an
environmental report and internally through the active involvement of employees.
• Credibility: Credibility and reliability of the environmental management scheme must be assured by
external and independent environmental verifiers under the control of an EU Member State.
• Accountability: There must be regular and systematic dialogue with stakeholders with feedback of
the results into management decision-making.
• Employee involvement: Employees must be closely involved in all aspects of environmental
management, and should actively contribute to the implementation of the environmental
improvements.
• Replication potential: There must be clear potential for good practice and innovation to be shared
with other organisations (e.g. through involvement in business networks, dissemination at
conferences).

19. PRODUCT AND SERVICES CRITERIA
• Innovation: Substantial innovation in the product or service must bring improvements in
environmental performance over comparable alternatives, whilst at least maintaining functional
performance.
• Environmental benefit: Clear and quantified analysis must demonstrate increased resource efficiency
and reduced environmental impact over the complete life-cycle of the product or service (e.g. through
Life Cycle Analysis LCA).
• Social benefit: The product or service must meet the needs of consumers and bring wider social
benefits (e.g. by providing decent working conditions, safeguarding consumer health, improving
quality of life, etc.).
• Economic benefit: Proof must be given that the new product or service is economically viable (e.g.
through sales performance data or credible sales projections).
• Commitment: Senior management must be clearly committed to the development and marketing of
the product or service, and must show its importance with regard to the organisation’s overall
strategy.
• Replication potential: There must be clear potential for wider adoption of the innovative aspects of
the product or service, and a willingness to share this knowledge and expertise with other
organisations.

20. PROCESS CRITERIA
• Innovation: The process introduced must include specific innovative elements that enable more eco-
efficient production (e.g. by increasing resource efficiency, or reducing waste and emissions).
• Environmental benefit: The environmental benefits of the new process must be clear and quantified
(e.g. through use of eco-efficiency or resource efficiency indicators).
• Social benefit: Adoption of the new process must have either neutral or positive social impacts (e.g.
employment opportunities, working conditions, or effects on local communities).
• Economic benefit: Proof must be given that the new process is economically viable (e.g. with
reference to capital and operating costs).
• Commitment: Senior management must be clearly committed to adopting the new process, and
must show its importance in the context of the organisation’s overall operations.
• Replication potential: There must be clear potential for wider adoption of the innovative process,
and a willingness to share this knowledge and expertise with other organisations.

21. INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS
COOPERATION CRITERIA
• Sustainable development: The cooperation must be guided by a business relationship
and a clear statement of shared objectives demonstrating how it expects to contribute to
the economic, social and environmental progress in a developing or emerging country.
• Planning and resource allocation: The cooperation must be thoroughly planned and must
be allocated sufficient human and financial resources to enable it to work effectively
towards its objectives.
• Equity: The benefits must be evenly distributed among those involved, and the
cooperation must be managed in a way that is fair and transparent to all partners.
• Synergy: The business cooperation must result in efforts and cost avoidance.
• Replication potential: There must be potential for applying the innovative cooperation to
other situations and partners.

22. BUSINESS AND BIODIVERSITY
CRITERIA
• Is the ecosystem/habitat/species important? (E.g. is the action in a Natura 2000 area, or one covered by
the Habitat or the Birds Directive? Is it threatened? Is it indigenous?)
• How extensive is the impact? (E.g. what is the geographical area covered? What land types are affected?
What other types of land use can be found in the region? Are there negative side effects?)
• Does the action contribute to the protection and improvement of biodiversity in a broader context?
(E.g. is it a constituent of an ecological corridor? Does the action involve others in the company or
beyond? Does it develop and/or use green infrastructure and/or ecosystem-based approaches to climate
change adaptation and mitigation? Does it create benefits for species, water, soil, land-use, resource-use
(see "Environmental benefit" section on p.21 for examples)
• How sustainable is the protection of biodiversity? (e.g. Are staff appropriately trained? Is financing in
place to sustain the action? Is the awareness of other actors raised?)

23. Assessor FAQs
• How long will it take to assess each entry?
The length of time that it will take to assess each entry is dependant on experience. The estimated time
would be around 30 minutes per entry. Overall, each assessor should allow between 3 -5 hours of their
time for the EBAE assessment process.
• Does the role cover expenses?
The role of an EBAE assessor is not paid for and will not require you to travel. All of the scoring and
workshops are available online. You will be invited to the celebration ceremony of the 12 UK business
selected for Europe in late March – this will present an excellent networking opportunity.
• What is the time period of involvement?
The EBAE entry forms will be distributed to the assessors on the 14th November. You will have until the
29th November to complete and return your scores using the online system.
• Can I join the RSA Environment Awards Forum?
Assessors of the EBAE awards are encouraged to join the Forum. It offers an opportunity for interested
parties to make links, network, learn from one another, and subsequently work collaboratively in driving
forward the agenda and making best use of RSA resources. More information can be found by clicking
on the resources button above.
• What should I do if I have any further questions?
If you have any questions we recommend that you post them on the EBAE assessors message board
(available in the assessors board). The noticeboard will be constantly monitored across the course of
this week and will allow other assessors access to answers. Otherwise, you can always send your
questions via email to: rsa@imsplc.com

25. Disparity between Assessors
Commitment: : Senior management must be clearly committed to the development and marketing of the product or service, and
must show its importance with regard to the organisation’s overall strategy.
.
6 could do more with suppliers
10 Excellent commitment demonstrated at Executive middle-management and grass roots levels. Clear focus on training - and testing of
learning.
9 Demonstrable engagement at all levels from director to "grass-roots" in accordance with accredited schemes. Performance incentives and
morale boosts. Acceptance by staff. Regular update in place.
8 Employee engagement appears to be taking place from CEO through to farm operative level
6 The internal communication material provided seems somewhat patronising though the 'green champions' is a step in the right direction.
There is no evidence of a procedure for employees to actually feed proposals for adjustments to the business model upwards to management.
6 CSR absent from the documentation

26. How will my scores and comments
influence the final selection – A summary
It is important for all auditors to score as accurately as possible as the final
selection for the EBAE awards is not only dependant on the average score of the
entry but also the spread.
Providing detailed commentary underneath the scoring will provide the final
selection panel with a greater understanding of the spread of entries.
Difference of opinion between assessors is encouraged as it allows the final
selection panel to see the greater strengths and weaknesses of the entry.
Multiplicity of feeder schemes and assessors is a strength for the UK.

27. Scoring Criteria
Score
10 (high) Far exceeds the requirement in all respects
9 Exceeds the requirement in all respects
8 Exceeds the requirement in some respects
7 Meets the requirement in all respects
6 Meets the requirement in most respects
5 Meets the requirement in some respects
4 Does not meet the requirement in any respect
3 Falls well below the requirement in some respects
2 Falls well below the requirement in most respects
1 (low) Falls well below the requirement in all respects

29. • On the 15 February, all assessors will receive an email that contains a full list of the UK
entries together with the allocated assessors for each. Next to each entry will be a link to
an online folder that contains the entry form together with all annexes.
• Assessors should open the link next to their given entry to view all relevant
documentation.
• To score the entry, assessors must use the online scoring system available at this link:
http://rsaaccreditation.org/assessorszone
• Assessors must score one entry at a time and only score those entries that have been
allocated to them. All application assessments must be by Monday 7 March.
• Assessors must score one entry at a time and only score those entries that have been
allocated to them.
• The online scoring system will require each assessor to select the appropriate entry from
the list and to enter their name. The appropriate criteria (as given previously) will then
appear along with room for a comment and score. All comments and scores will then be
stored online for analysis and will be used to determine the UK finalists for Europe.
• Printing entries is not encouraged. Assessors may find it useful to snap the scoring sheet
and the entry to either side of the screen in order to view simultaneously:
Online assessors portal

30. Many thanks