Environment Policy
Environmental Policy 2012
The Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) is mandated to provide modern transport infrastructure that is highly accessible and offers an attractive alternative to travel by private car. The objective of achieving a modal shift from private to public transport is central to Irish Government policy on sustainable development and environmental protection. RPA’s processes in planning, designing and providing transport infrastructure are consistent with and contribute to the Government’s broader policies of sustainable development. In particular, RPA seek to balance economic feasibility of individual projects with wider social and environmental responsibility.
Our commitment to the implementation of best environmental practice extends to our day-to-day management of the Agency’s activities. With this in mind, RPA, Veolia and Alstom developed the Dublin Light Rail Sustainability Plan 2011–2015, which set ambitious targets for reducing the environmental impact of our operations. Implementation of that Sustainability Plan will continue in 2012.
RPA takes specific measures to mitigate the environmental and heritage risks of our business through adopting sustainable practices and continuous improvement of environmental performance in our projects.
We:
- Take into account environmental and heritage considerations in RPA’s planning and decision-making processes;
- Comply with all relevant statutory requirements, keep up-to-date with and strive to implement best-practice in Ireland and internationally;
- Develop and implement appropriate environmental objectives and control processes, which we monitor and review for their effectiveness;
- Implement sustainability initiatives in order to achieve reductions in energy consumption and waste generation across Infrastructure delivery;
- Manage new projects, maintenance and renewals in a way that incorporates an assessment of the works’ potential environmental and heritage risks, and take appropriate action to either eliminate or mitigate adverse impacts;
- Promote environmental awareness and responsibility among staff, consultants and contractors; and
- Take environmental competence and compliance into account in selecting and managing contractors and advisors.
Whilst all employees have a duty to ensure our activities take account of risks to the environment, the Chief Executive will ensure that this policy is communicated and implemented throughout the Agency during 2012, and will report on its compliance to the RPA Board.
Frank Allen
Chief Executive
20 December 2011
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