We are Eco-Certified

Being eco-certified through the Eco-Lighthouse Foundation commits us to constantly working to reduce our climate footprint. The first goal for NMH to become a climate-friendly institution is to

• limit our carbon footprint by reducing the number of flights by 30% by the end of 2023 and 40% by the end of 2025, measured up against 2019
• finance additional costs for train journeys
• upgrade meeting rooms for easy access to digital and hybrid meetings
• establish a green purchasing policy, and always choose a climate-friendly alternative. 90% of NMH's suppliers must be eco-friendly
• increase the proportion of cyclists, pedestrians and public transport travellers to and from NMH by establishing bike parking under a roof and with security
• reduce the amount of residual waste by 30% and increase our waste recycling

These goals are from the Academy's new climate and sustainability policy, implemented in the eco-certification process.

Students and employees will notice an increased focus on different eco-actions, like more recycling bins and fewer regular waste bins. Everyone will be asked to participate in mapping our travel habits and attitudes toward climate change. As we advance, we will host several climate courses and events.

The Academy will use less electricity. This does not mean hotter or colder NMH buildings, but that we use the energy more efficiently when it comes to heating, humidity and ventilation.

SiO runs our cafeteria. NMH expects SiO to offer organic, seasonal and locally produced food, a daily vegetarian or vegan dinner option, climate-friendly suppliers, and environmentally conscious packaging of all goods in line with our climate goals. Disposable items must be reduced and eco-labelled.

NMH employees have access to a car park free of charge in the garage below the Policy Academy.

– We are not currently planning to implement a parking fee in the garage, but that's definitively an action we might consider to lower the incentives for driving a car to NMH. At the same time, we will upgrade the bike parking and try to guide students and employees towards alternative methods of transport, says Project Manager Johan Jørgensen and substitute manager Anders Eggen.

Travels

We recently adjusted NMH's Travel Policy to be more eco-friendly, and it has now been adopted by the Cooperation Committee (Samarbeidsutvalget).

When travelling, you must always consider how you can minimize your carbon footprint. Is the journey necessary, or is digital communication a sensible option? Is your journey related to a strategic or academic goal? We will shortly make the entire Travel Policy available on our website.

– The first certification process mainly consisted of creating management documents and strategies for an eco-friendly workplace. We have identified areas to improve and have incorporated this into a climate and sustainability policy. We must report our climate numbers to the Eco-Lighthouse Foundation every year. We have uncovered climate numbers from the previous three years, and the numbers give us a baseline for comparison and analysis in the future. The climate numbers consist, among other things, of how much waste we produce, how well we recycle, the number of trips and how many kilos of paper we use, Project Manager Johan Jørgensen says.

– To become eco-certified, we must incorporate all of this into an environmental management system.

What is an environmental management system?

An environmental management system will enable us to work purposefully. The system comprises a basic mapping and annual climate reports. For example, we must have a climate and environment policy, travel policy, communication plan, training plan, an organisational map and refer to our HSE system to maintain a good working environment. All plans must be well rooted in NMH's management.