How green is your dragon?
August 1st 2004 For many companies, the attainment of a formal environmental management system such as ISO14001 can be daunting. In some cases, this level of achievement is not fully relevant to their business needs.
However, in a world of growing environmental consciousness, many companies wish to demonstrate that they are aware of their environmental impact and are doing something about improving it. Its a strong positive message, if not a necessity, for potential customers, existing customers and other interested parties such as local communities.
Organisations in Wales have a distinct head start as they have had a highly regarded environmental management standard of their own since 1998. The Green Dragon is a five-tier system enabling organisations to reach a level that is appropriate for their specific needs. Each level demonstrates a certain recognised standard of environmental management achievement, with level 5 equating to the international and European environmental standards ISO 14001 and EMAS.
Co-ordinated by ARENA Network, an independent, professional and not-for-profit organisation, Green Dragon was developed in conjunction with Groundwork Wales, the European Regional Development Fund, National Assembly for Wales, Welsh Development Agency (WDA), Environment Agency Wales, local authorities and Business Connect Wales.
ARENA Network is funded partially by the WDA with whom they work in close collaboration to help Welsh organisations achieve high levels of environmental performance.
The Green Dragon standard is applicable to any company or organisation, regardless of size or type, and will help them achieve real environmental benefits as well as cost savings. The latter result from the standards appraisal and audit processes which help companies relate their environmental management systems to their bottom line.
Assessment for each level includes a site audit by an authorised auditor and annual site audits follow in order to ensure continuing compliance.
Companies achieving levels 2, 3, 4 and 5 are able to display the Green Dragon logo on their stationery and feature on the official website www.greendragonwales.com.
Martin Turner, director of ARENA Network says: There are now more than 280 organisations with Green Dragon grading and a number of local authorities in Wales currently are also working towards achieving the Green Dragon standard.
Word of the standards relevance and significance is spreading. Organisations in other parts of the UK are looking into adopting it to certify their own environmental credentials.
The five Green Dragon levels are:
Level 1 demonstrating initial commitment
Level 2 action on legal obligations
Level 3 a more advanced environmental management system
Level 4 a comprehensive, structured approach
Level 5 addressing continual environmental improvements | 
