For the past decade the Company has operated an environmental management system with the aim of maintaining a high level of awareness among its employees, which in turn encourages control over the impact of our activities on the environment.
Over the past five years, progressive implementation of the international standard ISO 14001 has seen certification being achieved at all of our main operational sites.
The Company is actively involved in taking 'green energy' projects from innovation to completion. Current projects include the use of methane gas from deep mines to generate electricity. This assists the UK in meeting its greenhouse gas reduction targets, as well as reducing power costs on the Group's sites.
UK COAL operates an Environmental Policy and a company-wide Environmental Management System. Site procedures are audited by in-house teams and external experts to ensure continued compliance. Underground and surface readings for emissions, including gas, dust, noise and water are taken, analysed and reported. Where appropriate, action plans to reduce emissions are designed and followed through to completion. Compliance with waste management regulations is monitored, and a programme to encourage re-cycling and waste minimisation is in place. The Environment Department is liaising with suppliers through the purchasing function to look at ways of encouraging green practices throughout the supply chain.