Does your office work on green? Want to differentiate yourself from other green offices?
KÖVET’s Green Office Programme has so far helped more than 120 organisations to adopt green and people-friendly office practices and to educate their staff on sustainability.
The elements of the programme are:
- Expertise,
- Green Office Competition (for offices),
- Green Office Exhibition (for relevant service providers and interested parties),
- Green Office Certification
The Green Office Programme is based on a field survey using the eco-mapping method. It identifies environmental problems and good practices. The office then develops proposals for action, which are assessed from environmental, economic and feasibility perspectives.
The next stage in the implementation of the Green Office Programme is the implementation of an action programme based on the proposed measures. An important part of the process is to involve staff and raise their environmental awareness.
Green Office development
On-site survey and data collection with preparation
The company’s Green Office Coordinator, together with a KÖVET expert, will visit the offices and related areas to identify environmental problems using the eco-mapping method and collect the necessary data throughout the office building.
Employees are involved by completing a one-page Environmental ‘weather report’, which is used to identify areas where employees think the organisation could improve and areas where there are no environmental problems.
Evaluate data, develop a Green Office team
After the walk-through, the information is summarised. After the results, data and information have been processed and evaluated, proposals for solutions and improvements are developed to address the problems identified, adapted to the organisational structure and functioning. A Green Office team is formed from the company’s staff based on the functional units of the organisation.
Development and presentation of an action programme
Based on the environmental, economic and feasibility analysis of the problems and proposals identified during the walk-through and the synthesis, a prioritisation of the actions to be implemented is established and the Green Office Action Programme is drawn up. Responsible persons and deadlines are assigned to each of the tasks to be carried out.
The action programme will then be presented and agreed with the organisation’s management and those responsible for the programme. The aim is to ensure that the action programme is an integral part of the organisation’s annual programme and that a timetable for the green session is established.
Implementation of the action programme
The Action Programme will be implemented over a four-month period, under the leadership of the company’s Green Office Coordinator, with the active involvement of the Green Office team and the involvement of all staff. The aim is to transform the company’s office operations into a Green Office by making them environmentally and people-friendly.
Consultation, consultation
Throughout the programme, KÖVET experts will be available for ongoing consultation to answer any questions and resolve any difficulties (by telephone or e-mail).
Review of the programme after six months
Half a year after the presentation of the action programme, a monitoring visit to the office, a review of the programme and a joint evaluation of the results will take place under the leadership of KÖVET experts and with the participation of the working group members. If necessary, modifications will also be agreed and a new programme will be launched and scheduled.
Green Office Certification
The offices applying to KÖVET have requested to be distinguished from other green offices and to be certified by an independent expert. To this end KÖVET was the first in Hungary to develop a set of criteria for Green Office Certification, which, if met, will make offices a Certified Green Office. The certification process starts with a self-assessment, the results of which and compliance with the criteria are verified by KÖVET experts during an on-site audit. In case of compliance, the office will regularly send information to KÖVET on the level of compliance, after receiving the certificate and the Green Office Certification Letter. A renewal audit is required every two years to maintain the Green Office Certified Workplace title.
The Green Office Certification process
Self-assessment test
A prerequisite for certification is the electronic completion of a self-assessment test. By completing this test, we want to ensure that our certification service is only awarded to organisations whose environmental performance is close to the minimum required to be certified.
On-site audit
During the on-site visit, KÖVET’s Green Office experts check the validity of the self-assessment test, the office’s resource management, green office procurement, measures taken to protect the health of employees, the office’s emissions and the environmental awareness of staff.
Evaluation based on expert opinion
Pass: During the rating process, the experts find the office to be in compliance.
Non-compliance:
Type 1 non-compliance: during the rating process, our experts detect a minor exclusionary error. If the organisation agrees to remedy the deficiency within one month, a review may be requested.
Type 2 non-compliance: during the qualification process, our experts identify minor deficiencies in one area. For a surcharge, a spot audit can be requested within ½ year.
Type 3 non-compliance: in the opinion of the experts, the agency has clearly failed to meet the requirements during the certification process.
Issue of certificate, granting of logo rights, registration
The certified office obtains the right to use the Green Office Certified Workplace logo, obtains a certificate issued by KÖVET and is registered as a Certified Green Office in the country.
Review
The certified office is required to conduct a documented independent internal review on an annual basis, which can be audited by KÖVET experts.
Report
The certified bureau is required to send an annual summary report to KÖVET on the achievement of the previous year’s objectives and the new objectives for the following year. On receipt of the report, KÖVET will issue an acceptance letter, which will entitle the organisation to use the certificate for the second year.
Renewal audit
After two years, the certified office must undergo a renewal audit to keep the mark and the certificate. The renewal audit requires a new contract.
Main criteria for Green Office Certification
Depending on its size, the organisation operating a Green Office must have one or more coordinators, who are responsible for the implementation, maintenance and continuous improvement of the environmental and people-friendly operation.
The organisation should formulate a policy for the operation of the office and ensure that all office staff are aware of it and carry out their duties in accordance with it.
The organisation should review its operations annually, set targets (with deadlines, responsibilities) for improvement and review the achievement of the previous year’s targets.
The Green Office Certificate must be renewed every two years with KÖVET, which requires a comprehensive audit. During the audit, even if only when the certificate is first obtained, a KÖVET expert will examine the office’s resource management, green office procurement, measures taken to keep employees healthy, office emissions and the environmental awareness of staff.
Staff training and awareness raising are essential for the operation of a Green Office.
The organisation must report its annual results and objectives to KÖVET in a short questionnaire (electronically).
References:
National Communications Authority (2008)
National Telecommunications Authority (2008) Profi Power Ltd (2008)
Profi Power Ltd. (2009) Denso Gyártó Magyarország Kft.
Denso Denso Europe Ltd. (2009) Kinnarps Hungary Kft. (2009) Denso Europe Ltd.
Numil Kft. (2009)
SGS Hungária Kft. (2009)
Beltex Real Estate Ltd. (2010)
GE Hungary Zrt. (2010)
Chinoin Zrt. (2011, 2012)
ELTE Vezér Úti College (2011)
Hungarian Bioculture Association (2011)
MARS Hungary Sales Company (2011)
Martin János Vocational School, Miskolc (2012)
(2013, 2015, 2017, 2020, 2021, 2023)
Kinnarps House Trade Ltd. (2014)
BAT Pécsi Dohánygyár Kft (2016)
Human Dialogue Ltd. (2018)
Hungarian National Bank (2019, 2022)
Hungarian National Bank – Green Office Campaign, Green Office Certification (2019, 2022)
Hungarian Workshop Foundation (2021)
GÜNTNER-TATA Refrigeration Ltd (2022)
MFB Zrt. (2022)
FGSZ Natural Gas Transport Ltd. – Siófok (2022)
BKM Budapest Public Utilities Non-profit Ltd. – Kalotaszeg street site (2022)
Albemarle Hungary Kft. (2023)
FGSZ Natural Gas Transport Ltd. – Central Hungary Region – Vecsés (2023)
FGSZ Erdgázszállító Zrt. – Central Hungary Region – Kecskemét (2023)
FGSZ Erdgázszállító Zrt. – Eastern Hungary Region – Miskolc (2023)
FGSZ Natural Gas Transmission Ltd. – East Hungary Region – Hajdúszoboszló (2023)
BKM Budapest Public Utilities Non-profit Ltd. – Szállító Street site (2024)
BKM Budapest Public Utilities Non-profit Ltd. – Rippl Rónai street site (2024)
MET Services Ltd (2024)
Dumaszínház Kft. Budapest (2024)
Dumaszínház Kft. Győr (2024)
OBA National Deposit Insurance Fund (2024)
