How to write an environmental report

This general layout is helpful in writing an environmental report and is easily adjusted to suit the individual company.

1.         The company

Name, trade, products (what and how much) and number of production sites (all production sites covered by the environmental report must be listed). Number of employees/man-labour years and company representative responsible for environmental issues.

2.            Environmental policy

Company’s environmental policy and any environmental certifications.

3.         Health and work environment

Number of injuries with and without absence. State type of injuries that have occurred, date of last inspection of work environment, as well as completed registrations and efforts to improve the work environment.

4.         Energy consumption

Annual use of energy for the last five years in kWh and litres of oil. If wood chips are used for heating, the contribution must be converted to kWh. If oil heating is used the kWh contribution is calculated according to the efficiency of the oil burner. The use of oil is usually converted using a value of 7 to 9 kWh/l oil. One Norwegian government agency often uses a factor of 7.2-kWh/l oil. The annual energy consumption is reported as total kWh and as total kWh/product unit or heated area. Comment on reasons for increase or decrease.

5.         Water consumption

Water consumption for the last five years (or as many years as possible) in m and m /product unit. Comment on reasons for increase or decrease.

6.          Water emission 

Emission to water, amount of water or an analysis of the discharge if available (m m /product unit, analysis parameter).  Comment on the results compared to permits, laws and regulations. List any unexpected emissions.

7.           Air emission 

Emission/analysis of emission if available (per product unit).  Comment on the results in relation to permits, laws, and regulations. List any unexpected emissions.

8.         Waste

List amounts of waste for the last year by type of waste and total amount. State the recycling percent (recycling percent = source sorting of waste/total amount of waste multiplied by 100). Comment on any increases or decreases.

9.            Transportation

State fuel consumption per driven kilometre for the last five years. Mention other important factors under comments, using additional pages as needed.

10.            Results of previous year’s strategy 

Examples of environmental improvements such as reorganisation resulting in cleaner production, switching to environmentally approved products, making environmental demands to sub-suppliers etc.

11.       New plan of action for upcoming year

Summarise unsolved problems and list new goals and strategies, including plans for improved health, environment and safety.