In this section
Home: Newsroom › Papers & Updates
> Do you know what you are looking for? Use our A-Z Directory
Papers & Updates
-
In the health & safety space we often say that the risk you walk past is the level of risk you are prepared to accept. In this paper we argue that CEO's must build trust to develop better safety in the workplace. -
New legislation demands immediate reporting of any incident where material harm to the environment is caused or threatened. Our paper details the legislative changes, the potential business risks and how to respond. -
European Directives being enacted over the next decade are opening up opportunities for the development and expansion of recycling facilities, particularly in Eastern Europe, but ensuring they capitalise on these opportunities isn't straight forward. -
With the recent hosepipe ban announced in the UK we thought we would share some interesting facts on how we use water in our homes and how to reduce our consumption... -
Health & Safety is full of myths, our 1-pager looks at root causes, the Judith Hackitt challenge, matching investment to risk and reasonable and practical behaviours. -
Australian Workplace Health and Safety Act and manual handling
In Australia's new 2012 Workplace Health and Safety Act what are the definitions of hazardous manual tasks? Find out the impact on your business. -
Changes to OHS laws in Australia are defining the responsibility of a Director in improving their understanding of what their health and safety risk is and how they can provide a proactive response. -
Can you afford to assume no responsibility in enabling your contractors employees to understand your OHS systems and processes? -
Workplace Health and Safety Act expands definition of 'officer' in Australia
Australian regulators frustrated in health and safety related cases where individuals responsible for an incident hide behind their employers are defining the role of an officer as someone who has responsibility in the business. -
The adoption of the model Workplace Health & Safety Act and Regulations by each state and territory in Australia has been lukewarm. Find out why and what this means for businesses. -
Sustainable waste management is of increasing importance to business as a result of regulatory drivers, recycling targets, rising disposal costs and stakeholder and corporate responsibility pressures. -
The Product Stewardship Act 2011 in Australia is clear evidence of what can be achieved between Government, manufacturers and the community. Our paper explores this innovative new regulation. -
Our White Paper busts some myths on the Carbon Tax, particularly in how it will impact the property sector. -
Carbon Tax - how prepared is Australia's manufacturing sector
What are the business impacts of a carbon tax on the supply chain for Australia's manufacturers, courtesy of the new Carbon Tax? -
The UK HSE proposes new charges for businesses to plug their funding gap - October 2011
Faced with 35% cut in Government funding, the UK Health & Safety Executive proposes to recover £60m from charges levied on a wider scope of businesses. -
The UK Renewable Heat Incentive, down but not out - October 2011
Despite the Government's 11th hour postponement, we are cautiously optimistic that the UK's Renewable Heat Incentive will launch as planned in November. -
£8bn of investment is required in the UK's waste infrastructure. However, despite this we examine why private investors and financial institutions still consider the sector a high risk. -
One in a generation opportunity for regulatory reform - September 2011
Terry A'Hearn speaks to Australia's leading environmental publication, WME, about how the UK has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to generate some genuinely creative ideas for regulatory reform. -
Transfer of environmental liabilities in the oil and gas sector
Focused on the oil and gas sector, our White Paper details how in an evolving market organizations can successfully divest underperforming assets through the transfer of environmental liabilities. -
The Australian Federal Government released the details of the carbon price mechanism. Many aspects were already in the public domain, so were not a surprise, however the formal announcement provided the clarity and certainty that many have been wanting. -
Emerging issues influencing Environmental Due Diligence in the U.S.
U.S. companies involved in M&A;activity are required to consider a wider range of factors within the environmental due diligence process. This White Paper examines the issues and the requirements, including EPA regulations and corporate best practice. -
Find out more about changes to Feed-in Tariffs for AD, the new AD Strategy and Action Plan by Defra and DECC, the largest AD plant opened in June and the implications of some High Court rulings. -
This paper positions the impacts of the environmental risks from managing wastes from mining and mineral processing and outlines how planning, design and effective maintenance can manage these risks effectively. -
The HM Treasury’s ‘Plan for Growth’ published in March 2011 announced 21 Enterprise Zones; areas where reduced taxes and planning rules are intended to attract new businesses and create new jobs. -
The UK's Forest Heath Core Strategy falls foul of the SEA Directive
A recent High Court Ruling emphasises the need for options to be assessed and reported on in assessments of plans and programmes. The judgement demonstrates that assessment is a key part of the policy making process. -
WSP have co-authored a framework document with NICOLE which addresses brownfield divestment in Europe and securing as clean an exit from liability as possible. -
A short newsletter-style briefing note titled ‘Making Space for Waste’ gives some high-level information on the importance of planning for waste and recycling when considering a new development or refurbishment project. -
Terry A'Hearn, director of our regulatory innovation and sustainability services, continues to look at the comparisons between Australia and the UK when tackling climate change in his second opinion piece for leading Australian publication WME. -
We are delighted to have completed the remediation of the former Kodak Imaging site in Liverpool, UK, which represents the first environmental liability transfer outside of the US. -
Implications of a ‘presumption in favour of sustainable development'
The introduction of a presumption in favour of sustainable development was anticipated to be in the Localism Bill, it was not. Ann Skippers of Charisma Spatial Planning and Sean Nicholson of WSP explore what it might mean. -
Minimising Developer Risk: UK Environmental Planning Update - March 2011
The ecology survey season is upon us. Undertaking surveys during this optimum time can avoid lengthy delays to development programmes. -
Assessing Surface Water Management Plans in the UK - January 2011
Need guidance in preparing your Surface Water Management Plans (SWMPs) in the UK? Our paper outlines three essential environmental assessments to consider... -
Following the 2010 release of the Mayor's updated Air Quality Strategy for London, we review three of the major policy changes with particular implications for future developments proposed in Greater London. -
'Making Space for Nature' - What does this mean for developers? - December 2010
Our ecology experts examine the implications and opportunities for UK developers arising from 'Making Space for Nature', the independent review into the way we value and care for our natural environment. -
Terry A'hearn recently joined us from Australia to lead our regulatory innovation and sustainability services. In his article for leading Australian publication WME, Terry reflects on the UK's positive approach to sustainability in times of austerity.
-
A very high-level overview of what has been agreed in the climate talks in Cancun and what will be left for later agreement and negotiation in Durban in 12 months’ time. -
How to maximize a submission to the Carbon Disclosure Project
As a U.S. consultancy partner to the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), our white paper makes three key recommendations to all responding companies to optimize their CDP reporting processes. -
In the first of a series of papers on 'Finding Solutions', Beverley Walker, our Head of Offshore Renewables, looks at one of the consenting challenges currently facing offshore developers and regulators - how large can we stretch the Rochdale Envelope? -
Any business that wishes to remain commercially successful will need to contend with this increasing threat of water scarcity. We used our water footprinting tool to help GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) to identify where water use was particulary sensitive for them -
How can businesses best control their energy use? - July 2010
The cost of energy to our businesses has risen enough to give our Facilities Managers and Financial Directors sweaty palms, especially in such cash constrained times. We look at how some quick wins can ease the financial burden... -
Has the long-awaited UK solar revolution really arrived? - July 2010
The UK's solar industry has lagged terribly behind its European counterparts for the past decade due to the lack of government subsidies. Nevertheless, activity has been burgeoning in recent years. Serge Younes investigates... -
Impacts of the coalition government on the waste sector - July 2010
New policies - and changes to existing legislation - look set to change the landscape of the waste management sector. Our experts examine the impacts of the UK coalition government's plan... -
A small scale renewable energy revolution is on its way - June 2010
We are seeing the first seeds of a small-scale renewable energy revolution in the UK. From 1st April 2010, the Government is paying homeowners, real estate companies and other businesses for every unit of renewable electricity they generate. Read more... -
Exploring the role of public sector estates in mitigating climate change - May 2010
Public sector estates in the UK can play a key and influential role in mitigating climate change by improving environmental performance and embracing the use of renewables. Find out more from Isabel Boira-Segarra, our own Renewables expert. -
Eurocode 7 - Implications for groundworks and geotechnical design
Eurocode 7 was introduced on 1st April 2010 and is one of the most far reaching documents in the past 30 years to impact groundworks and will have major implications on geotechnical design. Our paper explains more... -
In his most recent edition of ‘Editor’s Perspective’, US-based Executive Vice President and editor of the esteemed publication Remediation Journal, John Simon discusses the controversy behind solvent cleanup standards. -
WSP Group and RGA Waterfront have teamed up to offer bespoke advice on the sustainable development of marinas and associated land. Find out more... -
WSP analyse Marmot Review on planning healthy communities in the UK
Read our analysis of the ‘Strategic Review of Health Inequalities in England post 2010 – Fair Society, Healthy Lives’ – The Marmot Review. We assess the policy recommendations and who has a responsibility to make change happen. -
How can you earn from renewable energy if you have land or property?
The UK’s Feed In Tariff scheme now makes small-to-medium scale renewable energy installations commercially viable, enabling businesses to earn from the clean energy they generate. Find out more in our update paper. -
The Deaf Children's Society have successfully lobbied the UK Government fore improved acoustics standards in schools. -
This article, co-authored by WSP Environment & Energy’s Matt Burns, discusses the benefits of compound specific isotope analysis (CSIA) to optimize delivery and monitor performance of ISCO applications. -
Two weeks of chaotic and confusing haggling at COP15 produced The Copenhagen Accord. WSP attended a post-COP15 briefing with Gordon Brown and we now offer this briefing on what happened and what happens next. -
Water scarcity is a very real issue potentially affecting 2.7 billion people by 2025. So what measures are being taken to respond to the threat, and raise the profile of diminishing water availability?
-
Over 2,000 people responded to our UK research study on attitudes to living in a low carbon future. Find out their views on incentives, the future urban environment, response from business, people's motivations and much more. -
North West chemicals companies in UK advised on climate change legislation
Find out how WSP are helping companies across the North West cope with the £72 billion cost of meeting their obligations for flexing into a low carbon economy. -
Product carbon footprinting: improving environmental performance and manufacturing efficiency
In this article we assess product carbon footprinting, based on life cycle assessment (LCA), as a tool for competing more effectively in a carbon-constrained economy. -
A study for Microsoft demonstrating the environmental benefits of digital software distribution
WSP, Accenture and Microsoft combine to publish a white paper on a study that demonstrates significant environmental benefits when customers download software over the internet. -
In the UK we produce 'Real Estate Sustainability', an update on sustainability issues impacting property. Download our 2009 edition below. -
Carbon Reduction Commitment, Display Energy Certificates & the NHS
We held a series of events recently surrounding how the proposed Carbon Reduction Commitment regulations might impact the NHS. Here's a copy of that presentation. -
'Editor's Perspective' article on Sustainable Remediation thought leadership white paper - June 2
This article gives an editors perspective of the white paper, “Integrating Sustainable Principles, Practices, and Metrics into Remediation Projects" written by the U.S. Sustainable Remediation Forum (SURF). For full paper, email john.simon@wspgroup.com -
The UK CRC could impact 5,000 companies across the UK, from hotels, to banks, property companies and local authorities. We held a series of events up and down the UK recently. Here's a copy of that presentation.
-
World leaders are to meet in Copenhagen - what are the big issues? May 2009
World leaders are to meet in Copenhagen in December 2009 as part of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Here's the first in our series of papers where we highlight the key issues we feel the delegates will need to agree. -
New research in the US on the financial benefits of energy efficient 'green' buildings - April 2009
Buildings in the US with 'green' ratings, such as Energy Star and LEED, can significantly impact market rents and value of commercial space, according to new research commissioned by RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors). -
As we near the end of the first decade of the new millennia, sustainability has marched purposefully towards the top of the agenda. And 2009 could be a landmark year for sustainable remediation. Find out why... -
Managing Environmental Risk and Compliance: Facility Decommissioning - April 2009
We discuss the significant environmental and risk management considerations associated with facility closure and decommissioning in the USA. -
Environmental Capital updates the UK investment community. Our Spring 2009 edition includes information on commercial gains from sustainability opportunities, financial options for managing contaminated sites, and the Carbon Reduction Commitment. -
Our top tips to retailers to improve environmental efficiency – April 2009
High level ideas for retailers to adopt around waste, water and energy management, all designed to drive environmental efficiencies and economic effectiveness. -
White Paper with Microsoft on benefits of carbon footprinting - March 2009
WSP and Microsoft combine to publish a ‘white paper’ calculating the business value and environmental benefit from digital software distribution. Our study reveals a dramatic reduction in carbon emissions from online delivery of the product. -
In Australia we have developed an iPhone application ('app') that has hit Number 1 on the App Store as the most purchased app in the news category. -
Due Diligence: Changes to US Accounting Standards - January 2009
Changes in US accounting standards are affecting environmental due diligence requirements, meaning broader assumptions must be incorporated into valuations. -
December 2008 has seen the agreement of a significant range of new energy and climate change measures by EU ministers - confirmed as 'The EU Energy & Climate Change Package'. Download this paper for a summary of the main points. -
Controlling waste produced by shopping centres at Christmas – December 2008
6000 tonnes of waste will be produced by the UK’s 5 newest shopping centres this Christmas – enough to fill 2.4 Olympic sized swimming pools. Find out WSP’s tips to reduce the overall impact. -
WSP’s comment on EU announcement on carbon plans – December 2008
To meet GHG targets, the EU is expected to end the free allocation of some emission certificates for energy companies. Chris Stubbs assesses the impacts and encourages cleaner technologies. -
Was a poor safety culture responsible for the Nerpa Russian Submarine Disaster? Are such incidents the result of freak mishaps and individual mischief or does safety culture offer an explanation as to why these incidents occur? -
The UK CRC could impact 5,000 companies across the UK, from hotels, to banks, property companies and local authorities. We explain how to know if you're included and how to prepare.
-
Choosing a sustainability strategy for your business in a tough economic climate – October 2008
David Symons considers what the appetite is for a sustainability strategy in the current climate. Can being ‘green’ actually save you money? This paper positions how to implement an efficient programme. -
Evaluating land banks – getting the remedial cost right – October 2008
Quantifying environmental liabilities is a critical part of assessing the value contained in land banks and portfolios at a time when divestment is important. Find out if your consultant is assessing the right things. -
Environmental Capital updates the UK investment community. This edition covers information on evaluating land banks, on waste and resource management, and on REACH - said to be the most complex piece of EU legislation. -
Ground source heat pumps provide an efficient solution for heating and cooling. This guidance note has been written to help those interested in improving the sustainability and efficiency of heating and cooling systems in their building. -
Real Estate Sustainability is an update for the UK commercial property sector. Read more about Energy Performance Certificates, the Carbon Reduction Commitment, Green Leases and more. -
New Approach to Assessing Environmental Liabilities - January 2008
A new and highly successful approach to the assessment and mitigation of contaminated land liabilities is being driven by the adoption of a wide range of biological, chemical and geophysical techniques.
Download