RBGE has just published its first full-length environmental report. Compiled with the help of Edinburgh-based environmental consultants Natural Capital, the report details the progress the organisation has made in the last three years towards managing its environmental impact.
"We have been running an active Environmental Management System since 2006 and our five very active environmental groups were established in that year," explains Director of Horticulture David Rae, who heads up RBGE's environmental management. "This report outlines the activities of the travel, utilities, waste, procurement and biodiversity groups and the targets they have achieved."
The report also publishes RBGE's first carbon footprint assessment, revealing what the Garden's greenhouse gas emissions are and which areas of activity use the most energy.
"It is a legal requirement to make this data public and we are proud to be amongst the most active of Scottish public bodies in this area," says David Rae. "These carbon footprint figures give us the information to see where we need to reduce our impact on the environment and where to focus our energy. Improving the environment on many levels is at the heart of the Garden's mission and this environmental report outlines how we do this while at our work."
For more information, download RBGE's environmental report 2008 (PDF, 1.87MB) or go to the Environmental responsibility page.