Environmental Requirements

Environmental management is integral to our business activities and decision-making. We are committed to protecting and, where practicable, enhancing the environment through implementation of our Environmental and Energy Policy.

The policy establishes the framework for our environmental objectives and commitments, including pollution prevention, sustainable resource use, compliance with applicable obligations, protection of biodiversity and ecosystems, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and continual improvement in environmental performance.

The policy is available at workplaces and through the business management system. Employees, contractors and other relevant personnel are made aware of the policy, their environmental responsibilities and the way their activities and decisions can influence environmental outcomes. Awareness is supported through inductions, training, project communications, toolbox talks and role-specific competency requirements.

Environmental Priorities

Environmental priorities are established to support the achievement of Laing O’Rourke’s Environmental and Energy Policy, particularly in regard to significant environmental aspects, compliance obligations, risks and opportunities, business strategy and the relevant requirements of interested parties.

Key environmental priority areas include:

• efficient and sustainable use of energy, water, materials and other resources;
• prevention and minimisation of pollution and impacts to land, water, air, biodiversity and communities;
• achievement of applicable client and project environmental requirements;
• effective engagement with relevant interested parties;
• fulfilment of legal, approval, contractual and other compliance obligations; and
• continual improvement in measurable environmental performance.

Objectives, targets, performance indicators, responsibilities and delivery timeframes are established and monitored through the relevant business and project planning processes that are associated with the Laing O’Rourke Health, Safety and Environmental Management System (HSEMS).

Context and Interested Parties

The business identifies and reviews the internal and external issues that may affect its ability to achieve the intended outcomes of the Environmental Management System. These include organisational structure and capability, project delivery models, supply-chain reliance, legal and approval requirements, client expectations, community sensitivity, climate change, pollution, natural-resource availability, biodiversity, ecosystem condition, technology and changing market expectations.

Relevant interested parties are identified at both business and project levels. Their relevant needs and expectations are evaluated to determine which are legal, contractual or other requirements that the business is required, or has chosen, to address through the HSEMS.

Relevant interested parties may include:

• employees and the project workforce;
• clients and asset owners;
• joint venture, alliance and delivery partners;
• regulatory and approval authorities;
• Traditional Owners and First Nations organisations;
• communities, landowners, neighbours and local businesses;
• designers, consultants, subcontractors and suppliers;
• waste, transport and resource-recovery providers;
• government agencies, councils, utilities and emergency services;
• financiers, insurers, shareholders and governance bodies; and
• relevant industry, environmental and community organisations.

Scope and Life-Cycle Application

The Environmental Management System applies to the organisational functions, workplaces, projects, activities, products and services included within its defined certification scope and over which the business has authority or the ability to exercise control or influence.

Environmental requirements are considered across the relevant project life cycle, including work winning, planning, approvals, design, procurement, construction, temporary works, commissioning, handover, maintenance support and demobilisation. The nature and extent of control or influence applied to joint ventures, delivery partners, contractors, suppliers and other externally provided activities is determined having regard to contractual arrangements, governance responsibilities, environmental risk and the business’s ability to influence outcomes.