Accommodation and Real Estate Services

Environmental Stewardship Policy

(Policy Approved September 2008: Last Updated June 2009)

ARES is committed to conducting its business in an environmentally responsible manner through the following commitments:

1. To demonstrate leadership in the development and implementation of high performance standards that guides the ongoing evolution of provincial policy on high performance buildings.
2. To support and implement, in cooperation with our customers, government commitments to high performance buildings, e.g., implementation of actions set out in government plans, policies and processes:
   
   
   1. Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets Act
   2. Climate Action Plan: Live Smart BC
   3. The BC Energy Plan 2007
   4. Energy Efficient Buildings Strategy
   5. High Performance Building Policy
   6. Air Action Plan
   7. Public Sector Energy Conservation Agreement (PSECA)
   8. Living Water Smart: British Columbia's Water Plan
   9. Capital Asset Management Framework (CAMF)
   
   
3. To ensure employees receive the training, guidance and resources necessary to ensure the success of ARES and customer initiatives in support of government high performance building and climate action commitments.
4. To maintain ISO 14001:2004 registration of ARES’ Environmental Management System, which formally manages potential environmental impacts of its activities, products, and services. With regard to these impacts, ISO 14001:2004 specifically requires ARES to:
   
   
   • Practice pollution prevention
   • Continually improve environmental practices in its business
   • Meet or exceed all applicable legal, contractual, government mandated or voluntary requirements.
    
5. To regularly report, internally and externally, on progress in achieving Environmental Management System and high performance building objectives and targets.