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NIH Environmental Management System

Take Action to Protect the Future

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Green Your NIH Institute or Center: A How-To Guide

​Greening Your NIH Institute or Center: A How-To Guideis a step-by-step workbook used to identify and implement business practices that will improve the environmental performance and minimize costs of an Institute or Center (IC). This tool guides Green Teams through the greening process. Green Teams are encouraged to use this systematic approach to examine activities/business practices occurring within their IC and develop tools to "green" those activities. This includes developing guidance, tools, outreach programs, and best management practices as well as identifying new opportunities to become more sustainable.
Greening Your NIH Institute or Center: A How-To Guide(full version)PDF icon

(It is recommended that you print this document double-sided, flipping on the long or top edge.)
Worksheets
Step 1: Obtaining Management CommitmentWord icon
Step 2: Communicating Management’s CommitmentWord icon
Step 3: Forming a Green TeamWord icon
Step 4: Preparing for the Green Team Kick-OffWord icon​​
Step 5: Identifying How Our Work Impacts the EnvironmentWord icon
Step 6: Go Greener ChallengesWord icon
Step 7: Setting ObjectivesWord icon​​
Step 8: Identifying Performance Measures and BaselinesWord icon
Step 9: Changing How We Do ThingsWord icon
Step 10: Drafting a Green PolicyWord icon
Step 11: Communicating Our EffortsWord icon
Step 12: Tracking Our ProgressWord icon
Step 13: Reporting Back To ManagementWord icon
Step 14: Improving Our Efforts​​Word icon


Beyond Cycle 1 Worksheets (coming soon!)

Appendices
Appendix A: Executive Order 13423, “Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy and Transportation Management”Word icon
Appendix B:Email Template for Communicating Management’s Commitment​Word icon
Appendix C: Suggested Monthly Meeting ObjectivesPDF icon
Appendix D: Agenda Kick-off Meeting TemplateWord icon
Appendix E: NIH Environmental GoalsPDF icon
Appendix F: Executive Order 13423 Sustainability Practice Areas PDF icon
Appendix G:Potential Performance Measures from the Go Greener ChallengesPDF icon
Appendix H: Green Policy TemplateWord icon
Appendix I: Greening Sheet Template​  Word icon





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