Paperless day 2011 Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi

When did it all start ? In 2008 – When EAD partnered with ADGAS for the paper less day to commemorate the world environment day In 2009 – 12 entities from government and private sector participated and helped save nearly 2 trees and 157 kgs of CO2 EAD committed to observing the paper less day involving many more entities In most of the 12 entities who participated paper less day was the beginning of a totally new culture. Paper less day got linked with Green IT In 2010 – over 200 organizations participated and 4290kg of CO2 emissions were reduced. Now all organization have adapted to using recycled paper for office use, in addition to having new printers which keeps record of all printing and thus enable organization to identify areas of excesses to be able to reduce

A simple and effective campaign 2010 Paperless day through the web site. Over 120,000 people already registered for participation Over 200 organization Paper-less day = saving energy water+ trees+ species + habitat Simple and can be easily done There is a concrete deliverable at the end of the day When we save each ream of paper, we aid in pounds of carbon sequestration

Climate change and vanishing biodiversity issues Well aware of perils of CC This year has been declared as the international year of biodiversity. Campaign to plant for the planet is on- one billion tree to be planted Paper less day is about preventing the existing trees from being cut.

Objectives of the Paperless Day To reduce carbon emissions produced through excessive use of paper which contributes to climate change. To help reduce and optimize the consumption of water and energy needed to produce paper. To help save forests. To evaluate the paper saved in terms of trees saved. To reduce the usage of paper amongst people. To move from 'raising awareness' to 'action' and help make a positive change in people's attitude and behavior towards paper consumption.

Why Paper? One of the world’s major polluting industry Largest contributor to Green House Gases (GHG) Approx 900 million trees cut down annually US EPA studies show paper constitutes 40% of our waste stream Record keeping accounts for 90% of office activity 80% filed documents are never referenced back 45% printed are discarded same day

Paperless office a myth? Paperless office concept has been around since the 70’s and meant the future office with automation and all Introduction of automation and Pc’s actually increased paper use. Moving towards a Paperless office is a complex concept encompassing Issues of technology, management change, how people process data, work process/culture needs to be addressed. Studies in US show usage of 3.7 million tons of copy paper – approx 700 billion sheets Xerox study shows in the US an average office worker prints approximately K sheets annually

“A Day Without Paper” 1)Applies to internal communication only 2)Just a day which aims at looking inwards at non essential use of papers in the office. 3)This is not an attempt to change existing policies 4)All non-essential printing and copying would cease

“A Day Without Paper” 5)All external communication/essential printing to continue unaffected (such as LPO, Cheques, etc) 6)Papers will not be available in printers/copiers 7)Paper are made available through designated focal points after citing reason/s 8)Celebrate with an event – A forum for sharing how do we feel about such a day 9)Also to Seek commitments – Tokens of appreciations 10)All use is measured/reported

Your organization’s commitment 1.Blessing from the management 2. A team of dedicated staff 3. Efficient coordinator to collaborate with all other organization with the same purpose. 4. BY now hopefully established a Baseline – Qty of paper consumed 5.Committed to welcome honest feedback and suggestions after the event from employees for any future and long term action

How can you be a part ? 7.Help Build the momentum….spread the message to all, do the same at home. 8.Ensure that in all your Internal communication – you think of ingenuous ways to reduce paper use. (as much as possible) 9.Be aware that your organizing team has taken off all Papers from photocopiers/printers (or IT disable printing) (Communication…) 10.It is your part to ensure that NO unnecessary printing/copying occurs 11.Try as far as possible that any printing that does occur is double sided 12.Be aware and do contact your focal points from whom papers can be taken after citing reasons for any essential use. 13.Remember we all can celebrate success only when we keep our logs of papers disbursed

Team Functions Created an or a system to log in request for non essential use of paper Created an online form/ for collecting feedback/suggestions

After the today…… Collate all the Lessons learned from all organization to be published and shared with the rest of the world. Look at ways in which this experience can be enriched and enhanced for the next round. Continuous process of improvement Come let us take this forward to the world

Be the change that you want to see all around you Let us start a Global Movement Do not Underestimate the Power that you have to change the world

Reporting ! All entities report on average paper use /day in their office and the Papers saved on the Paperless Day. The papers saved will automatically be translated in terms of CO2 emissions saved. Last date for uploading all reports including photographs, if any, will be 30 th November. The success of the campaign depends on the reporting on the papers saved. Separate meeting will be held in early January 2012 and success of the Paperless Day will be shared with one and all. Final date will be informed to all

Thank you Yours truly Paperless Day Team Environment Agency- Abu Dhabi