Summary

DENR's Environmental Stewardship Initiative is designed to promote and encourage superior environmental performance by North Carolina's regulated community. This voluntary program is available at no cost to our members.  It provides technical assistance and networking opportunities to stimulate the development and implementation of programs that use pollution prevention and innovative approaches to meet and go beyond regulatory requirements. This program seeks to reduce the impact on the environment beyond measures required by any permit or rule, producing a better environment, conserving natural resources and resulting in long-term economic benefits.

The ESI has three levels of participation. At the entry level is the Environmental Partner, Rising Environmental Steward is the mid level of the program, and the highest level is the Environmental Steward. Each level must meet certain criteria and will earn benefits based on the level of participation. 

Video Presentation "Introduction to the N.C. Environmental Stewardship Initiative"

The "Introduction to ESI" webinar gives an overview of the N.C. Environmental Stewardship Initiative, outlining the structure of the ESI, eligibility requirements, levels of participation and the opportunities available to ESI members. The presentation can be viewed through the link above.

Download a copy of the ESI brochure by clicking here.

Eligibility

Any organization looking to improve their environmental performance is eligible to apply to the program. Multi-site applications are only accepted at the Partner level.

This includes, but is not limited to:

• manufacturers,
• businesses,
• agribusinesses,
• service providers,
• government agencies,
• schools and
• nonprofits.

Apply Now!

Applications accepted year-round. Rising Stewards and Stewards are reviewed after five years to assess if the facilities continue to meet the criteria set for each level and overall program goals. All members are reviewed annually for continual improvement.

• Partner Application 
• Rising Steward Application
• Steward Application

Services

• Personalized on-site EMS assistance
• EMS Gap Analysis
• Internal Audit Assistance
• Root Cause Determination Assistance
• 5S events
• Value Stream Mapping events
• Dumpster Dive Assistance
• Technical and Compliance Assistance
• Waste, Water, Energy Assessments
• Facilitation Assistance

Training

The ESI is continually updating the range of training classes to meet the needs of the membership. All trainings are available to ESI members at not cost.  For other interested parties, only EMS 101 is open to non-ESI members.

• Formal EMS training is scheduled based on the member interest.
  This is a series of 5 one-day modules in a group setting that provides information and exercises based on ISO 14001.  At the end of the series, members will have the framework for an EMS system ready to be implemented in their organization.
  • Module 1: EMS 101- Introduction to Environmental Management Systems and ISO 14001
  • Module 2: Aspect and Impact Identification and Ranking
  • Module 3: Operational Control and Monitoring and Measurement
  • Module 4: Establishing Objectives and Targets/Environmental Management Programs
  • Module 5: Corrective and Preventative Action, Compliance with Legal and Other Requirements and Environmental Management System Audit

The following are available on-ste by request by emailing esi@ncdenr.gov

• Internal Auditor Training
  This is a one-day training where we spend the morning learning techniques and the afternoon in a mock audit to practice these new skills.
• Lean & Green Training
  
  • 5S
    This is a one hour presentation on "What is 5S?" and examples of implementation. This presentation is usually given in combination with an on-site event (see services).
  • Value Stream Mapping
    This is a one hour presentation on "What is VSM?" and examples of how to include the environment in the process. This presentation is usually given in combination with an on-site Lean & Green VSM event (see Services).

Pre-recorded Webinars Available:

Lean Webinar Series
"Using a Lean Approach to Improve Environmental Performance and Accelerate Sustainability."

Greenhouse Gas Webinar Series

• Part 1: Getting Started with Greenhouse Gases
  Speakers present on how to calculate a carbon footprint at a small industrial facility (Burt's Bees - Durham) and at a large college campus (UNC-Chapel Hill). EPA presents on the Climate Leaders program and how to set your own GHG goals.
• Part 2: Green Buildings: Retrofitting of Existing Buildings and Performance Contracting
  This webinar discusses how to retrofit existing facilities to become green buildings, including the use of performance contracting to finance improvements.
• Part 3: GHG Reduction Projects at N.C. Facilities -- Successes and Lessons Learned
  ESI members -- Eaton and EMC Corporation and Novozymes NA -- present on projects implemented at N.C. facilities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. DEAO staff introduce the new Recycling and Climate Change website.
• Part 4: Energy Management - A Pathway to GHG Reduction
  Saving energy can help to reduce indirect greenhouse gas emissions. Energy management systems are one important tool to help you manage your energy savings. Not sure how to pay for your energy reduction projects? Performance contracting can help you install now and pay through the resulting savings over time. Also, N.C. utility companies discuss current incentive programs to help facilities implement energy saving projects now.

Benefits of membership in the ESI include:

• Networking opportunities
• Access to free training and webinars;
• Participation in the annual ESI members meeting;
• Partners and Rising Stewards are presented with their recognition at the annual ESI members meeting;
• Stewards are presented with their recognition at an onsite ceremony with the DENR Secretary;
• Monthly electronic newsletter;
• Stewards are invited to a special face-to-face meeting with the DENR Secretary;
• Members have access to a coach that serves as a single point of contact within DENR;
• Free assistance with EMS development and;
• Links to your organization on the ESI website.

ESI Members in the News

• Firestone Fibers and Textiles, Kings Mountain, is Facility of the Month
• Environmental Stewardship in CMS Leads to Valuable Operating Funds
• CMS Reduces Carbon Footprint, Increases Savings
• Camp LeJeune's Groundbreaking Solar Surge
• NC Zoo Wins Prestigious Green Award
• Triangle company helping turn trash into fuel (Novozymes NA)
• High Point's Thomas Built Buses Inc. Recognized For Outstanding Environmental Efforts
• Thomas Built Buses Inc. To Be Recognized for Outstanding Environmental Efforts
• Fuquay-Varina's John Deere Turf Care Recognized for Outstanding Environmental Efforts
• Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Wins 2011 Broad Prize for Urban Education
• Public can visit new section of Haw River State Park at Free Festival
• Gov. Perdue Announces 120 Jobs with Eaton as Company Plans Expansion in Person County - February 21, 2011
• FY 2010 CNO Environmental Award Announced (Fleet Readiness Center East) - Feb. 17, 2011