Common Green Audit Findings & How to Fix Them

Understanding Green Audit Findings

A green audit systematically evaluates an organization's sustainability performance across energy, water, waste, materials, biodiversity, indoor environment quality, and environmental management. When performance falls short of the certification criteria, auditors document findings — each classified by severity.

Finding Severity Levels

• Major Nonconformity: A systemic failure or complete absence of a required element. Certification cannot be granted until resolved and verified. Example: no energy monitoring of any kind, or complete absence of waste segregation.
• Minor Nonconformity: An isolated gap or partial non-compliance that does not undermine the overall green management system. Certification can proceed with an accepted corrective action plan. Example: waste segregation exists but is missing in one department.
• Observation / Opportunity for Improvement (OFI): An area that meets minimum requirements but could be improved. No corrective action required, but noted for continual improvement. Example: LED lighting installed but no occupancy sensors in low-traffic areas.

Finding #1: Energy Waste

Energy-related findings are the most prevalent across all sectors — appearing in virtually every first-time green audit.

What Auditors Look For

• Energy consumption monitoring and tracking (utility bills, sub-metering, BMS data)
• Energy-efficient lighting (LED conversion status, lux levels)
• Automated controls — timers, occupancy sensors, daylight sensors, BMS scheduling
• HVAC efficiency — thermostat settings, maintenance records, filter replacement schedules
• Equipment maintenance — preventive maintenance schedules, motor efficiency, compressed air leak checks
• Renewable energy utilization or plans
• Energy reduction targets and progress tracking

Typical Observations

• Conventional (fluorescent/incandescent) lighting still in use in 30%+ of facility areas
• No occupancy sensors or timers — lights and AC running in unoccupied rooms
• HVAC set points below recommended levels (e.g., 18°C instead of 24°C)
• Equipment running outside operating hours with no auto-shutoff
• No sub-metering — unable to identify energy consumption by area or equipment
• Preventive maintenance logs missing or outdated

Severity

Minor to Major — absence of any energy monitoring or tracking is typically a major nonconformity. Individual inefficiencies (e.g., some non-LED areas) are usually minor.

Root Cause

Energy management is often treated as a facilities task without management oversight or targets. Energy bills are paid without analysis. No one is accountable for energy performance.

Practical Fixes

• Quick win (1–2 weeks): Start a monthly energy tracking spreadsheet using utility bills; set HVAC to 24–25°C; establish lights-off policy for unoccupied areas
• Short-term (1–3 months): Complete LED conversion (prioritize high-usage areas first); install occupancy sensors in meeting rooms, washrooms, and corridors; implement timer switches for common areas
• Medium-term (3–6 months): Install sub-meters for major loads; establish energy reduction targets; initiate preventive maintenance program with documented schedules; assess rooftop solar potential

Finding #2: Water Management Gaps

Water management findings are common, particularly in organizations that rely entirely on municipal supply without tracking consumption or managing wastewater.

What Auditors Look For

• Water consumption monitoring — meter readings, bill analysis, per-capita consumption tracking
• Water-efficient fixtures — low-flow taps, dual-flush toilets, sensor-based faucets
• Rainwater harvesting — system existence, functional status, storage capacity, recharge effectiveness
• Wastewater management — STP/ETP operation, treated water reuse, discharge quality compliance
• Landscape irrigation — drip systems, timer-based watering, use of treated wastewater
• Water quality testing — periodic analysis of drinking water and treated wastewater

Typical Observations

• No water meters or consumption tracking — water bills from tanker suppliers not analyzed
• Rainwater harvesting system installed but non-functional (clogged filters, broken pipes, full storage)
• Conventional fixtures throughout — no low-flow aerators or dual-flush toilets
• STP exists but treated water is discharged rather than reused
• Visible leaks in toilets, taps, or irrigation systems not repaired
• No water quality testing records

Severity

Minor to Major — complete absence of water monitoring is typically major. Non-functional RWH or lack of water-efficient fixtures are usually minor.

Root Cause

Water is often treated as an unlimited, low-cost resource. Rainwater harvesting systems are installed for building approval but not maintained. Wastewater treatment is seen as a compliance obligation rather than a resource recovery opportunity.

Practical Fixes

• Quick win (1–2 weeks): Install water meters and start monthly tracking; fix all visible leaks; retrofit aerators on taps (low-cost, high-impact)
• Short-term (1–3 months): Service and restore rainwater harvesting system; replace conventional fixtures with dual-flush toilets and low-flow taps; establish water reduction targets
• Medium-term (3–6 months): Optimize STP for reuse (landscaping, flushing, cooling); install drip irrigation with timer controls; commission water quality testing from accredited lab

Finding #3: Inadequate Waste Segregation

Waste management findings appear in over 70% of first-time green audits. The most common issue is not absence of waste management entirely, but inadequate segregation at source.

What Auditors Look For

• Waste segregation at source — colour-coded bins (wet, dry, e-waste, hazardous) at generation points
• Waste quantification — records of waste generated, by category, over time
• Recycling and composting — rates, systems, vendor partnerships
• E-waste handling — authorized recycler tie-ups, proper storage, disposal records
• Hazardous waste (if applicable) — authorized disposal, manifest tracking, SPCB compliance
• Landfill diversion targets and performance
• Single-use plastic reduction measures

Typical Observations

• Segregation bins exist at collection points but not at generation points (desks, pantry, workshop)
• Bins are colour-coded but staff contaminate them — wet waste in dry bins, recyclables in general waste
• No waste quantification — organization cannot state how much waste it generates or diverts
• E-waste stored in storerooms with no authorized recycler arrangement
• Composting facility installed but non-operational or poorly maintained
• Single-use plastics (cups, bottles, cutlery) still prevalent in cafeteria and pantry areas

Severity

Minor to Major — complete absence of any waste segregation is major. Partial segregation with contamination issues is typically minor.

Root Cause

Waste segregation requires behavioral change — bins alone don't work without training and enforcement. Housekeeping staff may mix segregated waste during collection. No one is accountable for waste performance metrics.

Practical Fixes

• Quick win (1–2 weeks): Place colour-coded bins at every generation point (not just collection points); put clear signage on each bin with pictograms; brief housekeeping staff on segregated collection protocols
• Short-term (1–3 months): Start weekly waste quantification by category; establish authorized e-waste recycler partnership; eliminate single-use plastics from canteen and pantry; launch "waste warrior" awareness campaign
• Medium-term (3–6 months): Set landfill diversion targets (aim 70%+); operationalize or repair composting facility; implement waste-to-resource tracking with monthly reporting; pursue hazardous waste compliance (if applicable)

Finding #4: Missing or Inadequate Documentation

Documentation findings are among the most preventable yet most common. Auditors need evidence — without records, even excellent practices cannot be verified.

What Auditors Look For

• Green/environmental policy — documented, approved by top management, communicated to staff
• Environmental objectives and targets — documented with measurable KPIs
• Monitoring records — energy, water, waste data tracked monthly
• Maintenance records — equipment maintenance logs, HVAC servicing, STP/RWH maintenance
• Training records — attendance sheets, content delivered, frequency
• Compliance records — consents, permits, authorizations (where applicable)
• Review records — management review minutes, internal audit reports

Typical Observations

• No documented green policy or an outdated one from years ago with no review date
• Energy and water consumption tracked informally but not in a structured format
• Maintenance happens but no logs are maintained — "we do it but don't record it"
• Training conducted but no attendance records, topic documentation, or effectiveness evaluation
• No management review of environmental/sustainability performance

Severity

Minor to Major — complete absence of a green policy or any monitoring records is major. Gaps in specific records are usually minor.

Root Cause

Many organizations practice sustainability informally but lack a documentation culture. The attitude of "we do it, we just don't write it down" is common. No one is assigned responsibility for maintaining environmental records.

Practical Fixes

• Quick win (1–2 weeks): Draft and get management to approve a green policy; create simple tracking templates (Excel) for energy, water, and waste data; designate a documentation owner
• Short-term (1–3 months): Backfill 3 months of utility data into tracking templates; establish a maintenance log system (even a register); conduct and document the first management review; create training attendance templates
• Medium-term (3–6 months): Build a document control system with version tracking; conduct and document internal audit; establish an annual review cycle for all policies; digitize records for easy retrieval during audits

Finding #5: No Green Procurement Policy

Green procurement is often the last area organizations address — yet auditors specifically look for evidence that sustainability considerations extend to purchasing decisions.

What Auditors Look For

• Green procurement policy — documented criteria for evaluating suppliers on environmental performance
• Sustainable material sourcing — preference for recycled, eco-labelled, or locally sourced materials
• Supplier environmental evaluation — questionnaire, audit, or minimum criteria
• Packaging reduction — requirements for suppliers to minimize packaging or use recyclable packaging
• Energy-efficient equipment specifications — BEE star ratings, ENERGY STAR specifications in procurement

Typical Observations

• No green procurement policy exists — purchasing decisions based solely on cost and quality
• No criteria for evaluating supplier environmental practices
• Equipment purchased without considering energy efficiency ratings
• Paper procurement does not specify recycled or FSC-certified paper
• Cleaning chemicals selected without considering environmental impact (non-biodegradable, toxic)

Severity

Minor — typically a minor nonconformity or observation, unless the organization has very high material consumption and procurement has significant environmental impact.

Practical Fixes

• Quick win (1–2 weeks): Draft a green procurement policy with basic criteria (energy ratings, recyclability, local sourcing preference); switch to recycled paper and eco-friendly cleaning products
• Short-term (1–3 months): Add environmental criteria to supplier evaluation forms; specify BEE star rating requirements for all electrical equipment; implement a "green preferred" list of approved vendors
• Medium-term (3–6 months): Track green procurement spend as a percentage of total procurement; conduct supplier environmental assessments for top 10 suppliers; include packaging reduction requirements in purchase orders

Finding #6: No Environmental Awareness Training

Sustainability practices require organizational-wide participation. Without awareness and training, even well-designed systems fail due to human behavior.

What Auditors Look For

• Environmental awareness programs for all employees
• Role-specific training for facility staff, procurement, housekeeping
• Training records — frequency, attendance, topics covered
• Awareness communication — posters, emails, intranet content, signage
• Effectiveness evaluation — how the organization measures whether training changed behavior

Typical Observations

• No environmental training conducted in the past 12 months
• Environmental topics not included in employee induction programs
• Staff unable to explain basic waste segregation categories when asked by auditor
• No visible environmental awareness signage in the facility
• Housekeeping staff untrained on segregated waste collection protocols

Severity

Minor to Major — complete absence of any environmental training or awareness program is often a major finding, given its impact on every other sustainability area.

Practical Fixes

• Quick win (1 week): Conduct a 30-minute environmental awareness session for all staff covering waste segregation, energy saving, and water conservation; document it with attendance and content
• Short-term (1–3 months): Add environmental awareness to employee induction; install signage near waste bins, light switches, and water points; conduct role-specific training for housekeeping and facility teams; establish a quarterly training calendar
• Medium-term (3–6 months): Launch a green champion/ambassador program; create an internal newsletter or intranet section on sustainability; implement training effectiveness evaluation (knowledge tests, behavior observation)

Finding #7: Poor Indoor Air Quality Monitoring

Indoor air quality (IAQ) is an increasingly important component of green audits, directly affecting occupant health and productivity.

What Auditors Look For

• Ventilation adequacy — fresh air supply rates, CO2 levels in occupied spaces
• Air quality monitoring — CO2, PM2.5, PM10, VOC measurements
• HVAC filter maintenance — replacement schedules, documentation
• Low-VOC materials — paints, adhesives, furniture, carpets used in the facility
• Smoking policy — designated smoking areas away from air intakes and occupied spaces
• Thermal comfort — temperature and humidity within acceptable ranges

Typical Observations

• No indoor air quality monitoring has ever been conducted
• HVAC filters not replaced on schedule — visible dust accumulation
• CO2 levels in densely occupied rooms exceed 1,000 ppm (indicating inadequate ventilation)
• Recent renovations used conventional paints and adhesives (high VOC content)
• No designated smoking area or smoking area near building air intake

Severity

Minor — typically minor nonconformity or observation. However, significantly elevated pollutant levels or complete absence of HVAC maintenance may be elevated to major if occupant health is at risk.

Practical Fixes

• Quick win (1–2 weeks): Schedule HVAC filter replacement/cleaning; ensure fresh air dampers are open and functional; designate and enforce smoking areas away from air intakes
• Short-term (1–3 months): Commission a baseline IAQ assessment (CO2, PM2.5, VOCs) from a qualified testing agency; specify low-VOC products for all future procurement; improve ventilation in identified problem areas
• Medium-term (3–6 months): Install CO2 sensors in high-density areas linked to HVAC controls; establish an IAQ monitoring program with quarterly checks; integrate IAQ data into environmental management reporting

Finding #8: Biodiversity Neglect

Biodiversity is the most commonly overlooked area in green audits. Many organizations do not consider it relevant to their operations, yet green audit criteria consistently include it.

What Auditors Look For

• Green cover assessment — percentage of site area under vegetation, change over time
• Tree census — number, species, native vs exotic
• Native species preference — use of indigenous plants in landscaping
• Biodiversity preservation — bird feeders, insect habitats, water bodies, wildlife corridors (where applicable)
• Landscaping practices — organic fertilizers, water-efficient irrigation, avoidance of chemical pesticides
• No-development/buffer zones — preservation of existing green areas during construction or expansion

Typical Observations

• No tree census or green cover documentation
• Landscaping uses primarily ornamental exotic species rather than native species
• Chemical pesticides and synthetic fertilizers used extensively
• Green areas reduced during recent construction/expansion without compensatory plantation
• No biodiversity promotion initiatives (bird feeders, butterfly gardens, herb gardens)

Severity

Minor to Observation — biodiversity findings are typically minor nonconformities or observations unless there has been significant habitat destruction without compensation.

Practical Fixes

• Quick win (1–2 weeks): Conduct a tree census and green cover assessment (count trees, measure green area percentage); document existing biodiversity
• Short-term (1–3 months): Develop a native species planting plan; install bird feeders and water stations; switch to organic fertilizers and biopesticides; create a small herb/medicinal garden
• Medium-term (3–6 months): Increase green cover by 5–10% through native species plantation; create a butterfly garden or biodiversity corner; establish a no-chemical zone policy for landscaping; document biodiversity monitoring (bird counts, species observations)

Prevention Strategies: Preparing for Your Green Audit

Pre-Audit Checklist

• Documentation: Ensure all policies are current, approved, and accessible; verify 6–12 months of monitoring data exists for energy, water, and waste
• Physical readiness: Walk the facility as an auditor would — check bins, signage, lighting, leaks, green areas
• Staff preparation: Brief all staff on basic green practices; ensure they can explain waste segregation, energy-saving measures, and the organization's environmental goals
• Records: Organize all training records, maintenance logs, compliance documents, and vendor agreements in one accessible location
• Internal review: Conduct a self-assessment against the audit criteria before the auditor arrives

The 80/20 Rule for Green Audits

In our experience, 80% of common findings can be addressed with 20% of the effort — most fixes are low-cost, practical measures like installing LED lighting, placing waste bins correctly, starting utility tracking, drafting policies, and conducting training sessions. The remaining 20% of findings (renewable energy, advanced water treatment, comprehensive BMS) require larger investments and can be planned over a longer timeline.

The goal of a green audit is not perfection — it's continuous improvement. Auditors want to see that your organization understands its environmental impact, has systems to manage it, and is actively working to improve. Start simple, track consistently, and build from there.

Frequently Asked Questions