Environmental Management Systems
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is becoming increasingly important as both businesses and consumers are becoming more concerned about the environmental credentials of the businesses that they work with or purchase goods from. Running an EMS can provide a business with a structured way for it to manage its environmental impacts and to improve its environmental performance. Read more about Environmental Management Systems.
Why should a business consider running an Envrionmental Management System?
Historically environmental issues have been seen by businesses as being legal compliance issues. However, these days businesses are recognising that environmental issues are no longer merely an issue of legal compliance and that they need to be managed. Environmental management not only makes sense for the environment, but it can also improve a businesses
Bottom line
Carbon footprint
Corporate Social Responsibility
Business continuity (learn more about business continuity)
What is an EMS?
An EMS gives a business a structured tool with which it can manage all of its environmental impacts including
Resource use e.g. energy and water
Supply chain
Legal compliance e.g. discharge consents/emissions
Waste management
Transportation
How do you go about setting up an EMS?
Businesses of any size in whatever market can set up an EMS.
When establishing an EMS it is important that there is senior management committment to continually improving environmental performance. Senior management commitment can often be achieved through developing an environmental policy for the business.
Envirowise has developed good advice for anyone setting up an EMS.
Business Link in the East of England has also developed good advice for setting up an EMS
EMS Standards
Once a business has set up an EMS it can be accredited to various national and international standards which are verified by the external audit process. Three of these standards include:
EMS Case Studies
Suffolk County Council (ISO14001 accredited) - Case study of Suffolk County Council's environmental management system with an introduction from the British Standards Institute detailing what EMS are, why they are of a benefit to organisations, the types of EMS models available and the processes involved in setting up an EMS. (Webinar presentation).
Kirklees Metropolitan Council - A case study of achieving EMAS