What Exactly Is an Environmental Management System (EMS)?
An environmental management system is a framework that assists a corporation in meeting its environmental objectives. According to the International Organization for Standardization, it assists organisations in “identifying, managing, monitoring, and controlling” their environmental challenges in a comprehensive manner. The implementation of an EMS necessitates a continuous examination, assessment, and improvement of environmental performance.
Each organization’s EMS is customised to the needs of the entity that uses it. Each EMS is unique, although many take into account difficulties such as:
- Environmental pollution
- Waste disposal
- Climate change adaptation and mitigation
- Resource utilisation
- Contamination of soil
- Discharge of wastewater
- Ecosystem degradation
- Decreased biodiversity
An EMS should also strive for sustainable development, which necessitates a balance between the environment, society, and economy. Sustainable development addresses current requirements without jeopardising the potential to meet future needs. As part of its EMS, an organisation may also examine environmental transparency and accountability.
Organizations that are ISO 14001 certified must evaluate all environmental issues that are relevant to their operations. An EMS system gives a methodical strategy to achieve this.
Implementing an Environmental Management System (EMS) can assist a company in:
- Prevent or reduce negative environmental effects
- Prevent and reduce the harmful consequences of environmental conditions on the organisation.
- Comply with all regulatory, statutory, and compliance standards.
- Boost its environmental performance.
- Take a life-cycle approach to its products and services to avoid negative environmental consequences spreading to other areas of the life-cycle.
- Benefit financially and operationally from increased environmental performance
- Communicate environmental information to stakeholders in an effective manner.
Overview of ISO 14001
The leading standard for environmental management systems is ISO 14001:2015. This International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard specifies the requirements for environmental management systems that businesses can use to achieve their environmental objectives. Organizations can use the standard to regulate or influence all environmental aspects of their activities, products, and services. It enables them to handle their environmental duties in a methodical and policy-compliant manner.
While ISO 14001:2015 describes environmental management system requirements, it does not incorporate particular environmental performance metrics.
This worldwide standard can be used by any organisation, regardless of size or industry. This covers for-profit, non-profit, and government organisations.