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What is an EMS?

An Environmental Management System (EMS) is a set of management processes and procedures that enhance an organization's ability to improve its environmental performance, prevent pollution and meet and move beyond compliance requirements. An EMS integrates environmental management into the ongoing management cycles of the business. It provides organizations with a structured process for meeting environmental goals by identifying and reducing a broad range of environmental impacts from their operations.

A formal environmental management system builds the structure for organizational success. It provides clear responsibilities for all members of the organization, allowing both the employees and the organization to be more successful.

Until recently, environmental management systems have been used extensively in private industry, but are now being adopted by a growing number of local governments.

National imperatives for waste minimization and pollution prevention have fostered new initiatives that integrate environmental issues into business decisions. Environmental Management Systems (EMS), most notably ISO 14001, were developed primarily for industry use, but public sector organizations have been taking advantage of their value as well.

Elements of an EMS

An EMS consists of several basic elements that together form a system for the effective management of environmental performance. These elements provide structure for

• Setting and reviewing an environmental policy
• Determining legal requirements and analyzing environmental impacts, both regulated and not regulated
• Determining the most significant impacts and setting corresponding objectives and targets for their improvement
• Establishing programs and projects to achieve the objectives and targets
• Monitoring and measuring key operational criteria and progress toward goals
• Preventive and corrective action
• Reviews and audits to ensure the system is effective
• Planning and training and involvement of all employees according to their need
• Documenting the system and keeping records of actions for later confirmation
• Communicating environmental issues both inside and outside the organization

Benefits of an EMS

Benefits expected from an EMS include improved overall environmental performance (including areas not currently regulated), expanded pollution prevention opportunities, improved compliance, enhanced employee stewardship, reduced costs and improved relations with regulatory agencies.

An environmental management system can also provide the framework for an organization to effectively utilize other initiatives such as The Natural Step to work toward sustainability.

Some or all of the following benefits are to be expected.

• Resource savings
• More effective pollution prevention programs
• Reduced costs of regulatory compliance and insurance
• Reduced environmental liability and risk
• Increased operational consistency and efficiency
• Improved environmental compliance
• Improved overall environmental performance
• Improved environmental awareness, involvement and competency throughout the organization
• Enhanced employee stewardship and morale
• Better relationships and communication with regulators and communities
• Improved public image
• Better loan ratings in some cases
• A framework for continual improvement

What they don't do

An EMS establishes a system of actions to control and reduce environmental impacts. It establishes procedures that should ensure compliance with regulations, but it is not intended to guarantee the compliance.