The Case for an Environmental

Management System

The Case for an Environmental

Management System

What is an environmental management system (EMS)?

What is an environmental management system (EMS)?

Part of an organisation’s management system used to develop and implement its environmental policy

and manage its environmental aspects.

(AS/NZS ISO 14001:2004 cl. 3.8)

Why have an EMS?Why have an EMS?

Improve management of environmental impacts

Set targets to reduce energy use, water use & waste to landfill

Initiate and maintain procedures to improve efficiencies including:

Environmentally friendly purchasing procedures

Preferred business travel option

Define key responsibilities for achieving targets

Monitor and measure environmental performance against key indicators

Regularly assess progress towards achieving set objectives

Ensure due diligence and ongoing consideration of legal and other environmental requirements

Why have an EMS? continuedWhy have an EMS? continued

Assist with environmental reporting as required by s.516A of the EPBC Act 1999

Government policy encourages commonwealth agencies to implement an EMS (at least one site)

Contribute to preferred employer status

Achieve cost savings

Show leadership, nationally and/or internationally

Obtain competitive advantage

May be required by clients, customers and/or regulators

Build goodwill from customers, employees and stakeholders

What is AS/NZS ISO 14001:2004?What is AS/NZS ISO 14001:2004?

An international standard (ISO) for requirements of an environmental management system, adopted jointly by Australia and New Zealand (AS/NZS)

Used as basis for third party certification of environmental management systems.

EnvironmentalPolicy

Planning

Implementation & Operation

Checking

ManagementReview

ContinualImprovement

The ISO 14001 model of continual improvement

Why is management commitment important?

Why is management commitment important?

Top management responsibilities are

Endorsing an organisation wide environmental policy

Developing and communicating firm and ongoing commitment – leading by example

Provide or facilitate resources

Appointment of management representative to ensure EMS is developed and implemented

Regular review of the EMS to ensure its continuing suitability, adequacy and effectiveness.

Actions by management provide a reflection of the corporate culture – help to endorse the new culture

Planning for improved environmental performance

Planning for improved environmental performance

Objective

Environmental Management Programme

Initial Environmental Review

Policy

TargetTarget

TargetTarget

Objective

Environmental Management Programme

Significant aspects & impacts

Target

Certification

Assessment

Preliminary Assessment

Document Review

Certification (registration)

The main steps toward ISO 14001 EMS certification

ISO 1

4001

Certifi

catio

n

5

4

2

6

3

1

Surveillance

ReCertification Assessment

Case Study 1: IP AustraliaCase Study 1: IP Australia

Reasons for implementing an EMS? Reduce impact on the environment Become a socially responsible workplace Align with government recommendation Respond to staff values.

Challenges Organisational support Perceived cost administration associated with an EMS New tasks of monitoring environmental impacts Need for additional resources

Case Study 1: IP AustraliaCase Study 1: IP Australia

How were challenges overcome? Strong top-down support Integration of EMS into strategic plan Contracting of NCSI consultants for training &

certification Assistance from the Environmental Management

Committee of high-level staff Assistance from volunteer environmental champions Policy endorsed by Director General Objectives developed using S.M.A.R.T. principles Feedback from staff encouraged & responded to.

Case Study 1: IP AustraliaCase Study 1: IP Australia

Biggest benefits Initial ‘quick wins’:

• Adjustment of climate control = energy savings• Staff car pooling • Default duplex printing• Email signatures include reduce printing message

Improved staff moral

• Improved image as employer of choice• Improved corporate image to potential clients

Case Study 2:Australian Antarctic Division

Case Study 2:Australian Antarctic Division

First operation in Antarctica to be certified to ISO 14001.

Operates in a very fragile environment.

Subject to increasing national and international scrutiny.

Much higher environmental risks than the average government agency.

Case Study 2:Australian Antarctic Division

Case Study 2:Australian Antarctic Division

Most significant environmental aspects: Waste management, including incineration Bulk fuel handling & storage Waste water Ship and air activities

Environmental aspect register benefits from wide consultation throughout organisation—easy to use, with a high degree of ownership.

This in turn has resulted in a high degree of commitment to the EMS from staff.

Case Study 3: Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade

RG Casey Building

Case Study 3: Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade

RG Casey Building

Responded to original request from Government to establish an EMS and achieved certification in June 2006.

Does not use EMS consultants or environmental scientists—all done in-house.

One building of 1000 staff certified by NCSI.

Aiming for maintaining certification provides a driver for a thorough EMS.

Surveillance audits help to maintain focus.

Case Study 3: Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade

Case Study 3: Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade

EMS facilitated by recognising the positive environmental work already being done.

Need to understand resistance to change. Used corporate culture to establish EMS in

modest steps. Encouraged commitment rather than focussing

on breaches.

Establish credibility with stakeholders through realistic objectives & targets.

An EMS Committee facilitates consultation.

Case Study 3: Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade

Case Study 3: Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade

Main initiatives and benefits: Reduced waste to landfill. Green café—people brought in own mugs,

donations to Greening Australia Staff volunteer to plant trees—”they love doing it!” EMS mailbox for suggestions Reduced power consumption

Main challenge: rents building (involves landlord’s agent) Building design provides challenges

Final messages: Don’t aim for perfection, just continual improvement. Be realistic.

What resources are available?What resources are available?

EMS Tool

EMS Standards: AZ/NZS ISO 14001 & ISO 14004

Training on EMS auditing, lead auditing, and

internal auditing.

Consultancy to assist with development of the

EMS.

Conformity assessment bodies to certify the

EMS to AS/NZS ISO 14001:2004.

Barriers to effective implementation

Barriers to effective implementation

Lack of management support and commitment

Inadequate resources

Lack of support from staff

Poor internal communication and awareness

Lack of clear responsibilities and authorities

Lack of EMS training for implementers

EMS too complex for the organisation

ConclusionConclusion

An environmental management system takes time

and commitment from the entire organisation.

Effective running of an EMS will provide ongoing

environmental benefits, cost savings and

contribute to building an attractive work place

culture.