voluntary environmental management for smes: alternatives models for iso 14001 adoption lisa...
TRANSCRIPT
Voluntary Environmental Management for SMEs:Alternatives Models for ISO 14001 Adoption
Lisa GreenwoodEnvironmental Management Leadership Symposium VII
May 2, 2011
Outline
• Background– SMEs– ISO 14001 – what and why?
• Conformity assessment options• Alternative Models• Future Research• Questions
Background• SMEs: smaller footprints BUT comprise > 95%
of employer firms– Significant aggregate impact– Large share of industrial pollution, water and
energy consumption– Present an opportunity to reduce global
environmental burden
Background• Voluntary Environmental Programs– Globalization + public pressure voluntary
environmental programs,
EMS
• Environmental Management Systems– Better management better environmental performance– ISO 14001: most prevalent – Can ISO 14001 be useful for SMEs?
ISO 14001 – What and Why?• International environmental
management system standard– EMS specification standard– voluntary or integrated in policy
• Systematic approach to managing environmental impacts – Focused on continual improvement –
Deming model
• Typically involves certification of conformity by an independent third partyFunctional purpose: - Systematic control of adverse environmental impact
- Achievement of objectives and targets
Source: EPA/Glover-Stapleton
Applied purpose: - signal to external stakeholders that a firm is “Green”
ISO 14001 – Effective?
• Not always conclusive, no clear consensus• Performance varies considerably among adopters
– Variables include motivations/drivers; commitment, available resources, EMS maturity, etc.
• U.S. –based research suggests at least modest improvements for adopters– Reduced pollutant releases– Reduced Energy use– Increased recycling
ISO 14001 – Effective for SMEs?
• ISO is very conscious of low uptake by SMEs– Strategic SME task force– Alternative standard – ISO 14005– Guidance materials aimed at SMEs
• Intended for use by any type/size organization…..
• Presents specific challenges and potential barriers for SMEs
SMEs – Costs
• Do costs outweigh benefits?– additional staff /manpower needs– internal education and training– external consulting– internal auditing – environmental control measures– third party certification reviews and audits
SMEs - Resources
• Technical, human resource constraints• limited environmental management capabilities– Weak resource and management capacity– Lack of EMS expertise, technical skills, knowledge
base
Conformity Assessment
Depends on:• Customer and regulator requirements• Consumer expectations• Resources and cost• Needs of the organization
Self-Declaration
Internal verification
Third-Party Certification
Independent verification
Second-Party Verification
Verification by interested party
Verification by external party
Independence
LOW HIGH
AMEMs?
• Alternative Models for Environmental Management
• Primary Types:– EMS “lite” – Phased EMS– Joint EMS/Group Certification– Mentor approach
AMEMsAlternative Models Cost? EM
Capability?Option to Certify?
EMS “light” approach –
YES* NO NO**
Phased EMS approach –
NO NO YES
Joint/Group approach – YES YES YES
Mentor Approach YES YES YES
Key Point: - Effectiveness is not dependent on Certification
Conclusions
• ISO 14001 certification– may not be appropriate for most SMEs
• AMEMs – Potentially more flexible, cost-effective – Credible, 2nd party process utilization– Can be applied with certification if desired– Focus for SMEs should be on Joint EMS and
Mentoring options
Questions?