Environmental Management System

Factors to consider when developing an EMS

An Environmental Management System (EMS) entails a framework that helps an organization improve environmental performance and its operations. An EMS is a continual cycle of planning, implementing, reviewing and improving the processes and actions that an organization undertakes to meet its environmental obligations (Schaltegger, Burritt & Petersen, 2017). These processes and actions include waste management and energy consumption. It is also defined as a framework that helps an organization achieve its environmental goals through identifying consistent review, evaluation and improvement of its environmental performance (Welford, 2016). Therefore, an EMS is an important asset to the operations of an organization.

Environmental management systems of vary from one organization to the other. However, all EMS in organizations have their foundation derived from the international organization for standardization (ISO) specifically the ISO 14001 standard which was developed in 1996 (Welford, 2016). The ISO 14001 framework was formulated on the plan-do-check-act methodology. Therefore, the components of an EMS framework basing on the ISO 14001 include a continuous process of an Environmental policy, planning, implementation and operation, checking and corrective action and management review phases respectively (Schaltegger et al., 2017). Additionally, an EMS is not a legal requirement instead it is a voluntary set of management standards which organizations are encouraged to adopt in their operations by environmental protection agencies (Welford, 2016). Thus, there is no specific standards for the level of environmental performance to be achieved by the organization.

Reasons for implementation

There are various reasons as to why an environmental management system is implemented in an organization. The reason for implementation is as follows:

 Prevents adverse environmental impacts like the exposure of pollutants in the environment caused by the organizational activities.

 Mitigate adverse effects of environmental conditions in organizations. The EMS acts as a method to reduce the harmful effects of pollution that occur as a result of the activities being undertaken by the organization.

 Assist in compliance with environment regulations. EMS are used as a tool for compliance with organizational and national policies by being set in line with the goals and objectives of an organization.

 Improve environmental performance. Environmental performance is achieved through adhering to policies and regulations that protect environment from destruction.

 Achieve financial and operational benefits. Benefits can only be realized when an organization adheres to its policies which