Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Reduction in environmental damage per unit of business output requires busi-
ness organizations to move beyond the regulatory compliance strategies that have
traditionally dominated corporate responses to the environment. In essence, there is
a need to devise commercially efficient and environmentally effective solutions to
the particular environmental challenges faced by each organization. This, in turn,
requires a systematic approach to environmental issues, which allows for the:
•
identification and prioritization of environmental liabilities;
•
derivation of environmental policy objectives and more specific targets in the
light of the strengths and weakness identified above;
•
allocation of appropriate levels of human, financial and technical resources to
achieve policy targets;
•
development of accountable management structures to ensure the most effective
use of allocated resources;
•
review of performance and appropriate modification to the policy and processes
outlined above.
These priorities, which form the basis of an embryonic environmental management
system, have been adopted by a number of airports and airlines wishing to limit envi-
ronmental liabilities and exploit the commercial advantages to be derived from a pro-
active environmental stance. Exactly how environmental management systems help
build this capacity for environmental improvement is reviewed in the following section.
E
NVIRONMENTAL
MANAGEMENT
SYSTEMS
An environmental management system (EMS) is a tool that potentially enables an orga-
nization to effectively control the impact of its operations upon the environment in an
efficient and cost-effective manner. EMS is a structured approach to improving envi-
ronmental performance, where the rate of progression and extent of improvement are
determined by the individual company (CTC, 2000). A major benefit of EMS is the
contribution it can make in ensuring that a company complies with environmental leg-
islation, thereby avoiding any associated fines, prosecution or bad publicity. An effec-
tive system allows a company to prioritize its responses to such legislation and assess
its means of achieving further environmental improvements. Associated with this is
a multitude of other benefits, including scope for reducing costs; increased effi-
ciency and profitability; enhanced public image; and greater competitive advantage.
Furthermore, since companies are increasingly subjected to stakeholder pressure in
order to operate in an environmentally and socially responsible manner, the imple-
mentation of an EMS is an ideal way of demonstrating such a commitment. It should
be noted, however, that while EMS essentially creates the potential for environmen-
tal improvement, it does not guarantee that environmental improvements will take
place. It is recognized that there is a danger that organizations may use certification
as a display of their commitment to environmental protection without actually requir-
ing any major improvements to take place (Pringle et al, 1998). In other words, the
user determines the effectiveness of EMS as a tool for controlling environmental
impacts.
