Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
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Environmental programme: the environmental programme sets out the means
by which the environmental policy is to be implemented and the environmental
objectives and targets achieved. It indicates who is responsible for what and
includes strategies for measuring and improving environmental performance.
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Environmental management system: this is the implementation stage. Respon-
sibility for this stage may be that of a dedicated environmental manager, most
likely supported by a team of 'environmental champions', depending upon com-
pany size. Appropriate staff training and effective communication are central to
the successful implementation of an EMS (IWM, 1998).
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Environmental management system audit: an EMS audit provides an ongoing
check of environmental performance. It determines whether or not the environ-
mental policy is being adhered to and the extent to which the objectives and tar-
gets have been met. It also verifies compliance with relevant legislation. Further-
more, it includes advisory information for the company indicating how further
improvements in environmental performance can be made. EMS audits must
be repeated periodically, typically every one to three years.
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Environmental reporting: the findings of an EMS audit should be documented
and made available to staff so that the recommendations and advice can be imple-
mented. In some cases, companies publish a separate environmental statement
detailing their environmental policy, objectives, targets and performance (see fol-
lowing section on 'Formalized standards for environmental management'). Cer-
tainly, in the UK there is growing pressure, from the government, the European
Commission (EC) and other sources, for businesses to publish reports of their
environmental performance to enable stakeholders to assess the level of environ-
mental responsibility, and so that companies can give an indication of their envi-
ronmental liabilities (DETR, 2000; ENDS, 2001a).
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Management review: as for any management system, the effectiveness of the EMS
should be subject to a management review in order to assess whether the system
and procedures in place are appropriate and sufficient. A management review gives
the opportunity for any weaknesses detected by the audit to be addressed and
any necessary improvements to be made on a regular basis. It also ensures that
the commitment to continual improvement is being upheld.
Formalized standards for environmental management
There are currently two formally recognized standards for EMS: the European
EMAS regulation and the internationally recognized ISO 14001.
EMAS
The EC Eco-management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) was introduced in April
1995. The scheme was established to improve the quality of environmental manage-
ment within European businesses and, in so doing, to help them to gain a competi-
tive advantage. A voluntary scheme, EMAS is aimed at industrial sites in the EU,
although in the UK, local authority sites can also obtain the standard. It is quite pre-
scriptive regarding issues to be covered by the initial environmental review and the
audit, and requires companies to publish regular performance reports which, it is
argued, pushes organizations to meet their targets (ENDS, 2000).
