ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, a new normal for Climate resilient economies and companies

An Environmental Management System (EMS) is a framework that helps an organization achieve its environmental goals through consistent review, evaluation, and improvement of its environmental performance. The EMS itself does not dictate a level of environmental performance that must be achieved; each organization’s EMS is tailored to the its own individual objectives and targets. 

An EMS helps an organization address its regulatory demands in a systematic and cost-effective manner. This proactive approach can help reduce the risk of non-compliance and improve health and safety practices for employees and the public. An EMS can also help address non-regulated issues, such as energy conservation, and can promote stronger operational control and employee stewardship. 

Basic Elements of an EMS include the following:

• Reviewing the organization’s environmental goals;

• Analyzing its environmental aspects & impacts and legal requirements;

• Setting environmental objectives and targets to reduce environmental impacts and comply with legal requirements;

• Establishing programs to meet these objectives and targets;

• Monitoring and measuring progress in achieving the objectives;

• Ensuring employees’ environmental awareness and competence; and,

• Reviewing progress of the EMS and making improvements.

• Identifying potential environmental emergencies and determining preparedness plans to cope up with these emergencies. 

Benefits of EMS

• Enhanced compliance – EMS minimizes the environmental liabilities through well-designed mitigation procedures.

• Resource conservation – It maximizes the efficient use of resources.

• Pollution prevention – It reduces waste generation by proper planning.

• Enhanced image – It demonstrates a well-accepted corporate image.

• Enhanced employee morale – It motivates awareness of environmental concern among all levels of employees.

• Positive workplace culture perspective – It ensures that organizations maintain compliance with government environmental regulations.

• Improved environmental performance – It increases better understanding of environmental impacts of business activities.

• Finally, a good work environment and quality workforce increase skill and efficiency resulting in higher productivity at less cost and higher profits.