Environmental Policies
It is, of course, good to recycle your office paper or switch off unnecessary lights, but it is even better to include environmental concerns into your planning and management decisions, for wider future effects. There are three clear benefits:
- All evidence shows that environmental management systems save money
- Customers further up the supply chain may be demanding an environment policy, or other environmental information
- Environmental management is good for public relations
What is a management system?
A "management system" refers to what an organization does to manage its processes, or activities. In a very small organization, there is probably no "system", as such, just "our way of doing things", and "our way" is probably not written down, but all in the manager's or owner's head. The larger the organization, and the more people involved, the more the likelihood that there are some written procedures, instructions, forms or records. (Source: British Standards Institution (BSI))
For businesses in the UK, there are two systems of environment management systems which can be independently certified or accredited. These are:
EMAS - The Eco-management and audit scheme (European Standard)
ISO 14001 - The International Organization for Standardization scheme (International Standard)
The British Standards Institution administers the ISO14001 scheme in the UK. For further information, visit the website or telephone: 0208 996 9001
The Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment administers the EMAS scheme in the UK. For further information, visit the website or telephone: 01522 540069.
Envirowise has a free telephone helpline for advice (0800 585794), as well as free information covering environmental management for a range of different business sectors.
INEM (International Network for Environmental Management) is a non-profit organisation which aims to help companies improve their environmental and economic performance. This web site has very helpful definitions, checklists and downloadable tools specifically to help small and medium-sized businesses carry out environmental management.
The DEFRA Sustainable Development Factsheets has information on the government's Sustainable Development Strategy, including what it means for businesses, and what actions businesses are taking.
Environmental policies and reporting
An Environmental Policy is a set of fundamental principles and goals which helps a company to put its environmental commitment into practice. It is the foundation upon which improvement of environmental performance and an environmental management system (EMS) can be built. (Source: INEM)
A policy is effectively a statement of commitment, including an assessment of environmental impacts. A policy needs to backed up by an Action Plan, which specifies how the policy will be implemented, with targets, dates, and a named person responsible for delivering it. See the step-by-step guide to "Increase Efficiency - Increase Profit" for help with preparing an Action Plan.
Environmental Reporting is specifically the process of informing relevant organisations and/or the public about your company's environmental performance or effects. There are many sources of information on environmental reporting - this is a brief selection of some of the useful ones.
Environmental Reporting These are DEFRA guidelines, and contain clear, helpful practical advice for all types and sizes of businesses.
Writing an Environmental Policy This is a useful step-by-step guide produced by Envirowise.
Environmental Report/Statement Check-list This is a check-list, prepared by the International Network for Environmental Management (INEM), indicating the necessary or appropriate information to include in an environmental report.
