Transcript The Case for an EMS Powerpoint Presentation

The Case for an
Environmental
Management System
What is an environmental
management system (EMS)?
Part of an organisation’s management system used to
develop and implement its environmental policy
and manage its environmental aspects.
(AS/NZS ISO 14001:2004 cl. 3.8)
Why have an EMS?
 Improve management of environmental impacts
 Set targets to reduce energy use, water use & waste to landfill
 Initiate and maintain procedures to improve efficiencies including:
 Environmentally friendly purchasing procedures
 Preferred business travel option
 Define key responsibilities for achieving targets
 Monitor and measure environmental performance against key
indicators
 Regularly assess progress towards achieving set objectives
 Ensure due diligence and ongoing consideration of legal and other
environmental requirements
Why have an EMS? continued
 Assist with environmental reporting as required by s.516A
of the EPBC Act 1999
 Government policy encourages commonwealth agencies to
implement an EMS (at least one site)
 Contribute to preferred employer status
 Achieve cost savings
 Show leadership, nationally and/or internationally
 Obtain competitive advantage
 May be required by clients, customers and/or regulators
 Build goodwill from customers, employees and
stakeholders
What is AS/NZS ISO 14001:2004?
 An international standard (ISO) for
requirements of an environmental
management system, adopted jointly by
Australia and New Zealand (AS/NZS)
 Used as basis for third party certification of
environmental management systems.
The ISO 14001 model of
continual improvement
Continual
Improvement
Environmental
Policy
Planning
Management
Review
Implementation
& Operation
Checking
Why is management commitment
important?
 Top management responsibilities are
 Endorsing an organisation wide environmental policy
 Developing and communicating firm and ongoing
commitment – leading by example
 Provide or facilitate resources
 Appointment of management representative to ensure
EMS is developed and implemented
 Regular review of the EMS to ensure its continuing
suitability, adequacy and effectiveness.
 Actions by management provide a reflection of the
corporate culture – help to endorse the new culture
Planning for improved environmental
performance
Environmental
Environmental
Management Programme
Management Programme
Target
TargetTarget
Target
Target
Objective
Objective
Policy
Significant
aspects &
impacts
Initial Environmental Review
The main steps toward ISO 14001 EMS certification
6
5
4
3
2
1
Document
Review
Preliminary
Assessment
Surveillance
Certification
(registration)
Certification
Assessment
ReCertification
Assessment
Case Study 1: IP Australia
 Reasons for implementing an EMS?
 Reduce impact on the environment
 Become a socially responsible workplace
 Align with government recommendation
 Respond to staff values.
 Challenges
 Organisational support
 Perceived cost
 administration associated with an EMS
 New tasks of monitoring environmental impacts
 Need for additional resources
Case Study 1: IP Australia
 How were challenges overcome?
 Strong top-down support
 Integration of EMS into strategic plan
 Contracting of NCSI consultants for training &
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



certification
Assistance from the Environmental Management
Committee of high-level staff
Assistance from volunteer environmental champions
Policy endorsed by Director General
Objectives developed using S.M.A.R.T. principles
Feedback from staff encouraged & responded to.
Case Study 1: IP Australia
 Biggest benefits
 Initial ‘quick wins’:
•
•
•
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Adjustment of climate control = energy savings
Staff car pooling
Default duplex printing
Email signatures include reduce printing message
 Improved staff moral
• Improved image as employer of choice
• Improved corporate image to potential clients
Case Study 2:
Australian Antarctic Division
 First operation in Antarctica to be certified to
ISO 14001.
 Operates in a very fragile environment.
 Subject to increasing national and
international scrutiny.
 Much higher environmental risks than the
average government agency.
Case Study 2:
Australian Antarctic Division
 Most significant environmental aspects:
 Waste management, including incineration
 Bulk fuel handling & storage
 Waste water
 Ship and air activities
 Environmental aspect register benefits from
wide consultation throughout organisation—
easy to use, with a high degree of ownership.
 This in turn has resulted in a high degree of
commitment to the EMS from staff.
Case Study 3:
Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade
RG Casey Building
 Responded to original request from
Government to establish an EMS and
achieved certification in June 2006.
 Does not use EMS consultants or
environmental scientists—all done in-house.
 One building of 1000 staff certified by NCSI.
 Aiming for maintaining certification provides
a driver for a thorough EMS.
 Surveillance audits help to maintain focus.
Case Study 3:
Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade
 EMS facilitated by recognising the positive
environmental work already being done.
 Need to understand resistance to change.
 Used corporate culture to establish EMS in
modest steps.
 Encouraged commitment rather than focussing
on breaches.
 Establish credibility with stakeholders
through realistic objectives & targets.
 An EMS Committee facilitates consultation.
Case Study 3:
Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade
 Main initiatives and benefits:
 Reduced waste to landfill.
 Green café—people brought in own mugs,
donations to Greening Australia
 Staff volunteer to plant trees—”they love doing it!”
 EMS mailbox for suggestions
 Reduced power consumption
 Main challenge: rents building (involves landlord’s
agent) Building design provides challenges
 Final messages: Don’t aim for perfection, just continual
improvement. Be realistic.
What resources are available?
 EMS Tool
 EMS Standards: AZ/NZS ISO 14001 & ISO 14004
 Training on EMS auditing, lead auditing, and
internal auditing.
 Consultancy to assist with development of the
EMS.
 Conformity assessment bodies to certify the
EMS to AS/NZS ISO 14001:2004.
Barriers to effective
implementation
 Lack of management support and commitment
 Inadequate resources
 Lack of support from staff
 Poor internal communication and awareness
 Lack of clear responsibilities and authorities
 Lack of EMS training for implementers
 EMS too complex for the organisation
Conclusion
An environmental management system takes time
and commitment from the entire organisation.
Effective running of an EMS will provide ongoing
environmental benefits, cost savings and
contribute to building an attractive work place
culture.