Search SORTED
The Government Position
EMS is heavily advocated at the National level by UK Government, with all National Government Departments having stringent environmental management targets imposed upon them under the Sustainable Development in Government Estates (SDiGE) initiative.
Furthermore, in 2005, the Department for the Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) issued a position statement on EMS¹, which advocates the use of EMS for helping both private businesses and public sector organisations reduce their environmental impacts.
The statement incorporates five key messages:
Hence, the overall benefits of implementing an EMS (particularly one that is formally recognised) include, but are not limited to:
_____________________________________________________________________
Furthermore, in 2005, the Department for the Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) issued a position statement on EMS¹, which advocates the use of EMS for helping both private businesses and public sector organisations reduce their environmental impacts.
The statement incorporates five key messages:
- Organisations should use a robust and credible EMS that is appropriate for improving their environmental and financial performance.
- Organisations implementing an EMS should use a national or international standard or scheme
- An EMS should be audited by an independent certifier accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS).
- An EMS should help improve environmental and financial performance through the supply chain.
- An EMS that demonstrates good management of legislative compliance should be used to help achieve regulatory benefits such as reduced fees and charges.
Hence, the overall benefits of implementing an EMS (particularly one that is formally recognised) include, but are not limited to:
- Improving an organisation’s bottom line performance. For example, cost savings can be made through cutting energy and fuel consumption as a direct result of managing emissions to air.
- To respond to supply chain pressure. Today many companies are facing pressure within their supply chains to become more environmentally responsible. The need for formal EMS is only expected to grow as they are an effective, transparent and accountable means by which companies can demonstrate their environmental commitment and performance, as well as managing compliance.
- To boost competitiveness. For example, becoming more environmentally aware may open up new market opportunities Environmental Technologies and Services for example.
- To improve public image particularly of those more potentially polluting organisations.
- To manage risk and ensure compliance with environmental legislation and regulations, which will reduce prosecutions and fines as a result of pollution.
- To improve health and safety on site due to improved housekeeping and employee awareness of environmental issues and how the impact of their own working practices.
_____________________________________________________________________
