EMS

All institutions have an impact* on the environment and should attempt to operate in a sustainable manner. Environmental management systems are the most logical and effective way of doing this.

Environmental management systems are based on the Shewart and Deming cycle of continual improvement (Fig below) and are similar to systems used for quality management.

Firstly, you review your institution and plan how it can be improved. Next you develop procedures to implement the plan. Once the system has been implemented it is checked to see if it is functioning effectively. Finally, any recommendations for improvement are implemented. The cycle then starts again so that the system is continually improved and refined to accommodate changing circumstances.

An EMS will help you to identify and reduce your institution's impacts on the environment. It will also help you to set and achieve objectives and targets for environmental improvement.

EMS Standards

There are a number of regional, national, European and international EMS standards. Some are guidance standards, which explain how to develop an EMS (e.g. BS 8555:2003).

Others are specification standards, where the EMS is examined by external auditors to check that it meets the specified standard required (e.g. Eco-Management and Audit Scheme [EMAS] and BS EN ISO 14001:2004).

Specification standards are more prestigious as they give external verification of the quality of your EMS.

Implementing an EMS is the most systematic and effective way for an institution to improve its environmental performance. For further information about joining the scheme please click here.

* An environmental impact is defined in the international EMS standard ISO 14001 as: "any change to the environment, whether adverse or beneficial, wholly or partially resulting from an organisation's environmental aspects" Environmental aspects are defined as an: "element of an organisation's activities or products or services that can interact with the environment".