Why is Environmental Management Good for your Organisation?
Environmental management is the systematic approach to finding practical ways to reduce negative impacts on the environment. Environmental management involves being aware of the impacts that you have on the environment and how to reduce or manage that impact. This may include:
- Minimising the amount of vegetation cleared for a development
- Reducing energy consumption
- Reducing emissions
- Using water efficiently
- Managing waste
- Reducing negative environmental impacts
Environmental management looks at how certain actions might impact the natural environment and makes commitments on how to avoid, minimise and manage these impacts to be environmentally acceptable.
Businesses may be required to carry out environmental management as part of compliance with environmental approvals, where commitments to certain environmental management measures have been made and those approvals have been granted, on the condition that environmental management is enacted.
Making voluntary commitments to environmental management can include being aware of how your business operations can affect the environment. Whether the business is small or large, there are ways to manage and reduce the impact you have on the environment such as:
- Using water efficiently
- Using sustainable materials
- Utilising sustainable supply chains
- Managing waste appropriately
- Reducing energy consumption
- Reducing emissions
Voluntary commitments to environmental management and overall environmental responsibility for a business are usually captured in an Environmental Management System, which may or may not be accredited in accordance with certain standards, such as ISO 14001.
Why is Environmental Management Good for your Organisation?
Environmental management offers many benefits for the environment, above all; however, there are also positive benefits for businesses, including:
- Reputation – Many people like to support sustainable businesses who care about the environment.
- Cost savings – Reducing energy and water use will save the business money.
- Health and safety – Work health and safety can be improved by reducing or eliminating the use of industrial chemicals.
- Resource recovery – Reusing, reducing and recycling can help to save money for the business.
- Legal – A business needs to meet certain environmental protection laws or be compliant with environmental approvals granted.
What Are the Components of Environmental Management Services?
Environmental management services are performed by consultants with the knowledge and skills to tackle problems related to conservation and sustainable resource use. Environmental management plays an important role in helping communities move towards sustainable futures. Environmental management services help to protect the environment and enhance sustainable values.
Environmental management helps organisations manage their environmental impacts caused by their services or activities. Environmental Management Systems (EMS) and Environmental Management Plans (EMP) capture environmental management commitments, and they can help with a range of environmental management aspects, including:
- Reducing and mitigating environmental impacts
- Managing further environmental impacts, additional to those already identified or approved by regulators
- Minimising loss of biodiversity
- Minimising greenhouse gas emissions through efficient practices
- Conserving energy, water and other natural resources
- Reducing waste, including through recycling where practical
- Provide environmentally sound workplaces and practices
- Comply with Government environmental legislation, regulations, policies and initiatives
What are Environmental Management Systems?
An EMS is a powerful tool to help businesses improve their environmental performance. This is beneficial to both the environment and businesses. An EMS enables organisations to manage environmental issues in a unified and systematic way. Developing an Environemental Management System is a proactive way to manage your business’s environmental risks and shows customers and stakeholders that your organisation is committed to protecting and improving the environment.
The benefits of developing and implementing an EMS include:
- Identification of environmental risks
- Provides opportunities to consider environmentally sustainable actions and procedures
- Financial benefits through efficient use of resources
- Demonstrates a commitment to the environment
- Improves corporate image
- Provides a competitive edge
- Achieves environmental compliance
- Promotes environmentally responsible citizenship
Environmental management is managing the interaction and impact humans have on the environment. Environmental management helps organisations to become aware of their impact on the environment due to their business operations and provides strategies to reduce negative impacts. For more information about environmental management for your business, for project compliance or as a proactive way or optimising environmental responsibility, talk to our friendly staff at Focused Vision Consulting.