Environmental management system
An Environmental Management System (EMS) is a set of processes or practices that enable an organisation to reduce its overall environmental impacts whilst increasing its operating efficiency. It is a framework that enables a company to achieve its environmental goals through a consistent approach. Each organisation should have a system that is tailored to its specific goals and business.
Whilst EMSs are voluntary they demonstrate an explicit commitment to continual environmental improvement. They can also be used to:
- Assist employees understand their responsibility in relation to the environment.
- Ensure that all operations and actions have minimal impacts.
- Monitor environmental performance against a series of targets.
- Assist in identifying opportunities for waste reduction and other measures to reduce operating costs.
The benefits of implementing an EMS are not limited to a reduction in overall environmental impacts. They also include:
- Financial: Reduction in waste which in turn reduces costs, increased profits.
- Productivity: Improved process control, less waste, reduction in raw materials and consumables.
- Sales and marketing: Enhanced products, improved sales through promotion of greener credentials.
- Public relations: Enhanced public image.
- Legal: Management of environmental risk and ensuring legal compliance.
The content of an EMS varies depending on the nature of the business in question. However some key components include:
- Detailed assessment of the business activities, products, systems, processes and services and how they may affect the environment.
- Development of an environmental policy.
- Development of a programme for reducing environmental impacts.
- Clear roles and responsibilities for employees.
- Training and awareness programme for employees.
- Written and documented procedures to control activities with environmental impacts.
- A system for controlling documentation.
- Regular auditing to ensure conformance.
- Formal review by management.
For any organisation wishing to implement an Environmental Management System, there are three options available:
- Development of own in-house system.
- Use the guidelines within the international standard ISO 14001, the EU Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) or the British Standard BS8555.
- Follow the guidelines and pursue formal certification to ISO 14001 or EMAS registration.
Organisations can produce a manual to provide a clear and cohesive guide for all employees regarding their EMS. For more information, see Environmental management procedures manual.
NB From September 2018. Organisations must have migrated their environmental management system to the 2015 of ISO 14001 to receive third party certification.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- BREEAM Environmental management.
- BREEAM Responsible sourcing of materials.
- BS8555.
- Chain of custody.
- Construction environmental management plan.
- Deleterious materials.
- Ecological impact assessment.
- Eco-Management and Audit Scheme EMAS.
- Energy targets.
- Environmental consultant.
- Environmental impact assessment.
- Environmental management procedures manual.
- Environmental modelling.
- Environmental plan.
- ISO 14001.
- Site waste management plan.
- Sustainability.
- Sustainable materials.
- Sustainable urban drainage systems.
- Whole life costs.
Featured articles and news
The 5 elements of seiri, seiton, seiso, seiketsu and shitsuke.
Shading for housing, a design guide
A look back at embedding a new culture of shading.
The Architectural Technology Awards
The AT Awards 2025 are open for entries!
ECA Blueprint for Electrification
The 'mosaic of interconnected challenges' and how to deliver the UK’s Transition to Clean Power.
Grenfell Tower Principal Contractor Award notice
Tower repair and maintenance contractor announced as demolition contractor.
Passivhaus social homes benefit from heat pump service
Sixteen new homes designed and built to achieve Passivhaus constructed in Dumfries & Galloway.
CABE Publishes Results of 2025 Building Control Survey
Concern over lack of understanding of how roles have changed since the introduction of the BSA 2022.
British Architectural Sculpture 1851-1951
A rich heritage of decorative and figurative sculpture. Book review.
A programme to tackle the lack of diversity.
Independent Building Control review panel
Five members of the newly established, Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommended, panel appointed.
Welsh Recharging Electrical Skills Charter progresses
ECA progressing on the ‘asks’ of the Recharging Electrical Skills Charter at the Senedd in Wales.
A brief history from 1890s to 2020s.
CIOB and CORBON combine forces
To elevate professional standards in Nigeria’s construction industry.
Amendment to the GB Energy Bill welcomed by ECA
Move prevents nationally-owned energy company from investing in solar panels produced by modern slavery.
Gregor Harvie argues that AI is state-sanctioned theft of IP.
Experimental AI housing target help for councils
Experimental AI could help councils meet housing targets by digitising records.
BSRIA Occupant Wellbeing survey BOW
Occupant satisfaction and wellbeing tool inc. physical environment, indoor facilities, functionality and accessibility.