Environmental Management Systems

Environmental issues have come to the forefront in recent years with greater awareness amongst legislators, insurers, financiers, shareholders, customers, employees and neighbours. Concern for the environment has forced the international community to look at ways of reducing the impact on the environment to ensure it is protected for future generations.

An Environmental Management System (EMS) is a structured and documented system to manage a business’s environmental performance and responsibilities. An EMS is not only concerned with the end product or service, but also with production processes and how these are managed and controlled.

In the new ISO14001:2015 standard, the full life cycle perspective needs to be considered from suppliers to design, operation and end-of-life disposal. It can cover a particular project, office or a complete organisation and even extend to the supply chain.

Why have Environmental Management Systems?

Benefits to your organisation include:

• Financial savings: can be achieved through greater raw material and fuel efficiency, reduction of waste volumes and reduction of regulatory fees
• Improved relationships with regulators: through high-level commitment to pollution prevention and environmental protection
• Greater control of environmental risks and liabilities: through improved understanding and communication of environmental impacts
• An effective management system gives an organisation the means to achieve all its legal compliance aims and avoid liability and potential litigation
• Work-winning opportunities: particularly for prequalification and tender documents
• Improved profile of the company: through positive public relations
• Improved staff morale: allowing employees to input into the development and ownership of the system increases their awareness of environmental issues and the legislation and their capacity to have a positive impact on the environment
• Adding value to existing management systems.

Implementation of Environmental Management Systems promotes a responsible approach to environmental management. It can help an organisation to manage its environmental aspects and their associated impacts, enabling improved performance from its existing business practices and efficient use of energy and natural resources.

For more advice and making sure you meet your Legal Requirements, do not hesitate to get in touch with C-Link Partner, 4see.

About Paul Heming

Paul was a Quantity Surveyor who gained 10 years experience of managing £200 million worth of flagship UK projects, including 20 Fenchurch Street and Battersea Power Station. In 2015, Paul founded C-Link with the intention of sharing his expertise of managing major projects with the SME market.