From Policy to Practice: Understanding Environmental Management Systems

Changing the way we live on a global scale is a tall order – but it’s essential for conserving the quality of life of literally billions of people worldwide.

Yes, climate action can feel inherently monolithic, which is why frameworks and goal-setting initiatives like the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and even government incentives like the Victorian Solar Rebates are vital for encouraging participation in this shared goal. Because climate action inherently requires a collective commitment.

The issue is that corporations have always had a pretty tricky time classifying themselves and defining their social responsibilities. And prompting industry regulatory changes just takes too long. The key, economic analysts assert, is prompting consumers to make companies care.

This is why more consumers and business partners alike are actively scrutinising companies for environmental trust signals like ISO 14001 (Environmental Management Systems) Certification. What is ISO 14001 and Environmental Management Systems? We’ll be answering precisely these questions below.

What is an Environmental Management System (or EMS)?

When it comes to transitioning from environmental policy to eco-friendly practices, corporations can naturally expect to experience a little trial and error along the way. But for corporations who require faster results or are looking to implement sustainable practices to support their own profitability, adopting a systematic approach to eco change is undeniably going to make those changes easier to accommodate.

That’s where Environmental Management Systems come into play. Also referred to as EMSs, Environmental Management Systems are a term that refer to any kind of dynamic, whole systems approach to organisational management that is designed to prioritise environmental monitoring and performance.

An EMS consists of many different components and documentation, ranging from company-wide environmental policies to processes and workflow documentation that’s specific to individual departments. All of these separate processes come together to create an overarching system – the EMS.

How an EMS can support environmental policies and practices

Because EMS solutions are so multi-faceted, they naturally require full commitment from all members of an organisation. This means that the successful implementation of an EMS must involve leadership management and the integration of changes from the top down.

Of course, leadership involvement can have its own obstacles, especially in small businesses where business leaders are already busy enough. Using the frameworks outlined in the ISO (International Organisation of Standards) 14001 Standard and the wider ISO 14000 family of standards, however, business owners can establish an EMS that’s not only ISO compliant, but also set up for ongoing success.

So in a nutshell, the ISO 14001 Standard outlines in full detail what an organisation would need in order to set up an EMS from the ground up. This includes full outlines of documentation (i.e. policies, practices, procedures, staff profiles, monitoring and reporting plans, etc.), and an implementation plan to ensure these documents are visible to all relevant staff and stakeholders, and updated regularly to ensure the EMS stays as efficient and effective as possible.

How to attain ISO 14001 Certification

So what’s the benefit of being ISO compliant? Well, as the ISO Standards are internationally recognised, ISO 14001 Certification is a globally relevant eco trust signal for any organisation. This means that the investment in your EMS and ISO 14001 Certification can actually provide a pretty decent return in the form of being able to qualify and gain tender contracts that your organisation otherwise wouldn’t have been eligible to apply for.

Alongside additional business, ISO 14001 Certification may even provide your organisation with access to new partnerships with other green suppliers, helping you gain exclusive access to greener, more cost-effective materials and streamlining your own carbon footprint even further. And all without having to sacrifice your profits and operational output.

Best of all is that ISO Certification is actually simple enough to attain, thanks to the extensive detail provided in the ISO 14001 Standard as well as the wider ISO 14000 family of standards. All you really need to get the ball rolling on your journey to Certification is a keen understanding of the ISO 14001 framework and all the boxes you’ll need to check.

This is where ISO consultancy firms can offer some much-needed support. With ISO professionals, your organisation can maintain access to professionals who are well-versed in your relevant standard, and can provide expert assistance throughout the development and implementation of your EMS.

Even post-Certification, ISO consultants can continue to offer support in navigating ongoing improvements to your EMS, ensuring your environmental policies, practices, and monitoring and reporting routines continue to target your organisation’s most pressing ESG (environmental, social, governance) and ecological goals.

Investing in an EMS is an investment in the future

With the 2030 deadline for the Sustainable Development Goals looming closer, and Australia still striving to do our part in reaching emissions targets year on year, it’s safe to say that climate action has become a top priority for most Australians both across our personal and professional lives. Even our local council has made an ongoing effort to communicate and collaborate directly with residents surrounding their climate action initiatives.

But even if we’ve done our part by attending community events, installing solar PV solutions on our rooftops and swapping out our family gas guzzler for a cleaner, hybrid or fully electric car, there are still the overwhelming climate risks produced by Australian industries. Environmental Management Systems help thoroughly address these risks and close the emissions gap between consumer action and corporate responsibility.

So if you’re a business owner or even a professional employed within any of the high emissions industries we’ve outlined above, then maybe it’s time to have a frank conversation with your higher ups and other staff and stakeholders about the environmental, economic, and social benefits of investing in a fully compliant environmental management system.