This document discusses environmental management systems (EMS). It defines an EMS as a system and processes that allow an organization to reduce environmental impacts and increase efficiency. The basic elements of an EMS are reviewing environmental goals, analyzing impacts and legal requirements, setting objectives and targets, establishing programs to meet them, monitoring progress, ensuring employee awareness and competence, and reviewing/improving the system. An effective EMS follows the "Plan-Do-Check-Act" cycle of planning environmental objectives, implementing them, evaluating performance, and taking corrective actions. Benefits include improved compliance, pollution prevention, and enhanced public image, while costs include staff time and potential consulting/training. Examples of EMS certifications mentioned are ISO 14

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Module 5
Starting Point towards eco-innovation

2. M 5.4.1 Environmental Management Systems

3. Learning Outcomes
The learner will be able to actively take part in the implementation of EMS.
He/She is able to introduce Eco-Labels.

4. Definition
An environmental management system (EMS) is
"a system and database which integrates procedures and processes for training of
personnel, monitoring, summarizing, and reporting of specialized environmental
performance information to internal and external stakeholders of a firm".
or
An Environmental Management System (EMS) is
a set of processes and practices that enable an organization to reduce its environmental
impacts and increase its operating efficiency.
definition: EPA; US Environmental Protection Agency

5. The management-process

6. The “Plan-do-check-act” cycle
Like many other management systems,
environmental management is structured
according to the
“Plan-do-check-act” cycle.

7. Basic EMS
An EMS helps an organization
 to address its regulatory demands in a systematic and cost-effective
manner.
 This proactive approach can help reduce the risk of non-compliance and
improve health and safety practices for employees and the public.
 An EMS can also help address non-regulated issues and can promote
stronger operational control and employee stewardship

8. Basic elements of an EMS
 Reviewing the organization's environmental goals;
 Analyzing its environmental impacts and legal requirements;
 Setting environmental objectives and targets to reduce environmental impacts and
comply with legal requirements;
 Establishing programs to meet these objectives and targets;
 Monitoring and measuring progress in achieving the objectives;
 Ensuring employees' environmental awareness and competence; and,
 Reviewing progress of the EMS and making improvements

9. The steps of an EMS
An EMS encourages an organization to continuously improve its environmental performance. The
system follows a repeating cycle.
0. The organization first commits to an environmental policy, then
1. uses its policy as a basis for establishing a plan, which sets objectives and targets for improving
environmental performance. “Plan”
2. The next step is implementation. “Do”
3. After that, the organization evaluates its environmental performance to see whether the objectives
and targets are being met. “Check”
4. If targets are not being met, corrective action is taken. “Act”
0. The results of this evaluation are then reviewed to see if the EMS is working. Management revisits
the environmental policy and sets new targets in a revised plan.
The company then implements the revised plan. The cycle repeats, and continuous improvement
occurs.

10. Costs and Benefits of an EMS
 Internal
- Staff/manager time
- Other employee time
 External
- Potential consulting assistance
- Outside training of personnel
 Benefits
- Improved environmental performance
- Enhanced compliance
- Pollution prevention
- Resource conservation
- Increased efficiency/reduced costs

11. Costs and Benefits of an EMS
 Additional Benefits
 Enhanced employee morale
 Enhanced image with public, regulators, lenders, investors
 Employee awareness of environmental issues and responsibilities

12. Examples of an EMS
ISO 14001 certification in Environmental Management
EMAS validation
ECOPROFIT

13. Eco-Labelling
"Ecolabelling" is a voluntary method of environmental performance
certification and labelling that is practiced around the world. An ecolabel
identifies products or services proven environmentally preferable overall,
within a specific product or service category.
Exercise: make a short desktop research and find Eco-Labels, suitable for
companies in the hospitality industry!

14. Source:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jx8UwZFVhHM

15. Project web-page: http://eco-mode-project.eu/
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