The implementation of a good Management system Environmental in companies helps improve organizational performance and business image, as well as reduce internal costs and win new customers.
As a result, in addition to driving sustainable profit, the EMS can improve its environmental impact and help resolve regulatory imbroglios.
At the same time, this system promotes stronger operational control, such as energy savings, through processes aimed at protecting and preserving the global ecosystem and the corporate environment.
Do you want to know how to use the Environmental Management System and combine this resource with the growing interest of the market in sustainable companies? So keep reading this article.
What is an environmental management system?
Also known by the acronym “SGA”, the management environment can be classified as a set of rules, strategies and procedures that allow the company to monitor and manage the environmental impacts of its activities, products or services.
In addition, the application of this system improves the company's image, reduces expenses and the risk of environmental accidents, improves production and administrative processes of energy and material resources.
Regulated by the standard ISO 14001., from the Brazilian Association of Technical Standards (ABNT), operational and implementation requirements can meet government regulations and identify opportunities to improve an organization's environmental performance based on its own individual goals and objectives.
In summary, this framework helps an organization achieve its environmental goals – whether they are aimed at reducing or eliminating negative environmental impacts or even increasing positive effects – by continually reviewing, evaluating and improving its environmental performance.
Does every company need to implement an environmental management system?
In 2019, a study conducted by the North American research agency, Union + Webster, published by the Federation of Industries of the State of Paraná (Fiep), indicated that 87% of the Brazilian population prefers to buy products and services from sustainable companies.
The same survey also revealed that 70% of respondents don't mind if they have to pay a little extra for it.
Social and environmental transformation has already become a competitive advantage for companies (whether they are large or little) that adopted the necessary measures to comply with this new requirement. Reduction and recycling of waste, substitution of the use of paper for electronic documents and reduction in energy consumption are some standards for your business to be recognized as more responsible.
In this sense, an Environmental Management System stands out, both for helping companies to reduce their impact on the ecosystem, and for ensuring that business activities do not challenge any environmental legislation or regulation.
Just as organizations have systems to manage finances, people and security, it is equally important to have resources to manage environmental issues. This leads to continuous improvement and faster achievement of sustainability goals, which in turn contributes to a positive brand image.
What are the benefits of an environmental management system?
We list below the main advantages of the SGA:
- reduction of environmental incidents and negative repercussions;
- improvement in reputation and corporate image;
- maintaining better relationships with regulatory bodies;
- competitive business advantages and marketing;
- improving regulatory performance;
- reduces the risk of fines for non-compliance with environmental regulations;
- more motivated, focused, safe and aware employees;
- new opportunities to attract more customers, investors and shareholders;
- qualitative and quantitative improvements in management support processes, such as employee training and awareness, compliance assurance processes, or corrective/preventive action programs;
- reduction of pollutant and waste emissions;
- sustainable profit increase.
It is worth noting that the fact that one of the main focuses of the EMS is energy efficiency and waste management can also help to optimize operational efficiency, thus reducing costs.
Employees must also be educated on all environmental issues relevant to their careers, which will enable them to understand the importance of environmental awareness as a whole and individual behavior.
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What are the main features of an EMS?
Find out about the top five stages of a Management System Environmental in companies:
Commitment and Policy
Since the EMS is a set of policies, practices and technical and administrative procedures in search of the best environmental performance, it is necessary to establish an internal policy for the respective dealings. The document will describe the company's commitments to the environment.
Planning
Subsequently, the organization must be clear about all the different aspects of its environmental impact, such as energy consumption, expenditure on inputs such as paper and effects on the local community.
In addition, it is necessary to foresee the legal requirements, objectives and goals established in the environmental policy. Consider, for example, environmental action programs to meet specific objectives, such as environmental emergencies.
Implementation
Implementing the EMS requires assigning responsibilities to individuals or groups. Therefore, training must be provided in the strategic management, but also documented.
Verification and corrective actions
A company monitors its operations to assess whether objectives and targets are being met. Thus, the company can, when necessary, take corrective measures.
Review
Managers should review the EMS and take action if changes to environmental policy, objectives and/or targets are required, in order to optimize the effectiveness of the system. The review phase creates a cycle of continuous improvement for a company.
How to use the Environmental Management System in companies
Adopt the use of a Environmental management system It may seem like too complex a task for small and medium-sized companies, but it's not quite like that. As long as it is carried out in stages, it is an advantageous work and fully possible to be performed.
With this in mind, we explain below how to put into practice this feature that encourages an organization to continually improve its environmental performance, environmental and sustainability goals for quality initiatives. Just keep reading here:
Define the company's goals for the elaboration of the EMS
The first step in planning the Environmental Management System is to define why you are looking to implement this feature in your company. Are you trying to lessen negative impacts on the environment? Do you want to increase the positive effects of the measures already adopted? Do you want to settle with the responsible bodies? Write down your goals and refer to them often as you go through planning.
Make a mapping of the executed processes
Identify the aspects and impacts generated in each of all the activities that comprise your business and how they affect the environment and the community.
Show the benefits to those responsible for the company
Obviously, one of the most critical steps for the success of running a business is to count on the support and commitment of the board in the development and implementation of the EMS. Management must first understand the benefits of this system and what it will take to implement it.
To develop this understanding, explain the strengths and limitations of your current approach and how these limitations may affect the organization's financial, environmental performance and reputation.
Form a frontline implementation team
A team with representatives from key management functions (such as engineering, finance, human resources, production and/or service) can identify and assess existing problems, opportunities and processes.
Schedule a kick-off meeting
Once the team has been selected, hold a meeting that will serve as a kick-off to discuss the organization's goals in implementing an EMS, the steps that need to be taken, and how each team member will contribute to the project.
Based on the listed activities and perceived impacts, create control methods, monitoring and technological solutions to minimize these impacts.
Conduct a preliminary review
It is important to carry out a preliminary review of your current compliance and that of other environmental programs/systems and compare them with the criteria of your EMS, such as the ISO 14001 standard, which helps in the identification and management of environmental risks associated with the internal processes of the activity developed by organization.
Prepare budgets and timelines to stay on target and focus
Based on the results of the preliminary review, prepare an action plan and include a budget for the envisaged strategies. Specify what key actions are needed, who will be responsible, what resources are needed for execution, and what deadline for completing the work.
Involve employees in processes
Employees are an important source of knowledge on environmental, health and safety issues relevant to their respective areas of work and the effectiveness of current processes and procedures. Training them and including them in the EMS process will make them more confident and prepared to sustain change.
Monitor and keep the team updated on progress
Be sure to regularly monitor your progress against project goals and plans and be transparent about your evolution to support the continuity of the EMS and leverage improvements to improve your company's reputation.
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