What is Environmental Management System? Explain its importance.
Discuss elements of EMS.
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Environmental management system (EMS) refers to the management of an organization's environmental programs in a comprehensive, systematic, planned and documented manner. It includes the organisational structure, planning and resources for developing, implementing and maintaining policy for environmental protection.
An Environmental Management System (EMS):
- Serves as a tool to improve environmental performance.
- Provides a systematic way of managing an organization’s environmental affairs.
- Is the aspect of the organization’s overall management structure that addresses immediate and long-term impacts of its products, services and processes on the environment.
- Gives order and consistency for organizations to address environmental concerns through the allocation of resources, assignment of responsibility and ongoing evaluation of practices, procedures and processes.
- Focuses on continual improvement of the system.
An Environment Management System, or EMS, is a comprehensive approach to managing environmental issues, integrating environment-oriented thinking into every aspect of business management. An EMS ensures environmental considerations are a priority, along with other concerns such as costs, product quality, investments, PR productivity and strategic planning.
An EMS generally makes a positive impact on a company's bottom line. It increases efficiency and focuses on customer needs and marketplace conditions, improving both the company's financial and environmental performance. By using an EMS to convert environmental problems into commercial opportunities, companies usually become more competitive.
An Environmental Management System (EMS) is a globally embraced organizational management practice that allows an organization to strategically address its environmental issues and well as related health and