|
Integrating Sustainable Development into an EMS
Sustainability has been an emerging concept in
the global environmental arena during the past decade, but the idea has
only recently begun to be seriously discussed here in the United States.
The information contained in the PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) “2002
Sustainability Survey Report” published in August 2002, provides the first
snapshot of this subject relative to corporate America. There are several
definitions as to what sustainability is, but the World Commission on
Environment may have stated it most succinctly: “providing for the needs
of the present generation while not compromising the ability of future
generations to meet their needs”. The concept of sustainability actually
encompasses far more than just environmental issues, it also considers the
affect business may have on economic and social conditions. For the
purpose of this article however, the focus will be on how sustainable
development can be integrated into an Environmental Management System
(EMS).
The PWC Report indicated
that 88% of survey respondents claimed to be pursuing an EMS on their road
to sustainability. Clearly, there is a strong connection between
organizations that have or are developing an EMS and seek to operate their
business in a sustainable manner. If you consider the ISO 14001 EMS
model, there are several elements of that standard that can be linked
directly toward sustainable operating principles. This provides a very
tangible opportunity to merge sustainability issues into a proven,
systematic approach to environmental management.
First and foremost, the
identification of environmental aspects and impacts could take on a global
perspective and consider the generation of energy, the use of water and
other natural resources. Many companies have found that typical issues
such as emissions to various environmental media are now under effective
control based on nearly 30 years of regulatory activity in this area.
Today, those American companies that have made a diligent effort to comply
with the myriad of regulations may find that their most significant
impacts to the environment may actually be in sustainability issues.
Objectives and targets focused on these aspects can lead to reductions in
use or improvement in efficiency in the utilities used to operate a
company or the materials used to manufacture products. This can yield
positive results to both the bottom line of the business (reduced cost of
operation) and in sustainability. Another ISO element that can be related
to sustainability is in monitoring and measurement. By creating
procedures to accurately track the use of utilities and raw materials,
companies can determine an accurate baseline and establish goals to
improve this area. One of the more significant findings of the PWC Report
is that 90% of United States companies committing to sustainability are
motivated to do so in order to improve their reputation. One can assume
in this scenario that communication of this commitment is paramount to
enhancement of the public image an organization may have. The element of
communication with employees and the public of EMS related issues required
by ISO 14001 could leverage the opportunity to share the sustainability
efforts an organization may be pursuing.
One company who is making
a substantial effort in this area is Philips Electronics. This
Netherlands based company has established a reporting requirement for all
divisions worldwide on sustainability issues. Data is transmitted over a
web-based system on a semiannual basis. The data collected is
incorporated into the Philips Annual Environmental Report, and is thereby
communicated to employees and any external interested parties. In
addition, the information is also used to establish long-term improvement
targets for each division of the company. In order to verify the validity
of the reporting process, Philips utilizes third party auditors who
examine a representative sample of reporting entities and investigate the
specifics of how data is collected and identify any weaknesses to the
procedures. This extra effort will add credibility to the data reported
to the public, and will help drive continual improvement in the reporting
process.
It is still too early in
the game to predict whether the concept of sustainability will take root
in American business. The majority of companies (101 out of 140 PWC
Survey respondents) are Fortune 1000 companies. As a whole, small to
medium United States based companies have not been as quick to accept ISO
14001 EMS and sustainable ideals, as have their European and Asian
counterparts. The recent news stories of corporate corruption at high
levels of American business may actually help to spur an increase in
companies pledging to sustainable ideals. It may come to pass that those
companies seeking to improve their overall reputation with the public and
shareholders will help to drive a new morality in business ethics that
supports sustainability.
|
