ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT POLICY & OBJECTIVES

Environmental Management Policy and Objectives

This document describes how you intend to manage and control your environmental impacts in accordance with your environmental management policy. Similarly, your organization’s environmental management policy may detail your values and what you hope to achieve through the process.

Statements like this should be formalised and supported by those who oversee the organization at the highest level. The environmental policy should be used to inform the environmental objective. It must specify the specific goals that the organization wants to achieve and maintain. They should be attainable but not too vague, such that they cannot be achieved. As part of achieving the standard, they need to strive for continuous improvement.

Here are some examples of environmental objectives:

• Minimise raw material use
• Minimize the unneeded use of paper
• Reduce carbon footprint by encouraging carpooling in the workplace
• Use recycled plastic where attainable
• Correctly dispose of workplace waste

Reduce chemical spills and gas leaks in the workplace

In order to earn ISO 14001 certification, your organization’s environmental policy must meet specific requirements in the standard.

These are the requirements:

• Policy must be relevant for the organization (i.e., related to the products and/or services of the organization).
• Provides a structure for setting objectives/targets.
• Aims to reduce pollution and protect the environment. (Note: the policy does not need to specify how this will be accomplished).
• Demonstrates a commitment to meeting compliance requirements.
• An environmental management system that is committed to continuous improvement, to enhance environmental performance.

Documentation of the environmental management policy, its communication within the organization, and the availability of it to stakeholders or interested parties are all essential.

What is the main goal of an Environmental Management Policy?

Environmental policies are intended to elicit a commitment from workers and organizations in regard to issues related to the environment (for example, laws and regulations).

Human impacts on the environment will be addressed in an environmental policy.