Riskology

Reducing your organisation’s environmental footprint is now a priority, and it all starts with good policy, whether internally-driven, in response to your legal obligations, or both. For your policy to be effective, you’ll need to keep and maintain accurate records of environmental impacts and sustainable practices so you can measure outcomes and map out improvements.

The good news is, that with the right software, improving, reporting and monitoring environmental outcomes in your organisation can be easier. Read on to find out more.

Today, there is a growing expectation among consumers that the businesses they buy from are environmentally conscious and focus on sustainability. We are seeing more and more claims on labels and websites stating that products and services are sustainable, responsibly sourced and carbon neutral, to promote the company’s aim to minimise their environmental footprint and give customers peace of mind that their money isn’t causing the environment unnecessary harm. 

Increasingly, Australian and international legislation and standards are requiring organisations to implement and adhere to an environmental management system. We are also seeing a push from within organisations to promote efficient practices that reduce energy use and minimise waste as a way to save money as the cost of resources and energy continues to rise. 

What is an ISO 14001 environmental management system? 

The current international standard for designing and implementing an environmental management system (EMS) is ISO 14001. The purpose of an EMS is to provide organisations with a structured system that can be used to manage and improve the environmental impact of their activities, products and services. 

An ISO 14001 EMS provides a step-by-step approach for businesses to follow. It is based on the Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle and covers the following: 

• Develop a policy that maps out the commitments to the environment

• Appoint the person (or persons) who will coordinate the policy 

• Identify how the business currently interacts with the environment

• Identify the actual and potential environmental impacts

• Identify the relevant legal requirements 

• Establish environmental objectives, targets and programs

• Monitor and measure your progress in achieving the objectives

• Review the system and environmental performance

• Identify any potential areas for improvement.

Why does an EMS matter to your business? 

When done well, an EMS will clearly map out how you aim to improve the environmental performance of your company and provide a structured path that will help you reach your goals. Having an EMS in place demonstrates to clients, staff, stakeholders and the wider community that your organisation is serious about minimising their carbon footprint and has a plan and system to achieve this across all aspects of the business. 

The ultimate goal with an EMS is to meet and exceed your company’ environmental objectives and targets, and continuously refine and develop them to further improve.

How can software help you achieve environmental compliance goals? 

While your EMS lays the foundation of your sustainability focus and aims, the right software is essential to help you achieve your compliance goals. With purpose built software such as Riskware’s Environmental Management Module you can keep all your EMS methodology, monitoring and reporting in one place. This allows you to easily see the organisation’s key aims, track progress and review results.

A robust software solution is particularly important if you wish to apply for ISO 14001 certification, as you will need to document your EMS and everything associated with it (e.g. review, analysis, training and implementation) in a secure, organised and accessible way. 

Get your organisation on the right path today.

With interest and awareness around the environmental impacts of organisations at an all time high, having an EMS and strong policies around minimising your environmental impact and carbon footprint is now critical.

If you’d like advice on how our Environmental Management Module could be the right fit for you, getting in touch with our team on 03 9918 0050 or register for a free trial today!