Environmental Management Systems

Environmental Management Systems

LECTURE - 1

Environmental Management Systems

Contents for today. Handout discussion Project discussion Introduction to EMS Introduction Why EMS? What is EMS EMS & Government Regulation Benefits of EMS Environmental Laws & Regulations

Environmental Management Systems

Introduction
Throughout the history of mankind man has destroyed or damaged the natural resources
Affecting the future availability of natural resources biodiversity in global environment

We must find the new ways of development to ensure that it doesnt degrade the environment Beneficial change is that which leads to the mutually reinforcing goals of
economic growth environmental protection social equity

Environmental Management Systems

Introduction
The main threat to environment is from pollution caused by industrial activities Many countries formulated and enforced stringent regulations on the emission of pollutants
Air pollutants Water pollutants Disposal of solid waste

Due to the increasing risk of environmental legislative penalties

the role of environmental management is becoming increasingly important

Environmental Management Systems

Introduction
A series of enacted laws such as were enacted in different countries to preserve the environment for current and future generations
the Clean Water act the Clean Air act the safe Drinking Water Act the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act the Superfund Act

Environmental Management Systems

Why EMS
A regulatory approach does not necessarily produce the best environmental results The cost to business may be out of proportions to the associated benefits To be successful, businesses have to follow
the environmental management concepts develop product offer service offerings that satisfy the environmental needs and wants of consumers more effectively than competitors

Environmental Management Systems

Why EMS
Environmental management is a complex risk, which incorporates many interrelating parts that interface with
Consumers market place actions of competitors

Every company needs an environmental management plan

to help examine environmental risk to ensure that a successful environmental management systems is installed to minimize this risk to create a competitive advantage

A company with an effective EMS would be more likely to approach this new product development task differently

Environmental Management Systems

Environmental Management Systems (EMS)

Management Systems
All coming together to ensure that the company objectives and targets are met

An environmental management system

addresses the needs of a broad range of interested parties the evolving needs of society for environmental protection

It is a set of management processes and procedures that allows an organization

to analyze, control and reduce the environmental impact of

its activities products and services

operate with greater efficiency and control

Environmental Management Systems

Environmental Management Systems (EMS)

An EMS is appropriate for all kinds of organizations of varying sizes in public and private sectors It encourages an organization to continuously improve its environmental performance An EMS helps organizations address its regulatory demands in a systematic and cost-effective manner An EMS can also help to address non regulated-issues, such as
energy conservation promote stronger operational control employee stewardship

Environmental Management Systems

Environmental Management Systems (EMS)

The ISO 14001 definition: The overall management system that includes
organizational structure planning activities responsibilities practices procedures processes and resources

for developing, implementing, achieving, reviewing and maintaining the environmental policy.

Environmental Management Systems

EMS & Government Regulations

An EMS does not set performance requirements
that is, it does not require that air emissions for example, be held below a certain numerical level, nor does it prescribe limits for wastewater discharges

An EMS sets up a management system that ensures that certain activities are undertaken
at the correct times or frequency documented and reviewed

An EMS achieves environmental improvement through better management of those activities that affect the environment

Environmental Management Systems

EMS Benefits
An EMS provides tools to help manage
both your organizations compliance and environmental impacts efficiently and effectively to improve environmental stewardship across the organization

Participants from both EMS initiatives for Government Entities report the following benefits from implementing an EMS:
improved ability to meet compliance requirements Increased operational efficiency and reduced costs Improved environmental awareness, involvement and competency throughout the organization Better communication about environmental issues and outside the organization Better relationship with regulators

Environmental Management Systems

Environmental Laws and Regulations

The process of enacting law, developing regulations that articulate those laws, and enforcing the regulations varies from country to country The mandate of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is to
set environmental standards for all plants in India lay down ambient standards coordinate the activities of the State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)

The implementation of environmental laws and their enforcement, however, are decentralized, and the responsibility of the SPCBs

Environmental Management Systems

Environmental Laws and Regulations

In the Constitution of India it is the duty of the state
to protect and improve the environment to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country

Department of Environment was established in India in 1980 to ensure a healthy environment for the country This later became the Ministry of Environment and Forests in 1985 The two main pollution control statutes in India are
the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act of 1974 the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, which came into being in 1981

SPCBs have the legal authority to conduct periodic inspections of plants to check

Environmental Management Systems

Environmental Laws and Regulations

Some of these inspections are also programmed in response to public request and litigation SPCBs have the power to close non-complaint factories or cut-off their water and electricity by administrative orders In USA statutes passed by congress and approved by the president are the primary sources of federal environmental law Most federal environmental statutes give the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
primary responsibility for enforcement allow EPA to delegates its responsibilities to the states