Realize best management practices with a Sustainability Management System (SMS) or an Environmental Management System (EMS). Management System benefits include improved compliance, integrated systems, and operational efficiency. Management Systems build on what you are already doing, allowing you to improve stakeholder relationships by demonstrating your commitment. It is commonly considered a tool for evolutionary change and is based on the internationally accepted ISO 14001 standard.
As a continual improvement management tool, Management Systems use a Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle. Management Systems can be applied to any business as every organization can benefit from going through this cycle.
Contact Project Azul Verde to begin, improve, or expand your Sustainability Management System (SMS) or Environmental Management System (EMS):
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Identify risks and opportunities, engage stakeholders, and implement action plans, while tracking and reporting progress to maintain momentum
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Enable evolutionary change
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Update to the ISO 14001:2015 standard for EMS
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Begin with this as a simple way to learn the basic Plan-Do-Check-Act principles: Download the EMS Starting Template
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Track resource use and score supplier performance with my tools
About Management Systems:
Plan—Design the Approach to Achieve the Goal
In the “Planning” step, risks and opportunities are identified, and goals are developed to control the risks and maximize the opportunities. Actions and process are drafted to describe how the organization’s goals will be achieved (defining the plan to achieve the goal). Resources and top management commitment are secured to ensure success.
Do—Implement the Plan
The “Do” step is focused on advancing from commitment to action. Defining roles and responsibilities guides implementation activities. Communication and training engages stakeholders. Documentation and training ensure staff with environmental responsibilities know how to fulfill those responsibilities as formalized procedures reduce risk.
Check—Measure Effectiveness and Determine Improvements
In the “Check” step, the changes that result from implementation are monitored and tracked. Progress is compared with the goals and objectives using performance metrics. Lessons learned and areas of improvement are explored.
Act—React and Report
“Act” is the final step in the Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle. Reviewing progress allows decision-makers to correct and refresh the path towards sustainability. Reporting is an important activity, as it keeps stakeholders informed on the status of issues. Information is synthesized to continually improve for the next cycle.
Learn More:
EMS for Sustainable Tourism Presentation at ESTC 2016: Stabler – Environmental Management Systems for Sustainable Tourism 20160204
Experience with Denver’s EMS: Denver Greenprint Action Plan Grows Roots