Getting Ready - Phase I

Building a Business Case

Implementation of EMS can improve an organization’s environmental performance.  But no two organizations are alike and the benefits of an EMS will differ significantly.  What benefits can your organization expect from adopting an EMS?  It is important to determine your objectives, planned benefits, and challenges before commencing the implementation process.  EMS implementation is a considerable undertaking that should not be assumed for superficial reasons.  It will require focus, resources, time and commitment from all involved.  Thus it is essential that your organization create a “business case” for understanding why it wants or needs to implement an EMS.

There are many reasons an organization chooses to implement an EMS.  Some organizations want greater assurance in maintaining regulatory compliance or see EMS as helping them remain competitive with private industry.  Others would like to display a greater attentiveness to environmental issues, often following an incident that came to the public’s attention.  EMS has been described as an opportunity to improve internal and external communications within an organization and also a way to streamline environmental management and regulatory responsibilities. Whatever the reasons, all should serve to create a desire shared by top management and all members to become and be recognized as an environmentally responsible entity.  The recognition desired is for an achievement that goes beyond the commitment to maintain compliance with legal requirements.

 Why do organizations want to be recognized as environmentally responsible- even when it means going beyond the requirements of the law?  Mostly because they will see some gains and benefits for themselves in the process.  Although the road to reaping these benefits is sometimes a challenging one and the benefits are seemingly intangible, they can often be quantified in monetary or time value and provide much meaning for the organization.

 Organizations committed to EMS have seen numerous benefits during the course of implementation.  Many find that they can make significant operational improvements, such as greatly reducing operating costs, increasing efficiencies and lessening risk in the workplace.  Organizations also find a heightened awareness of the environmental importance and impact of the activities surrounding the facility at every level.  EMS implementation is a great opportunity to build employee morale and change the organizational culture.  Some also note an improved relationship with state regulatory agencies.  And many entities adopt an EMS in order to improve their public image.

  

Reasons for Implementing an EMS may include:

• Developing an environmental management structure that is effective and responsive to
  your organizational needs        
• Making operational improvements        
• Changing the operational culture  
  • EMS is a framework for bringing about change
• Improving public image  
  • Increases public satisfaction with service  
  • Increases value to political leadership of community
• Improved relationship with regulatory bodies        
• Enhance your ability to meet your regulatory requirements         
• Greater employee awareness and commitment to environmental performance and the overall workplace

Each organization must clearly articulate what it sees as its own benefits from implementing an EMS.  An organization and its members can easily become discouraged if the advantages and benefits expected from the EMS are not kept in sight.  It needs to be clear to virtually everyone in the organization what benefits will accrue from implementation.  This means communication and the time and trouble it takes to ‘send the message home’ to all members is well worth your while.  The wiser, and less costly, approach is to do this up-front in the implementation process and before a roadblock cements itself in your path.

Next - Selecting a Fenceline