Introduction - Objectives & Targets and Environmental Management Programs (EMPs) (Establishing Goals and Roadmaps for Achieving and Improving Environmental Management)

Let's review a few basic terms before we walk through the steps of establishing objectives and targets for your utility.

Environmental Objective: The goal your facility establishes to improve its environmental performance. Example: Reduce air emissions generated from the burning of diesel fuels.

Environmental Target: A measurable performance requirement that arises from your objective. Example: Reduce sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, and carbon dioxide emissions from the burning of diesel fuels by 50% from 2002 levels.

Environmental Management Program: A structured program with a set of specific identifiable actions (an "action plan") providing the direction for EMS objectives and targets. Your EMP should assign tasks, resources, responsibilities, and timeframes for achieving your objectives and targets.

Performance Indicator: A measurement tool that can be used to evaluate and measure environmental performance in relation to a specific target. Examples include: measuring the emissions of sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, and carbon dioxide per year from established Baselines in order to check the progress in meeting your target of 50% reduction from current levels. Performance indicators can be adjusted to meet specific management needs or as necessary to ensure progress toward reaching specific environmental targets.

We will continually utilize these terms as we step through establishing measurable environmental programs for your wastewater utility.