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069
UNIT 4
ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
Unit Outline
Environment management systems enable businesses to minimise and avoid
environment damage, whilst maintaining and increasing profitability.
This unit contains four sections:
Section 1
An introduction to environment management systems (EMS)
This section will define EMS, outline its origins and discuss the benefits of
implementing it.
Section 2
Environment management systems
Developing and implementing EMS.
The approach is based on the EMS specifications of ISO 14001. Examples of good
practice are included to demonstrate theory in practice.
EMS is discussed in four stages:
EMS Stage 1:
EMS Stage 2:
EMS Stage 3:
Assign environmental responsibility
Conduct the environment status review
Develop the environment policy
Establish environment objectives and targets
Implement the environment management programme
This involves:
• Reducing water use;
• Reducing energy use;
• Reducing waste output;
• Purchasing environmentally-preferable products;
• Lowering emissions;
• Improving indoor air quality;
• Reusing waste water;
• Reducing noise;
• Internal communication, delegation and training;
• Communicating environment performance to guests;
• Monitoring and documenting environment performance.
EMS Stage 4:
Conduct the EMS audit
Report on environment performance