Measuring the effectiveness of Environmental Management Systems

Measuring the Effectiveness of Environmental Management Systems: Phase 1
Whilst research and evaluation of the above programmes has been on
an ad-hoc basis, there have been some positive outcomes in relation to
specific projects accumulating environmental improvements and indicating
compliance with environmental legislation. This compares to less than 400
registrations to the EMAS standard within the same period. There is evidence
that levels of ISO 14001 uptake are stabilising in the UK, however significant
growth in uptake in all standards have been seen in Spain and Italy.
To conclude :
Whilst desk top analysis of research would indicate strong evidence that EMS
has a positive outcome in terms of improved environmental performance,
the research is inconclusive in terms of legislative compliance. There is also
not enough evidence to support the measurement of the effectiveness of the
EMS in terms of its’ type (e.g. EMAS, ISO 14001 etc), particularly in relation to
the collation of data in a local setting.
The findings indicate the need for the detailed study into 1000 Northern
Ireland organisations* and an evaluation of the data for organisations with
accredited EMS, non accredited EMS and no systems in place. Validation of
that data against regulator and certification body records would also be a
valuable exercise.
* This research has been carried out in conjunction with this desk top study.
EMS Research
The last decade has seen a plethora of research studies into EMS with
a number considering their effectiveness in relation to compliance and
improvements. These are summarised below:
International
Findings
National
Findings
Northern Irish
Findings
4
Survey Indicative of legal
compliance?
EMAS Ever
Remas
MEPI and follow up study
ISO 14001 - a National Study in Austria
SME-enviroment Survey 2007
EMS and company Performance
STEM
BITES
EASS
Building Blocks
www.ni-environment.gov.uk
Indicative of improved
Environmental Performance?