This how-to-guide outlines the elements needed to create a consistent Environmental Management System (EMS). An EMS helps your organization reduce its environmental impact and comply with regulations. It is recommended that organizations go through these steps when first establishing an EMS and then repeating them when they pass through subsequent review cycles in the process of striving for continual improvement.

Phase 1: Planning and Preparation

Step 1: Define Your Goals and Secure Leadership Commitment

• Why do you want an EMS? Is it to reduce waste, conserve energy, or comply with regulations?
• Get buy-in from top management. Their support is crucial for a successful EMS.

Step 2: Assemble Your EMS Team

• Form a cross-functional team with representatives from different departments like operations, facilities, and administration.
• Assign an EMS champion to lead the implementation.

Step 3: Conduct a Kick-Off Meeting

• Clearly communicate the goals and purpose of the EMS to the team.
• Define roles and responsibilities for each member.

Step 4: Understand Your Organization's Context

• Consider factors like your industry, location, size, and environmental aspects of your operations.

Step 5: Prepare a Budget and Secure Resources

• Estimate the costs associated with implementing and maintaining the EMS.
• Identify any additional resources you might need, like training or software.

Phase 2: Developing the EMS

Step 6: Establish an Environmental Policy

• This document outlines your organization's commitment to environmental responsibility.
• It should be clear, concise, and signed by senior management.

Step 7: Identify Environmental Aspects and Impacts

• Environmental aspects are elements of your activities, products, or services that can interact with the environment.
• Analyze these aspects to determine their environmental impacts (positive or negative).

Step 8: Determine Compliance Obligations

• Research all environmental regulations applicable to your industry and location.
• Ensure your EMS considers these compliance requirements.

Step 9: Set Environmental Objectives and Targets

• Based on your environmental aspects and impacts, define specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) objectives for improvement.
• Develop targets to track progress towards these objectives.

Step 10: Develop Operational Controls and Monitoring Procedures

• Establish procedures to control your environmental aspects and achieve your set targets.
• Define how you will monitor and measure key environmental performance indicators (KPIs).

Step 11: Document Your EMS

• Create an EMS manual that outlines your environmental policy, procedures, and responsibilities.
• Maintain clear and up-to-date documentation.

Phase 3: Implementation and Maintenance

Step 12: Train Employees

• Train all employees on the EMS, their roles, and environmental best practices.

Step 13: Implement Your EMS

• Put your documented procedures into practice.

Step 14: Conduct Internal Audits

• Regularly assess the effectiveness of your EMS through internal audits.
• Identify areas for improvement and update your plan accordingly.

Step 15: Continual Improvement

• The EMS is a cyclical process. Regularly review your performance, revise your objectives and targets, and strive for continuous environmental improvement.