Many industries deal with dangerous activities and toxins. Health of workers are reported publicly. Several environmental management measures are introduced to reduce the impacts and hazards to humans and entire ecosystems.
Studies of Oladinrin ( 2021) show, that drivers for EMS implementation could be grouped into:
* intellectual enhancement strategies,
* documentation and cultural strategies,
* motivation and tracking strategies.
The studies conclude that training and education of relevant stakeholders, tracking compliance levels and businesses acting in compliance with governmental policies are essential.
Many hazardous materials are introduced to the environment via business activities. Air pollution, water pollution, noise, dust, inappropriate waste disposal is continuously reported.
Sometimes the impact of such pollution on the workers can be significant.
The negative impacts lead to development of various mitigation strategies. One of them is adoption of Environmental Management Systems to control the environmental impacts and ensure compliance to regulations. It provides frameworks for eco-management and audit systems.
Developed countries like USA, Germany, Australia, Japan have implemented management systems to control their environments. Approaches to EMS, however, differ from country to country. There are several factors affecting the implementation. In some countries, for example, Nigeria, Honk Kong, Brazil, Slovenia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Portugal, Malaysia, Egypt pro-environmental improvements are proven difficult.
Research shows that implementation of EMS brings number of benefits to the business:
* increased market share,
* improved reputation,
* competitiveness,
* reduction in environmental risks,
* improved environmental performance.
Studies of Oladinrin ( 2021) address the drivers for EMS implementation.
Current practices
Most of the environmental management tools evolve from the Environmental Impact Assessment. This is to control the business action's adverse effects on the environment. It requires environmental assessment at the planning stage of new projects, implementation on the operational stage, auditing and corrective actions as well as the management reviews.
The impacts are considered based on the experience that business has as well as the knowledge of the industry and processes. Both potential and actual impacts must be considered. The assessment is a cost effective environmental management tool. Implementation of EMS encourages environmental sustainability. It is associated with the business long-term growth, innovation and competitiveness.
It provides a systematic documentation process to help organisations to manage the environmental impacts to attain sustainable development, assist in complying with environmental regulations and achieving environmental goals.
The EMS processes incorporate logical steps of inspiration, decision making, assigning EMS implementation team, auditors, consultants, training, system project draft, as well as the certification process.
The drivers
The drivers for implementation of EMS can be internal or external. Collaboration of the stakeholders and assessment of their needs would bring the goals to be defined.
Employees are encouraged to bring "green" ideas to the organisation. Eco-friendly practices are being recognised. Rewards and recognition for pro-environmental behaviour is put in place. Environmental policy is defined and published. Policy is enforced by public awareness. Audits are organised to assess business compliance with the system requirements.
It is true that if the top management is not committed the goals the policies are ineffective. Therefore the commitment of top management must be firmly secured. In-house training programs are organised. The availability of training and access of information requires top management support. This could be achieved through providing relevant facilities, funds and continuous motivation.
Organisational communication is also essential to implement and embrace the EMS. Communication allows to determine current position and the development of EMS manual as well as the implementation of the control process. Teamwork from different business divisions cannot be underestimated. This way we can achieve implementation of eco-friendly practices. Top management, subordinates and society must embrace environmental management initiatives and shared effort. Environmental impact assessments and measures are easier introduced if all are involved.
Intellectual enhancements strategies
From the study, training and education has the highest factor and it is significant to the implementation of EMS. Additionally, employee empowerment gives privilege to the employees to exercise the level of power to improve the organisational performance before consulting of a manager or approval. The consciousness of the environmental impact of the employee activities could devise creative and environmentally friendly means. Employee empowerment helps to stimulate creativity and assists in influencing other colleagues in the organisation.
Top management support also helps intellectual enhancements strategies. Training, provision of learning schemes and empowerment scheme in organisations thrive through commitment and support. The knowledge of the benefits contributes significantly to the EMS implementation.
Teamwork and organisational communication also enhance the strategies in EMS implementation. To achieve this demand and supply of information is necessary, formal employee training, communication and knowledge sharing at the individual and organisational level.
Documentation and cultural strategies
The drivers that enhance the implementation are:
* EMS audits
* availability of ISO documents
* adapting the EMS to business processes
* organisational culture
The availability of the documentation is critical. It furnishes the organisation with strategies to help and review the current practices and allow for actions. Audits allow to determine how the organisation complies with the EMS. The objectives and goals are flexible and allow for establishment of significant environmental impacts through the implementation of all requirements of the EMS.
Adapting the policies and procedures to the business processes have also high importance. Organisational culture allows for defining new values that distinguish one organisation from another.
Motivational and tracking strategies
Recognition and reward for eco-friendly practices could encourage others to do likewise. Efficient structure of the reward and recognition is important. The reward system, however, must be affordable. Tracking of compliance could assist in EMS implementation. Authorities must be put in place for the auditing.
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