ISO14 -- Setting the Standard in Environmental Management

An important part of this planning effort is defining what your organization intends to achieve in the environmental area. To achieve your objectives and targets, you need an action plan - also known as an environmental management program.

Your environmental management program should be linked directly to your objectives and targets - that is, the program should describe how the organization will translate its goals and policy commitments into concrete actions so that environmental objectives and targets are achieved.

To ensure its effectiveness, your environmental management program should define:

The responsibilities for achieving goals (who will do it?)

The means for achieving goals (how will they do it?)

Keep in mind that your program should be a dynamic one. For example, consider modifying your program when:

Objectives and targets are modified or added

Relevant legal requirements are introduced or changed

Substantial progress in achieving your objectives and targets has been made

(or has not been made)

Your products, services, processes, or facilities change or other issues arise

Your action plan need not be compiled into a single document. A "road map" to several action plans is an acceptable alternative, as long as the key responsibilities, tactical steps, resource needs and schedules are defined adequately in these other documents.

This program should not be developed in a vacuum - it should be coordinated or integrated with other organizational plans, strategies, and budgets. For example, if you are planning for a major expansion in one of your service operations, then it makes sense to look at the possible environmental issues associated with this operational expansion at the same time.

Step: 5 of 17