Knowledge Centre
What is an Environmental Policy?
An environmental policy is a statement of intent, establishing the principles of action for an organisation. It sets the level of environmental responsibility and performance required of the organisation, against which all subsequent actions will be judged. The policy should be appropriate to the environmental impacts of the organisation's activities, products and services (within the defined scope of the environmental management system) and should guide the setting of objectives and targets. (ISO 14004, 2004)
Setting an environmental policy is voluntary, and the responsibility for setting and implementing it rests with the organisation's top management.
An environmental policy is also the starting point and the overarching document for implementing an Environmental Management System (EMS).
In developing its environmental policy, an organisation should consider:
a) its mission, vision, core values and beliefs;
b) coordination with other organisational policies (e.g. quality, occupational health and safety);
c) the requirements of, and communication with, interested parties;
d) guiding principles;
e) specific local or regional conditions;
f) its commitments to prevention of pollution and continual improvement;
g) its commitment to comply with legal requirements and other requirements to which the organization
subscribes.
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Useful external linksENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION:
Environment Agency - the Environmental Regulator in England and Wales: www.environment-agency.gov.uk/ Netregs - legal compliance and environmental topics guidance: The National Archives - official site for UK legislation:
GUIDANCE ON ENVIRONMENTAL TOPICS:
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) - UK government department responsible for policy and regulations on the environment, food and rural affairs: Institute for Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) - professional membership body for the environment: Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) - help businesses and individuals on reducing waste, develop sustainable products and use resources in an efficient way: National Industrial Symbiosis Programme (NISP) - One business's waste can be another's raw materials: Business Link - Practical advice and support for businesses (specifically environmental and efficiency issues): www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/layer?topicId=1079068363 Global Reporting Initiative - guidance for sustainability reporting: Carbon Trust - specialist support to business to help cut carbon emissions: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) - promoting innovation, enterprise and science for businesses:
INTERACTIVE RESOURCES AND TOOLS:
Magic - web-based interactive map service to bring together environmental information:
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