Environmental Management System (EMS) - A Tool For the Holistic Improvement of Environmental Quality, 2000 Environmental Conference Proceedings

P. G. Broman, J. Holm

Today’s environmental issues are more multifaceted and disperse than earlier. This means that one needs a more holistic approach, which includes assessing the environmental impact throughout the entire product life cycle. But instead of thinking in terms of environmental impacts we increasingly think in terms of environmental quality. To organize environmental quality work requires some kind of EMS. This has been obvious to Stora Enso for a long time and is the purpose for developing our own systems. However, we found it natural to implement ISO 14001 and/or EMAS (Eco Management and Audit Scheme) as soon as it was made possible and feasible. Actually, we were the first in our business to receive an EMAS registration. Today the group has approximately 65 units certified according to ISO 14001 and/or EMAS or approximately 72% of our production is manufactured in units that are certified. So far, one can see that the implementation of EMSs within the group has resulted in an improved environmental quality. For instance, the EMS has increased the executive environmental awareness as well as the involvement and engagement of all employees. EMAS statements have enhanced the credibility when communicating to our stakeholders. EMSs have also generated cost savings, such as reduced cost for energy and waste disposal.