Do Environmental Management Systems Improve Performance?
by Susan L.K. Briggs There is an ongoing debate about the value environmental management systems (EMSs) provide to organizations. The debate arises from a lack of comparable, quantifiable data demonstrating companies with a formal EMS produce less environmental emissions, discharges and waste than companies without one. A number of programs, however, have published results showing improvements in environmental performance by companies with an EMS. But there are differing opinions on what constitutes “improved performance.” A parochial view is focused on quantitative reductions in pollutant emissions and discharges, waste generation, natural resource use or other negative environmental impacts. Improvements, however, also can be measured in terms of: • Management system improvement—qualitative and quantitative improvements to management support processessuch as employee training and awareness, compliance assurance processes or corrective/preventive action programs. • Organization reputa
