A study in Sweden noted a link between the sustainability element of corporate social responsibility and an organization’s EMS. Sustainability performance measurement can be used as an environmental objective in an EMS.
(Sebhatu, S. B. and Enquist, B., “ISO 14001 as a Driving Force for Sustainable Development and Value Creation,” The TQM Magazine, Vol. 9, No. 5, 2007, pp. 468-482)
A survey evaluating the development of global environmental and social reporting found a shift from purely environmental reporting to a more integrated approach that takes into account stakeholder values and concerns. However, although sustainability reporting has largely grown out of environmental reporting, one of the weaker areas that the survey identified was the disclosure of global environmental performance data.
(Line, M., et al., “The Development of Global Environmental and Social Reporting,” Corporate Environmental Strategy, Vol. 9, No. 1, 2002, pp. 69-78)
Promising growth in EMS certification is evident as the number of EMS certificates, regions, and sectors continues to expand. With environmental issues constantly discussed in the media, businesses and government agencies can no longer afford to be anything but good environmental stewards. By helping to maintain compliance, reduce adverse effects, increase productivity and efficiency, achieve corporate goals, and demonstrate sustainability and social responsibility, an EMS is a proven environmental management tool. Organizations around the world are realizing the many direct and indirect benefits of implementing an EMS as well as its utility in managing the ever-widening breadth of today’s environmental concerns.
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