- Scope and Number of the Environmental Objectives
- Factors to Consider
- Targets & Environmental Performance Indicators
- Examples of Environmental Objectives
- Example Objective
- Documented Information
- Management Improvement Programme
- Who should be Involved?
- Action Plan
- Evidence of Planning
Scope and Number of the Environmental Objectives
The scope and number of the environmental objectives and targets must be realistic and achievable, otherwise, the success and continued commitment from Top management and employees will diminish.
Factors to Consider
Consider the factors below, as you begin to formulate your environmental objectives:
- 1. Legal and compliance requirements
- 2. Significant aspects (aspects directly related to significant impacts)
- 3. Significant safety hazards
- 4. Financial, operational, and business requirements
- 5. Views of interested parties
Targets & Environmental Performance Indicators
Targets must be quantified where practicable. The units that are used to quantify the targets are referred to as performance indicators and are defined as an expression that is used to provide information about management system performance.
The following are some examples of environmental performance indicators:
- The quantity of raw material or energy used
- The amount waste produced
- The number of incidents/accidents
- The percentage of waste recycled
- Investment in environmental protection
Environmental indicators are defined as a measurable representation of the status of operations, management or conditions, as such, each environmental objective will need one or more associated performance indicators.
Examples of Environmental Objectives
Examples of objectives and commitments that support the protection of the environment may include:
- Sustainable resource use
- Climate change mitigation and adaptation
- Protection of biodiversity and ecosystem
- Addressing other relevant environmental issues
Example Objective
The following is an example of an objective with a specific of a target and an environmental performance indicator:
1. Objective: reduce energy required in manufacturing processes
2. Target: achieve 15 % reduction of energy usage by 2022
3. Indicator: quantity of electricity per production unit (kilowatt/unit)
Organizations need to set their environmental objectives for relevant functions, levels and processes within its operations. It is for the organization itself to decide which functions, levels and processes are relevant.
Documented Information
Documented information of environmental objectives typically is in the form of a description or matrix of the objective and corresponding means and timeframe to achieve the objectives.
6.2.2 Planning Actions to Achieve Environmental Objectives
The organization must undertake planning in order to determine how its environmental objectives will be achieved. This planning includes:
- Determining the work required in order for the organization to realize its environmental objectives
- The resources necessary to undertake this work
- Whom will be responsible for ensuring that the work is done
- When the work needs to be completed by.
Management Improvement Programme
Organizations are required to establish and maintain one or more management improvement programmes for achieving their environmental objectives.
The management improvement programme is a key element to the success of the EMS.
Properly designed and implemented, management programmes should achieve the environmental objectives and, consequently, improve your organization’s performance.
The management programme must:
- Address each environmental objective and target
- Designate the personnel responsible for achieving targets at each relevant function/level of the organization
- Provide an action plan describing how each target will be achieved
- Establish a time-frame or a schedule for achieving each target
Who should be Involved?
Setting environmental objectives and targets should involve people from the relevant functional area(s). These people are well positioned to help establish, plan for, and achieve these targets. The involvement of people helps to build commitment and demonstrates positive leadership.
Action Plan
Establishing an action plan for each environmental objective may require considerable effort on the part of the personnel at relevant levels within your organization. To ensure the progress of the action plan and a coordinated effort, a target leader should be selected for each environmental target.
The target leader should be accountable and responsible for ensuring an environmental target is achieved within the specified time-frame.
Once the action plan is established, you must implement it. You may find that the following suggestions will help foster a cooperative effort in accomplishing the plan:
- Involve your employees early in establishing and carrying out the action plans
- Communicate the expectations and responsibilities laid out in the action plans to those who need to know
- Build on the plans and programmes you have now for EMS compliance
- Keep it simple
- Focus on the continual improvement of management programmes over time
Evidence of Planning
Look for evidence that effective planning is taking place to support the achievement of the organization’s environmental objectives.
Related Information You Might Find Useful
- ISO 9001 - Quality Objectives
- ISO 45001 - 6.2.2 Planning Actions to Achieve OH&S Objectives
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Updated: 24th February 2022
Author: Richard Keen
Richard Keen
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Objectives, Targets & Programmes Procedure
The purpose of this procedure is to establish how your organization implements and maintains quality and environmental objectives, targets and programmes that are consistent with our EMS policies, and whose achievement demonstrates continual improvement of our EMS.
For each significant environmental aspect, your organization establishes an appropriate objective and target.
Forms & Reports also included:
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- Environmental Aspect & Impact Register
- Interested Party Analysis
- PESTLE Analysis Template
- Risk & Opportunity Register
- SWOT Analysis Template
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