Both public and private organisations are increasingly recognizing the importance and value of environmental management in order to ensure long-term viability, client relations, cost-effectiveness, risk management, cost-effectiveness, sustainability, and long-term viability. Professionals with solid knowledge of sustainability and environmental management systems are more needed. Green jobs are growing quickly, which means that there is a high demand for environmental professionals.

What is Environmental Management?

This is a way to develop standards and policies that reduce an organization’s environmental impact. A formal or informal system of environmental management can be developed by external experts, or internally.

An environmental management program can cover many environmental issues.

* Air Pollution* Ecosystem, wildlife and habitat impacts
* Energy consumption
* Environmental cleanup and remediation
* Environmental performance of vendors and contractors
* Emissions of greenhouse gases
* Management of hazardous waste
* Indoor air quality
* Land use patterns
* Use of raw materials
* Solid waste production, recycling
* Use of toxic chemicals
* Wastewater management
* Water consumption in indoor, outdoor, manufacturing, or industrial processes
* Water quality measurement

The nature of work and desired outcomes will determine the issues that are covered in an organization’s environment management program. It will generally provide the following structures.

* Audit of environmental activities, waste production and energy use.
* The development of procedures and policies as part of an overall internal environment policy
* Establish benchmarks for energy and water conservation, pollution reduction, land conservation, habitat preservation, and chemical usage.
* Provide awareness and training for employees and other stakeholders
* Use the measured results for compliance reporting and environmental certifications

Environmental Management Systems have many benefits

Businesses, non-profits, schools, and government that use environmental management systems enjoy a variety of benefits.

* Lower costs for waste disposal, chemicals and water.
* Lower costs due to more efficient use of resources
* Employee loyalty and shareholder loyalty is higher
* Increased marketing opportunities and a better public image
* Lower risk of environmental certification and compliance
* Protection against rising energy costs and price fluctuation

Although it is still an innovative differentiation strategy, environmental management will soon be business as usual, as more executives are aware of the benefits and implications.

Role of the Environmental Professional

An environmental professional might engage a customer depending on a variety of factors. This could be either their employer, or a client who they are receiving payments for services. No matter the relationship, these are the basic rules that you should follow:

* Comply with all laws.
* Always be ethical and seek the advice of a lawyer or an environmental agency.
* Assess the situation to determine the cause and current status.
* Discuss possible alternatives with professionals.
* Make suggestions for alternatives.
* Control and regulate environmental activities
* Get out of the situation before it escalates.

Appropriate environmental management is critical for successful business operations, to reduce liability and to maintain human and environmental health. EDP work with clients from every industry to provide a tailored approach to reduce their risk and meet their objectives.

Our team combine expertise from across Australia and overseas to create a unique solution in collaboration with our clients, often including technical experts from a variety of disciplines to achieve this.

EDP’s environmental service areas include:

  • Environmental Assessments
  • Underground Storage Tank Management
  • Remediation and Contamination Management
  • Waste Classification and Management
  • Groundwater Assessments
  • Health and Environmental Risk Assessment

To speak to one of our expert team call 02 8484 5810 or email [email protected]