An environmental management system or EMS
refers to a system used in managing environmental programs of organizations in
a comprehensive, systematic, planned and documented way. An environmental management system contains
the structure, resources as well as planning for the development,
implementation and maintenance policy for the protection of the environment. An
Environmental Management System operates as a means for enhancing the
environmental performance (Boiral, 2007).
Environmental
management system is developed following comprehensive assessment of the impact
of an activity on the environment. Development of environmental management
system is a way of ensuring that the environmental impact of an activity like
coal mining is assessed and kept on check (Franks, Brereton and Moran, 2010). Aspects
and impacts of coal mining and export are considered for legislative
requirements, operational activities and the views of the internal and external
stakeholders. The identification of the main aspects and elements is done
during the assessment. The purpose of the assessment process is the
identification of important community and environment aspects and impacts
across the exporting organization, as well as the risks that are posed to the
controls and operations required to manage them effectively. The management of
aspects is possible in accordance to the degree of risk assigned to each
aspect. With the use of an environmental management plan, it is possible to
identify the aspects, impacts as well as risks and management (Hill, 2000).
According
to Macías, Caraballo and Nieto (2012) the main purpose of the assessment is
identification of the important aspects and impacts of the coal mining process,
from the site level, to transportation and exportation. Management controls
developed are identified as a way of reducing the risk posed by the impacts,
both on the environment and to the community. The approval of the international
organizations concerned with the environmental matter depends with the
availability of environmental management system by the organization concerned
with the mining as well as the transportation of coal (Franks, Brereton and
Moran, 2010).
Boiral
(2007) posits that the environmental management system is even more valuable to
the organization at a local and international level if it is ISO accredited. The most commonly used framework for Environmental
Management System is the one that is created by the International Organization
for Standardization (ISO) for the ISO 14001 standard. It is beneficial for an
organization dealing with coal to have an Environment Management System which
is accredited. This is because such an organization would add value to the
organization and also positively impact on its operations. Additionally, a more thorough approach to
environmental management makes it easier to deal with the implications which
are outside the local scope. This is because of its operations being on an
international level. Use of certified environmental management plan is evidence
of commitment to protection of the environment as well as sustainable
development, aspects which are closely watched by the international community
(Eccleston and March 2010).
In
summary, environmental management system is the overall management structure of
an organization which addresses short-term and long-term effects of its
products, services, and process on the environment. It provides order and
consistency for the organization in dealing with environmental issues through
effective allocation of resources, assignment of duties and continuing
evaluation of procedures, practices and processes. Some of its benefits
include: improvement of environmental performance; improved compliance; prevention of
pollution; resource conservation; enhanced efficiency and reduced cost;
improvement of the morale of the employees; improved image with regulators,
public, lenders, and investors; and enhanced awareness of the environmental
responsibilities and issues among employees. These are all very important in
revealing commitment for an organization with operations at the international level
(Hill,
2000).
References
Boiral, O (2007).
‘Corporate Greening Through IS0 14001: A Rational Myth?’, Organisation
Science,
vol. 18, no. 1, pp. 127-146.
Eccleston C. and March
F., (2010). Global Environmental Policy:
Principles, Concepts And
Practice, CRC
Press Inc
Franks, D. M.,
Brereton, D., & Moran, C. J. (2010). Managing the cumulative impacts of
coal
mining
on regional communities and environments in Australia. Impact Assessment
& Project Appraisal (Beech Tree Publishing), 28(4), 299-312.
Hill R.C. (2000).
Integrated Environmental Management Systems in the implementation of
projects.
South African Journal of Science 96: 50-54.
Macías, F., Caraballo,
M. A., & Nieto, J. (2012). Environmental assessment and management of
metal-rich
wastes generated in acid mine drainage passive remediation systems. Journal
Of Hazardous Materials, 229-230107-114
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