Environmental Objectives and Performance Planning in ISO 14001 - Environmental Management Systems
Introduction
Setting and achieving environmental objectives is a key component of an effective Environmental Management System (EMS). Organizations must establish measurable environmental goals aligned with their ISO 14001 environmental policy, considering significant environmental aspects, compliance obligations, and associated risks and opportunities. These objectives should be systematically planned, integrated into core business processes, and monitored using environmental performance indicators to ensure continual improvement.
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According to Clause 6.2: Environmental objectives and planning to achieve them
General
In the planning process, an organization establishes environmental objectives to fulfill the commitments established in its environmental policy and achieves other organizational goals. The process of establishing and reviewing environmental objectives and implementing processes to achieve them provides a systematic basis for the organization to improve environmental performance in some areas, while maintaining its level of environmental performance in others.
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Top management may establish environmental objectives at the strategic level, the tactical level or the operational level. The strategic level includes the highest levels of the organization and the environmental objectives can be applicable to the whole organization. The tactical and operational levels can include environmental objectives for specific units or functions within the organization and should be compatible with its strategic direction.
Environmental objectives should be communicated to persons working under the organization’s control who have the ability to influence the achievement of environmental objectives.
The requirement to “take into account significant environmental aspects” does not mean that an environmental objective has to be established for each significant environmental aspect, however, these have a high priority when establishing environmental objectives.
“Consistent with the environmental policy” means that the environmental objectives are broadly aligned and harmonized with the commitments made by top management in the environmental policy, including the commitment to continual improvement.
Indicators are selected to evaluate the achievement of measurable environmental objectives. “Measurable” means it is possible to use either quantitative or qualitative methods in relation to a specified scale to determine if the environmental objective has been achieved. By specifying “if practicable”, it is acknowledged that there can be situations when it is not feasible to measure an environmental objective, however, it is important that the organization is able to determine whether or not an environmental objective has been achieved.
Environmental Objectives
The organization shall establish environmental objectives at relevant functions and levels, taking into account the organization’s significant environmental aspects and associated compliance obligations, and considering its risks and opportunities.
The environmental objectives shall be:
- Consistent with the environmental policy.
- Measurable (if practicable).
- Monitored.
- Communicated.
- Updated as appropriate.
The organization shall maintain documented information on the environmental objectives.
Planning actions to achieve environmental objectives
When planning how to achieve its environmental objectives, the organization shall determine:
- What will be done?
- What resources will be required?
- Who is responsible?
- When it will be completed?
- How the results will be evaluated? (including indicators for monitoring progress toward achievement of its measurable environmental objectives)
The organization shall consider how actions to achieve its environmental objectives can be integrated into the organization’s business processes.
In establishing environmental objectives, an organization should consider inputs, including:
- Principles and commitments in its environmental policy.
- Its significant environmental aspects (and information developed in determining them).
- Its compliance obligations.
- Risks and opportunities that need to be addressed as determined, related to other issues and requirements affecting the environmental management system.
The organization can also consider:
- Effects of achieving environmental objectives on other activities and processes.
- Possible effects on the public image of the organization.
- Findings from environmental reviews.
- Other organizational goals.
Environmental objectives should be established at the top level of the organization and at other levels and functions where activities important to achieving the environmental policy commitments and overall organizational goals are carried out. Environmental objectives should be consistent with the environmental policy and commitments to the protection of the environment, including the prevention of pollution, fulfilment of compliance obligations, and continual improvement.
An environmental objective can be expressed directly as a specific performance level, or can be expressed in a general manner and further defined by one or more targets, i.e., a detailed performance requirement that should be met in order to achieve an environmental objective. When targets are set, they should be measurable. Targets may need to include a specified time frame.
The environmental objectives the organization establishes should be considered as part of its overall management objectives. Such integration can enhance the value of not only the environmental management system, but also business processes to which the integration applies.
Objectives can be applicable across the organization or more narrowly to site-specific or individual activities. For example, a manufacturing facility may have an overall energy-reduction objective that can be achieved by conservation activities in one individual department. In other situations, however, all parts of the organization should contribute in some way to achieve the organization’s overall objective. It is also possible that different parts of the organization, pursuing the same overall objective, may need to implement different actions to achieve their departmental objectives.
An organization should identify the contributions of different levels and functions of the organization in achieving its environmental objectives, and make the individual members of the organization aware of their responsibilities.
Documentation and communication of environmental objectives improves the organization’s ability to achieve its environmental objectives. The organization should retain documented information on its environmental objectives, and information concerning environmental objectives should be provided to those responsible for achieving them and to other personnel who need such information to carry out related functions, such as operational control.
Planning actions to achieve environmental objectives
Part of the planning process can include programmes for achieving an organisation’s environmental objectives.
The programme should address roles, responsibilities, processes, resources, timeframes, priorities and the actions necessary for achieving the environmental objectives. These actions can deal with individual processes, projects, products, services, sites, or facilities within a site. Organizations can integrate programmes to achieve environmental objectives with other programmes within their strategic planning process. Programmes to achieve environmental objectives help the organization to improve its environmental performance. They should be dynamic. When changes in processes, activities, services and products within the scope of the environmental management system occur, the environmental objectives and associated programmes should be revised as necessary.
Performance indicators
The organization’s environmental performance indicators are an important tool for monitoring its progress in achieving environmental objectives and continual improvement. An organization should establish environmental performance indicators that can produce objective, verifiable and reproducible results. The indicators should be appropriate to the organization’s activities, products and services, consistent with its environmental policy, practical, cost-effective and technologically feasible. These indicators can be used to track the organization’s progress in achieving its environmental objectives. They can also be used for other purposes, such as part of an overall process for evaluating and improving environmental performance. The organization can consider the use of environmental condition indicators (ECIs), management performance indicators (MPIs) and operational performance indicators (OPIs) appropriate to its significant environmental aspects.
Conclusion
By defining clear environmental objectives, planning actions to achieve them, and monitoring progress through environmental performance indicators, organizations can enhance their environmental performance while aligning with strategic goals. Effective documentation, communication, and integration of objectives into business processes strengthen commitment to sustainability, regulatory compliance, and continual improvement in line with ISO 14001 standards.
For professional assistance in aligning your objectives with ISO 14001 requirements, trust Maxicert—a leading provider of ISO certification services and one of the best ISO consultants for environmental management system implementation.
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FAQ
How should an organization set environmental objectives?
Environmental objectives should align with the organization’s environmental policy, be measurable if possible, and take into account significant environmental aspects, compliance obligations and identified risks and opportunities.
What factors should be considered when planning actions to achieve environmental objectives?
Oil and gas, infrastructure, transportation, and even the manufacturing industry are examples of sectors that should be considered.
Why are performance indicators important in environmental objectives?
Performance indicators provide measurable, objective data to track progress, verify improvements and support continual enhancement of environmental performance.