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17-Oct-2006 Environmental Management Systems The elements of an Environmental Management System
An Environmental Management System can be divided into four components, which correspond to the elements of the Deming Cycle, plan, do, check and act. Under each of the links on this page, you will find a description of the corresponding element, as well as a translation to the Military Sector. Within each element section, you will also find a link to a folder with documents and tools on that specific element. The element "Plan" stands for policy and planning. It is important to formulate environmental policy within the existing processes of policy making. This means using the "act" outcome of the Deming Circle and national and international laws and policy. Using the international standard ISO 14001, it is important to create commitment among the senior commanders within the Defence organisation and integrate that commitment within the defence policy. Countries and states should not only formulate policy for themselves, but also for joint operations. This means that environmental issues are taken into account when planning operations. Without planning, actions would only be based on instinct and intuition. Planning environmental issues should be done according to the existing process of planning, including budgeting and reporting. It is internationally agreed that by developing and implementing SMART performance measurements (Specific, Measurable, Agreed, Realistic and Timely) it is possible to prove that environmental performance has improved as a result of the actions planned, implemented and monitored. The preferred situation is one in which environmental programmes are combined with other programmes such as health and safety. Examples of MoD Environmental Policy Documents
Linking the activities described to an existing planning and control process makes a commanding officer responsible for these activities and is also necessary to show that environmental issues are part of the job. Lack of commitment is one of the main bottlenecks for environmental awareness. Another important aspect is that, in addition to a willingness to include environmental issues to planning, one must also be capable of addressing those issues adequately. That requires the right education, communication and documentation. The need for the right education is emphasised by several NATO working groups, such as the Environmental Protection Working Group (EPWG) which suggests different training for different levels. These subjects are also addressed in STANAG 7141EP. Examples of EMS Handbooks and other relevant documents:
Although this section is called ‘Checking’, that is somewhat misleading. Other activities are also required to give you the right information to be able to manage the environmental impact of military operations and successfully decrease the impact. Examples of EMS Documents supporting the 'check' component:
Acting or reviewing is the most important step towards the improvement of the environmental performance. The outcome of the "act" phase is the direct input for the "plan" phase and links these two together. It forms the glue between the outcome of a management system and the start of a new and improved Deming Circle. Implementing an EMS involves a lot of communication, education, and, unfortunately, a lot of paperwork. On the brighter side: you are not alone. Nor are you the first to implement an EMS. There is no need for you to invent everything from scratch. If the documentation links to the other pages do not include what you are looking for, maybe you'll find it here. Contributions from colleagues inside and outside NATO which may help you achieve our common goal: sustainable development in a stable world with a healthy environment for us and our children to live in and grow in:
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