International Finance Corporation (IFC)
An Environment Management System (EMS) is a practical tool designed to help companies monitor and manage the impacts of their activities on the environment. An EMS integrates environmental management into a company’s daily operations, long-term planning and other management systems. The most important component of an EMS is an organizational commitment, based on a “plan, do, check, and act” cycle, from the top of an organization to staff, to establish and refine environmental protection procedures that can be documented (and audited as required) to verify environmental performance to regulators and the community.
To help small and medium-sized companies develop an EMS, the IFC Environment and Social Development Department has published a manual that outlines this structured approach to planning and implementing environment protection measures. Numerous government agencies, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Australia’s Department of the Environment and Heritage, have endorsed the EMS concept.
This manual is a step-by-step guide designed to help enterprises implement Environment Management Systems (EMSs) and comply with IFC’s environmental policies. The manual’s primary goal is to help businesses use environmental reviews to identify cost-saving measures. It is also intended to be a resource for companies to ensure positive environmental impacts while benefiting their own organization.
A copy of the manual can be downloaded from the IFC website.
