ECOFRIENDLY TECHNOLOGIES - FOR PROFESSIONAL ETHICS AND HUMAN VALUES

ECOFRIENDLY TECHNOLOGIES

Ecofriendly technologies are also known as clean technologies, green technologies or environmental technologies. They help preserve the environment through energy efficiency and reduce emission of  harmful wastes.

Green technology is still in the earliest stages of development, but many exciting innovations have already been made in areas like renewable energy, water purification and waste management, as well as in everyday consumer products like electronics and vehicles. It can be as small as a hand-held gadget or as expansive as a new method of filtering greenhouse gases out of the atmosphere.

Eco-friendly technology often involves some of the following:

·         Recycled, recyclable and/or biodegradable content

·         Plant-based materials

·         Reduction of polluting substances

·         Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions

·         Renewable energy

·         Energy-efficiency

·         Multi-functionality

·         Low-impact manufacturing

Recently, new innovations in the field of green technology have included highly efficient LED lights, which could be used to make countless other gadgets more environmentally friendly, as well as promising growth in lesser-known renewable energies like algae oil. A company called Agilyx is working on technology that could turn plastic trash into synthetic crude oil, and flexible thin-film solar modules are one step closer to making a wider range of solar energy applications possible.

Major companies like Dell and Google are taking notable steps forward with eco-friendly technology in projects ranging from plant-based packaging to vast wind farms.

Google has announced that it will invest $100 million in the Shepherd's Flat wind project in Oregon, which will supply an average of 235,000 homes once it's fully operational. The tech-driven company is particularly interested in the project because it will be the first to use direct-drive turbines. It has also invested $168 million in a utility-scale power plant in the California desert, and also bought a 49-percent stake in a photovoltaic farm in Germany. Such investments could help the tech giant power its own energy-hungry operations more sustainably. Google currently has a 1.6 megawatt solar installation of its own at its Mountain View, California headquarters.

Demark has build Wind mills in July, 2015 that has resulted in 140% yield in electricity which is sold in neighboring countries – Germany, Norway and Sweden.

Dell is bringing its latest eco-friendly technology closer to home – specifically, the homes of customers ordering the company's computers. Dell has announced a new sustainable packing strategy that will use mushrooms to create product cushioning for shipment. Grown rather than manufactured, the mushroom-based packaging is produced when agricultural waste products like cotton hulls are pressed into molds and then inoculated with mushroom spawn. Within five to ten days, the resulting packaging is ready to use. Mushroom-based packaging is biodegradable, making it a far greener option than commonly used styrofoam and polyethylene.

Eco-friendly technology innovations such as these will continue have a tremendous impact on the tech industry, especially when implemented by companies with a large influence on consumers.

Following are few Ecofriendly technologies which are few among 100’s of them available worldwide.

1.      Low Emission Diesel

The big car manufacturers primary response to high fuel prices and environmental concerns has been the development of low emission diesel engines. Vehicles fitted with these engines are more fuel efficient than conventional petrol driven vehicles, and less polluting.

In Delhi, supercourt has imposed restrictions on running Diesel cars above 2000cc to cut down pollution. Recently they have relieved the order while asking Benz, Mercedes companies to pay cezz which would cut down their usage or think about searching for alternatives.

2.      Ford Solar Power Car

Motor manufacturer Ford unveiled its first solar-power car at the Las Vegas electronics show. The Ford C-Max Solar Energi Concept Car feature integral solar panels on the roof which tracks the Sun's position. The prototype car is said to be able to travel for 21 miles once fully charged, and a full charge can take 6 to 7 hours. The vehicle is intended to be parked under a purpose designed concentrator (a bit like a large magnifying glass) that powers it by 100% by renewable energy.

3.      Electric Cars

Most large car manufacturers now produce a model of electric car, and the technology is improving all the time. The performance and range of electric cars has increased to the extent where they are becoming a viable alternative to petrol cars. However, electric cars are only as eco friendly as the electricity that powers them. If that electricity was generated at a coal fired power station, the benefit to the environment is minimal. However, if the electricity was generated by sustainable technology, i.e. solar, wind or tidal, then the electric car is a truly eco  friendly mode of transport.  There are a number of fully electric cars available including the Tesla P1 Roadster. It does 0 to 60 mph in 4 seconds, reaching speeds of around 125mph. An average charge takes 3.5 hours providing enough power to travel 220 miles. Unfortunately this sort of performance is seldom matched by other electric cars, which usually lack acceleration and a fast top speed. Another downside of electric cars is that their batteries have a tendency to explode on impact.

4.      Hydrogen Cars

Hydrogen cars are powered by hydrogen fuel cells. The cell is topped up with liquid hydrogen, which mixes with oxygen from the air to produce electricity and steam.
There are a number of technological hurdles to overcome if hydrogen vehicles are to become commonly used. For example, at present, the most common methods of creating hydrogen require electricity, much of which is currently generated using fossil fuels. Another drawback with hydrogen is that its density is very low, so hydrogen fuel tanks would have to be very big if the car was to have the same range of a conventional petrol car.

 

5.      Green air travel

Research into hydrogen fuel continues apace and Boeing revealed that it's protoype hydrogen powered plane carried out a successful test flight. This is thought to be the first manned plane to be powered by hydrogen fuel cells, converting it through a chemical reaction into electricity and water. The process creates no carbon pollution making it infinitely greener than conventional combustion engines. Other recent developments in Green air travel have included:
Electra, a single-seater battery-powered experimental plane developed in France
Virgin flew a Boeing 747 part-fuelled by biodiesel from London to Amsterdam. 
Boeing's 787 is to be built of carbon fibre, meaning that it is lighter and will use 20 per cent less fuel than similar airliners. Critics point out that even with recent advances in green technology, the air industry is still one of the worst and most avoidable polluters of the environment, and the sector is growing much faster than green technology can mitigate its impact. And as Boeing themselves admit hydrogen cells are unlikely to ever create enough power for a large passenger airliner. 

Airbus, manufacturer of the A380 superjumbo, has pledged to produce greener planes before 2020. In addition to the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the A380 also generates 20% less carbon dioxide per journey than aircraft did 10 years ago, but increases in oil prices are requiring planes that burn fuel at an even lower rate. Aviation companies are currently looking at fuel cell and carbon capture technologies, but carrying 300, or more, passengers with these engines is currently impossible. Also under consideration is the more efficient "blended wing" design, which converts an airplane into a giant wing.

 

6.      ECO-MARATHON

The Shell Eco-marathon is a competition for self-built fuel efficient machines, built by students, to travel a set distance using the least amount fuel or electric energy possible. The cars must be powered by petrol/diesel, biofuels (like ethanol and FAME), gas-to-liquid, hydrogen fuel cells or electric batteries. At the 2013 event, the most successful vehicles travelled nearly 3,000km from one liter of petrol or a single kilowatt-hour of electricity. The vehicles are designed to be ultra efficient with streamlined shapes and all unnecessary weight removed.

 

7.      Composting

Kitchen waste (left over food, for example) produces methane - a particularly potent greenhouse gas. Composting exposes these materials to oxygen, preventing the release of methane, and producing a useful, nutrient rich by-product, which can be used as fertilizer. Most councils now supply composting bins, or better still, invest in a wormery. A compost heap can built for relatively little expense.

8.      Micro Energy Generation

It is estimated that normal domestic homes are responsible for 27% of total carbon dioxide emissions, with each house producing 6 tonnes of CO₂ a year. 1.7 tonnes of which is from electricity 4.3 tonnes is from our consumption of gas. One strategy to address these figures is to use less energy, improving our household insulation and recycling. Another complimentary strategy is that of micro power generation, whereby each household sustainably generates their portion, or all, of their own electric and power supply to provide heat or light, and ideally, generates a surplus which they can sell back to the national power suppliers. There are a number of ways in which households can achieve this: Solar panels and by producing Biogas.

9.  Energy Saving Bulbs

If the average UK family swapped 3 normal 100watt traditional bulbs for 20watt energy saving bulbs they would prevent 120kg of CO₂ being released into the atmosphere. Each bulb would  save its owner Rs750 per year or Rs8,500 over its lifetime.  The accumulative effect of cost savings like this, taken in concert with other savings suggested elsewhere in this site could really add up to a quite substantial amount

10.  Eco Friendly Flats

Self sustained ecofriendly homes with zero emissions have following features:

• The walls of the flats are highly insulated and then covered with natural brick and clay tiles. 
•The windows are triple-glazed. 
• The homes are heated by under-floor heating and there are no radiators. 
• A "heat-recovery ventilation system" utilizes any heat generated within the home, for instance by electrical equipment, a boiling kettle or human activity, and returns it back into the flats along with fresh air. 
• There are solar panels on the roof 
• A biomass boiler runs off wood pellets (plugged into the National Grid, just in case). 
• Rainwater harvesting, low-flush toilets. 
• Low-flow taps and showers all encourage water consumption (about half the average). 
• Small baths are designed to conserve water. 

The cost of building is just over Rs.2.5 crores which could be subsidized by the government promoting ecofriendly environment.

 

11.  Carbon Offsetting

What is carbon offsetting? The subject is much talked about, but few seem to know what it really entails. The concept of carbon offsetting is as follows: every time you do something that will produce a lot of CO₂ emissions, like jetting off on your holidays for example, you pay into a fund that finances positive eco products that help to reduce worldwide CO₂ levels, such as replacing diesel generators in developing countries with solar powered ones, or installing wind turbines. The intention is to neutralise the impact on worldwide emissions. However, this is also one critism of offsetting: the overall effect is neutral. Ideally therefore, in addition to offsetting, individuals and governments should be aiming to actively reduce the amount of carbon they produce.  Some popular offsetting schemes include: Equiclimate Carbon Offsets Ltd  The introduction of government standards has done a lot to allay people’s uncertainty (not to mention downright suspicion!), as only schemes that can prove that the emission reduction that has been paid for will receive the mark of approval. 

12.  Chemicals and Washing Powder

A great deal has been done recently to clean up the chemical industry and yet the sheer volume of harmful chemicals that are flushing away from them threatens our environment. One step that can be taken is the use of washing powders which don't use phosphates. Phosphates clog up rivers and lakes and are harmful to water life such as fish and water life. When setting washing machine too choose the lowest possible temperature for the most stubborn stain. Use the correct dosage  of washing powder or washing machine.

Eco friendly washing powders use plant derived  non-ionic detergents that cause least harm to machines and the environment.

 

13.  Biochar

Biochar is a charcoal-like material created when biomass is heated in the absence of air or with very small, controlled amounts of oxygen. It can be used to capture and store carbon. This is because charcoal is a stable solid and rich in carbon content, and thus, can be used to lock carbon in the soil. Biochar also acts as a soil improver. A sewage plant in Germany heats sewage to create biochar. The process is so successful that the plant is carbon negative - actually locking away carbon that would otherwise be in circulation.

 

14.  Carbon Capture Power Stations

Despite attempts to develop alternatives technologies to fossil fuels, coal is expected to remain one of the world's major sources of energy for the next 50 years. One potential way to mitigate some of the harm caused by burning fossil fuels such as coal in power stations would be to fit carbon dioxide capturing technology. Carbon capturing systems extract carbon dioxide from power station fumes and pump the captured gas into deep underground cavities or into the ocean. The government believes carbon dioxide capturing technology could remove 90 per cent of the CO₂ released by Britain's fossil fuel power stations, and alone achieve almost one third of the country's emission-cut targets. Carbon capture technology is, however, still unproven at industrial scale.

15.  Green Computers

Dell has announced that they are following Asus in bringing out a wooden computer! Actually, only the case is made from wood - sustainable Bamboo in fact. These products will join a whole range of computing products made from bamboo. The new Dell computers are expected to cost between Rs 20,000 to 30,000.

16.  Green Gadget Remote Control

Remote control manufacturer, One For All, have created the ‘Energy Saver’ remote control which promises to help you reduce your carbon footprint and at the same time reduce your energy bills. The remote comes with a special power plug when attached to all the appliances would turn them off at night or when not in use. The remote control is pre-programmed to control the plug, meaning you can turn everything off or back on again at the press of a button providing an energy saving of around 90 per cent. This could represent 44kg of carbon dioxide or 74.34 kilowatts per year. The remote itself can also control up to four devices and is future proof in that it can be wirelessly upgraded with any new devices over the Internet. 

17.  Green Gadgets

5% or 300kg of a households average carbon dioxide emissions are a result of gadgets like set top boxes, mobile phone chargers being left on standby. Why not turn them off? In the UK, an average family would save over £37 per year: enough for a slap up pizza dinner! 
Increasingly manufacturers are designing these devices with eco friendly functions, and leaving out unnecessary environmentally unfriendly functions such as the dreaded standby. 
More than 6 million electrical items are binned every year in the UK, and it is estimated that over half could be repaired. Obviously, a reconditioned appliance requires less energy to bring it back into use, than to rebuild from scratch. Dixon’s Group shops, PC world and Currys Digital will all accept old returned products when customers buy new ones. In India also we have exchange of goods and thanks to OLX and such apps that allow resale of the used goods.

 

18.  Recycling

Bringing a single aluminium can back into use, requires only 5% of the energy used to create it in the first place. It is estimated that 25% of household rubbish is recycled, the equivalent of taking 35 million cars off the road. In some high achieving countries like Austria and Germany the figure is more like 50%. This is the equivalent of 7 million cars. This adds up to a single fact - recycling is one of the single most effective things that every household can do to help guard against global warming.

 

ALTERNATIVE SOURCES OF ENERGY

Over the last 200 years, people have become more and more dependent on energy that they dig out of the ground. In the 1700’s, almost all our energy came from wind, water, firewood, or muscle power. The wind powered our windmills and sailing ships. Water powered our water wheels. Firewood did our cooking and heated our homes. Muscle power (human or animal) did just about everything else. All these energy sources came from the sun, since solar energy drove wind and rain, grew trees, and grew crops to nourish our animals and ourselves. All these energy sources were also renewable, since wind kept blowing, rivers kept flowing, and trees and crops kept growing. About 1800, we began to get much of our energy from coal dug out of the ground. About 1900 we began to drill for oil and natural gas. By 1950 these “fossil fuels” had mainly displaced the older energy sources except for water power. Fossil fuels come from the decayed remains of prehistoric plants and animals, so their energy also comes, originally, from the sun. In some parts of the world new fossil fuels are being formed even today. But we are using fossil fuels at a far greater rate than they are being created, using up energy stored over hundreds of millions of years in a few hundred years. After 1950, we began to use atomic energy from uranium dug from the ground. Uranium is not a fossil fuel, and its energy does not originate from the sun. But uranium, like fossil fuels, is non-renewable: once it’s used up, it’s gone forever. Over the past 25 years, use of older renewable energy sources has increased and we have begun to use new renewable energy sources as well. We have realized that our fossil and atomic fuels will not last forever, and that their use contributes to environmental pollution. Renewable energy – which basically comes from the sun in one way or another – provides opportunities for an unlimited, sustainable energy supply with low environmental impact. And renewable energy is not just something for the future, but something we can use in our homes today.

What are Renewable and Alternative Energy Sources?

True renewable energy sources are energy supplies that are refilled by natural processes at least as fast as we use them. All renewable energy comes, ultimately, from the sun. We can use the sun directly (as in solar heating systems) or indirectly (as in hydroelectric power, wind power, and power from biomass fuels). Renewable energy supplies can become exhausted if we use them faster than they become replenished: most of forests were cut down for fuel before we started using coal. If used wisely, however, renewable energy supplies can last forever. There are other alternatives to our typical energy sources that are not renewable. Although these are “alternative energy” rather than “renewable energy”, they use the energy we have more efficiently than older technologies. In doing this, they help us make our existing energy supplies last longer and give us more time before we run out of stored fossil and atomic fuels. The use of renewable and alternative energy sources can save us money, assure that our grandchildren and great grandchildren will have enough energy.

Solar Energy:
Almost everything in this world ultimately derives its energy from the sun. Instead of obtaining the sun’s energy from indirect sources like fossil fuels, researchers and organizations worldwide are looking to directly tap this unlimited source of energy.

The earth receives about 174 billion megawatts of power at the upper atmosphere as a result of solar radiation. About 30% of the incident solar radiation is reflected back, while the remaining, which amounts to 3.85 x 1024 Joules every year, is absorbed by the atmosphere, oceans and landmasses. The amount of solar energy that is available to us during an hour is more than the total amount of energy consumed worldwide in an entire year. But this is a diffused, rather than concentrated, form of energy and the greatest challenge lies in harnessing it.

Heat and light radiation from the sun can be harnessed through the use of semiconductor solar panels. The energy solar radiation excites electrons on these panels and leads to the production of electricalenergy. 

One of the biggest hurdles in harnessing the energy from the sun is in building cost-effective solar panels. Proper storage of energy is another major obstacle. Solar energy is not available at night but modern energy systems usually assume continuous availability of energy. Thermal mass systems, thermal storage systems, phase change materials, off-grid photovoltaic systems, and pumped storage hydroelectricity systems are some of the ways in which solar energy can be stored for later use. Even with all of the technological advancements, solar energy technology is still in its infancy. Perfecting the technology and harnessing, storage of solar energy in a viable and cost-effective manner are the areas of current research.

Nuclear Energy: 
As the worldwide demand for power continues to surge, nuclear energy is gaining increasing importance as a clean source of power that is expected to address the global issue of climate change. Volatility in the prices of fossil fuels and the increasing concern of nations to secure energy supplies are other drivers of nuclear energy.

There are currently 439 nuclear power reactors operational in 30 countries worldwide. This accounts for 14% of the total power generation of the world. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) expects the global nuclear power generation capacity to increase from the current 372 gigawatts (GW) to 437–542 GW by 2020 and to 473–748 GW by 2030. However, for nuclear power to emerge as a reliable and clean source of energy, several challenges need to be addressed. Some of these include improvement in economic competitiveness, designing safe and reliable nuclear power plants, management of spent fuel and disposal of radioactive waste, developing adequate skilled workforce, ensuring public confidence in nuclear power, and ensuring nuclear non-proliferation and security.  

Nuclear energy is harnessed by either splitting (fission) or merging (fusion) the nuclei of two or more atoms. Nuclear fission usually uses uranium in the process of harnessing energy. At our current rates of consumption, the uranium found in the Earth’s crust can last us about a century. However researchers predict that the energy consumption will triple in the next century, which means that the available uranium resources will only last us for approximately 30 years. One option is the reprocessing of the spent fuel. This spent fuel is rich in plutonium and when combined with the leftover uranium, it can be reprocessed into a mixture known as MOX, which can be used as fuel. This may help to stretch the available uranium resources by a few more decades. The biggest drawback to this source of energy is the disposal of radioactive waste and the high cost of building nuclear power plants.

Nuclear fission, on the other hand, could be the answer to our energy problems. Fission utilizes hydrogen isotopes, lithium, and boron. The lithium reserves from the earth, combined with those from the sea, can last us for more than 60 million years. Deuterium, an isotope of hydrogen, can last another 250 million years. However, the process of harnessing energy from this isotope is fairly complicated and is still in its infancy. If we can successfully learn how to utilize nuclear fusion for the generation of energy in a viable manner, it could well be the new king of the energy world. Nuclear fusion is a clean process, with low carbon dioxide emissions, and the radioactive waste products also have a relatively short half-life.

WindEnergy: 
Wind farms are constructed to harness mechanical energy from the wind and convert it into electrical energy. These wind farms are then connected to electrical power transmission networks for the distribution of power. On average, only 20 to 40 percent of the total energy capacity of a wind farm can be utilized.

The limiting factor in harnessing energy from wind is that wind speed is variable and in most cases the energy from wind can only be effectively harnessed with very high wind speed and consistent heavy winds. These generally occur at higher altitudes. Wind energy also requires large, open expanses of land in order to construct wind farms.

In 2008, the worldwide wind power generation capacity stood at 121.2 GW. On an average, wind power currently accounts for only 1.5% of the global power generation capacity. However, this sector has grown two-fold within the three-year period of 2005–2008. Wind power accounts for 19% of the total power generation in Denmark, 10% in Portugal and Spain, and 7% in the Republic of Ireland and Germany.

Tidal Barrages

Tidal Barrages consist of a kind dam built across a tidal estuary. As the tide comes in, water is allowed to flow in to the reservoir created by the dam, but at high tide a gate is closed, and as the tide falls again the water within the reservoir is trapped. At low tide, another gate is opened allowing the water to flow out of the reservoir through turbines. Barrage tidal energy power stations a huge civil engineering projects, requiring vast amounts of energy and resources to construct, and with a lasting impact on the local environment, and yet, once in place they have the potential to go on generating cheap and carbon neutral energy for generations.

Geothermal energy: 
The interior of the Earth contains a lot of heat. Shallow regions contain hot water, rock and steam. Deeper inside, the magma is intensely hot. This heat can be harnessed to produce electrical energy and drive various applications. Harnessing geothermal energy requires no fuel and minimal land. It is relatively cheap and a very sustainable source of energy since the amount of heat contained in the earth bed is so vast that even if we harness more energy than we require, it will still suffice for millions of years to come.

Oceanic Energy: 
The oceans are vast and contain huge amounts of energy in the water currents, and thermal and salinity gradients. The energy from tides and waves can be harnessed to produce electrical energy. The differences in temperature that occur with varying depths can be used to drive heat engines, which in turn produce electric power. The osmotic pressure difference between salt water and fresh water can also be used to generate electricity. Although most of these methods are still in the experimental stages, if researched properly, they can be a breakthrough for mankind. The oceans may well be able to quench our thirst for energy and bag the crown as the king of fuels.

Biofuels and Biomass: 
These include fuel from plant and animal sources. Oil, or ethanol, obtained from plants such as sugarcane, switchgrass, algae, poplar, and corn can be used directly or mixed with other fuels such as commercial diesel and gasoline to provide power. Even plant matter such as dead wood, leaves, wood chips, and branches can be burnt to produce energy. This is typically classified as biomass. Biomass also includes any biodegradable waste from plant and animal sources which can be burnt for fuel.

The limiting factor in using bio fuels is that a large number of crops need to be grown to harvest the energy trapped in plants. This requires vast areas of fertile land. Additionally, not all plant sources offer a high yield. Experiments are underway to hybridize and genetically alter these crops to make them more robust and increase their yield. Biofuels are very promising for small-scale use as they are low on greenhouse gas emission, are an effective waste management system, and produce little air pollutants.

With the advancement of new technology and the development of new insights into our surroundings, scientists have been able to come up with even more adventurous power options. These include fuel cells, geothermal energy, and tidal and wave energy, to name a few.

FuelCells: 
Fuel cells are similar to batteries but use reactants from an external source, as opposed to batteries which are self contained. If the fuel and oxidant levels in fuel cells are properly maintained, power can be generated almost continuously. The efficiency of fuel cells is proportional to the power being drawn from it. They are also lightweight and extremely reliable.
Recently in September 2018, Germany has stated its first Hydrogen Train that runs using Hydrogen fuel cell. Electricity is produced in it by combining Hydrogen and oxygen. the emission are just water and steam.

                                                                             

GREEN TECHNOLOGY AND GREEN MANAGEMENT

Green technology or clean technology is the application of the environmental science to conserve the natural environment and resources, Sustainable development is the core of this, and sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

What is green management? From the corporate angle definitely related to the environmental policy establishment, which will enhance the corporate environmental performance through application of green technology activities over continues basis to benefit both the internal as well as external stakeholders. An understanding of the causal relationship between green management and corporate environmental performance such as green technology activities is highly important for environmental policy. The environmental performance such as technological environmental innovations could actually influence green management. Several companies have installed eco-friendly plants and adopted practices that will benefit the environment

Environmental management system (EMS) refers to the management of an organization's environmental programs in a comprehensive, systematic, planned and documented manner. It includes the organizational structure, planning and resources for developing, implementing and maintaining policy for environmental protection.

More formally, EMS is "a system and database which integrates procedures and processes for training of personnel, monitoring, summarizing, and reporting of specialized environmental performance information to internal and external stakeholders of a firm."

The most widely used standard on which an EMS is based is International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 14001. Alternatives include the EMAS.

An environmental management information system (EMIS) is an information technology solution for tracking environmental data for a company as part of their overall environmental management system.

The goals of EMS are to increase compliance and reduce waste:

·         Compliance is the act of reaching and maintaining minimal legal standards. By not being compliant, companies may face fines, government intervention or may not be able to operate.

·         Waste reduction goes beyond compliance to reduce environmental impact. The EMS helps to develop, implement, manage, coordinate and monitor environmental policies. Waste reduction begins at the design phase through pollution prevention and waste minimization. At the end of the life cycle, waste is reduced by recycling.

 

Features

An environmental management system (EMS):

·         Serves as a tool, or process, to improve environmental performance and information mainly "design, pollution control and waste minimization, training, reporting to top management, and the setting of goals"

·         Provides a systematic way of managing an organization’s environmental affairs

·         Is the aspect of the organization’s overall management structure that addresses immediate and long-term impacts of its products, services and processes on the environment. EMS assists with planning, controlling and monitoring policies in an organization.

·         Gives order and consistency for organizations to address environmental concerns through the allocation of resources, assignment of responsibility and ongoing evaluation of practices, procedures and processes

·         Creates environmental buy-in from management and employees and assigns accountability and responsibility.

·         Sets framework for training to achieve objectives and desired performance.

·         Helps understand legislative requirements to better determine a product or service's impact, significance, priorities and objectives.

·         Focuses on continual improvement of the system and a way to implement policies and objectives to meet a desired result. This also helps with reviewing and auditing the EMS to find future opportunities.

·         Encourages contractors and suppliers to establish their own EMS.

EMS Model

The PDCA cycle

An EMS follows a Plan-Do-Check-Act, or PDCA, Cycle. The diagram shows the process of first developing an environmental policy, planning the EMS, and then implementing it. The process also includes checking the system and acting on it. The model is continuous because an EMS is a process of continual improvement in which an organization is constantly reviewing and revising the system. This is a model that can be used by a wide range of organizations — from manufacturing facilities to service industries to government agencies.