Development of Environmental Management System (EMS)
Background
The ultimate aim of the Environmental Management System is a good quality of life for all citizens and subsequent generations. An important assumption is that it may not be possible in the beginning to achieve all. The framework describes a journey with one step following the other and suggests that the integrated management system should be gradually expanded in scope and content. The expansion includes the gradual integration of sustainability aspects into the management system to grow the system from environmental to sustainability management.
An important road map for the journey is outlined with the Aalborg Commitments that the City Council of Lahti has signed in 2007. An integrated management system is also based on existing environmental management system (EMS) such as EMAS, ISO 14001 and ecoBUDGET, but is adapted to the needs of public authorities.
(Source: Managing Urban Europe) For more information about the Aalborg Commitments see www.aalborgplus10.dk.
Implemented measures:
- Environmental policy
- Environmental templates
- Peer reviews
- Expertise exchange visits
One of the key areas of the cooperation has been the development of Environmental Management System (EMS) for the administration of the BPDM which was first initiated in 2003 with the assistance from Mr. Sakari Autio from Lahti.
Progress in 2003-2004: Introduction of the EMS concept and the selection of suitable management elements
The concept of EMS was introduced to the politicians and officials of BPDM and suitable management elements and practices for District administration were selected. The selected elements were based on the logic of ISO 14001, which is an International Standard of Environmental Management.
Progress in 2005: Environmental management of Lahti reviewed
In BPDM, the target was to integrate EMS approach into existing management practices and especially into the Integrated Development Plan. The first EMAS Peer Review was conducted in June 2005 by the Southern partners. One-on-one interviews were conducted with representatives of the City’s administration and the Health Control and Environmental Protection Centre. A positive outcome of this Peer Review was an improved Environmental Policy for the City of Lahti.
Progress in 2006-2007: The integration of EMS elements into the management practices of BPDM reviewed
An EMS –review was conducted for South by North. The review focused primarily on how the previously selected EMS –elements had been integrated into the existing management practices of BPDM and how they could be improved. At this point, some environmental management elements were well included into the Integrated Development Plan, especially the Environmental Policy. Challenges related to the enforcement of the Environmental Policy of BPDM still remained. The enforcement required political commitment and more detailed integration of EMS into the whole Performance Management System, Service Delivery and Budget Implementation Plans of the various Departments as well as Performance Agreements of the Directors and Job Descriptions of the entire staff of BPDM.
Progress in 2008-2009: Comprehensive EMS implementation plan drawn
In BPDM, the EMS development was taken further through a comprehensive implementation plan that was developed through the appointment of a local service provider. BPDM procured through its own budget external environmental consultants to develop the environmental management system. As part of the development of this plan, experts from the City of Lahti administration were commenting on the plan in March 2009 whilst visiting Bojanala. The environmental management system plan was completed by September 2009.