Set environmental objectives that drive continuous improvement
Your environmental objectives should align with your organisation's overall goals, address current and emerging threats, and focus on continuous improvement. It is good practise to set new objectives each year and expected if you are complying with standards including ISO 14001.
It is important that you have a clear plan of how you are going to achieve each objective and who is responsible for each step. Where necessary, Actions should be raised for the tasks required to achieve the objective.
The objectives should be approved by senior management and then reviewed on a regular basis to monitor progress.
It's good practice to have separate Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for your annual information security objectives. Separate KPIs help you measure the progress and effectiveness of each objective individually, ensuring that you're on track to achieve your goals. They also provide clarity and focus for your team, allowing you to identify areas that may need more attention or resources. Review this article on creating and tracking KPI's.
Example Environmental Objectives:
Objective: Achieve ISO 14001 Certification
Plan of Action: Engage consultant, implement ISO compliant EMS, Build, sign-off and share the policies on the Adoptech platform. Implement and document effective processes. Conduct internal audits and management reviews.
Target: Certification, zero outstanding NCs and actions
Objective: Reduce electricity consumption by 10% across all offices,
Plan of Action: Upgrade to LED lighting, implement light timers, replace monitors with energy efficient models, switch off devices when not in use, staff awareness campaigns
Target: 10% reduction in kWh consumed by end of YYYY compared to the YYYY baseline.
Objective: Ensure staff awareness of their EMS responsibilities and embed them in to day to day activities
Plan of Action: All staff have read and accepted all EMS policies, all staff have received EMS training.
Target: 100% of staff received EMS training
Objective: Implement a sustainable procurement programme
Plan of Action: Document the aims of the sustainable procurement programme. Outline criteria and process for assessing suppliers. Ensure 50% of suppliers meet environmental criteria by YYYY
Target: X% of suppliers assessed and approved.