Are there any recognised standards I should be aiming for?
The main internationally recognised standard for environmental management is ‘ISO 14001: Environmental Management Systems’ which specifies actual requirements for an environmental management system and applies both to those environmental aspects over which the organisation has direct control and over which it can be expected to have an influence. It is our view, however, particularly for businesses just starting to implement a green or sustainable business plan, that ISO14001, which is highly structured in its approach and management, is possibly better left until you have gained some first-hand experience of the challenges to be faced in establishing green policies and are also more aware of the resources required to fully maintain and manage them. As an alternative standard, we recommend following The Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) ‘Acorn’ scheme which has a simper five phase approach. Acorn focuses on environmental improvements that are linked to busines
