Is there a role for Environmental Management Systems in communities and if so can systems produce sustainable outcomes?

Abstract

Modern business utilises Environmental Management Systems (EMS) to help understand environmental risks and manage environmental impacts. There is a growing understanding amongst environmental professionals that if a truly sustainable future is achievable then change must not only occur within industry or large organisations but also communities. This will mean not only adopting sustainable development but changing consumptive patterns of behaviour that have been ingrained over generations. This dissertation is intended to provide information on the types of Environmental Management Systems (EMS), an assessment of their relative merits and guidance on implementing a community based EMS. This is designed to help communities not only make decisions about what EMS to use but a method for reviewing their progress and any gaps in the activities they are undertaking.