Comparing and contrasting three environmental management systems currently being implemented in the New Zealand wine industry : ISO 14001, NZIWP and Bio-Gro : A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters [i.e. Master] of Applied Science (Environmental Management) at Lincoln University

Abstract

The New Zealand wine industry currently has three environmental management systems functioning within it, although which system best helps companies to internalize externalities, while directing companies towards sustainability remains to seen. The object of this research is to develop evaluation criteria based on TBL criteria, as well as marketing, legal, resource and image issues in order to inform industry participants, consumers and environmental regulators of the comparative advantages and disadvantages of each system. 15 companies have been surveyed using qualitative in - depth interviews in order to obtain the information necessary to evaluate each system. To aid the implementation and success of an environmental management system within a wine company, management should consider the Triple Bottom Line criteria -environmental, social and economic elements. Additionally, the intrinsic characters of the industry should be considered. ISO 14001, NZIWP and Bio- Gro have been compared against a list of evaluation criteria. The orientation - goal or process - plays an integral part in the outcomes of each system. NZIWP appears to have the most advantages that are directly related to current issues hampering the New Zealand wine industry due to its goal orientation; however, it is the process orientated nature of ISO 14001 that allows more room for the company to evolve within the industry. The cost of certification and the paperwork involved for each system appear to be two major concerns from a company perspective. As wine companies aim for sustainability, they are better placed for having adopted a formal environmental system, which provides the necessary direction and /or processes required to be environmental, socially and economically successful. From this research it appears that companies benefit from the implementation of an industry specific system, such as NZIWP, and combining to it with a generic framework, such as ISO 14001, that will aid in the development of processes and structure. This idea can be simulated for other industries in New Zealand. A large portion of responsibility for the implementation of these environmental management systems falls on the consumers who ultimately demand 'green' products, thus compelling wine producing companies to aim for sustainability.