Environmental Sustainability Management Systems and Regulations

Abstract

Business activities have significant potential for generating impacts on the environment as a result of their environmental aspects. Businesses also tend to locate in areas of dense population in an attempt to maximize resources, which are true for Lagos state and other coastal cities in Nigeria. Population growth thus makes the case for the natural environment very compelling, but the growing population needs to change its habits if it wants to be sustainable. 

It is possible that Governments can be caught up in an outmoded mindset that sees conflicts between profitability and sustainability, but this does not have to be the case. Recognizing and resolving government’s environmental aspirations, social responsibilities and business development is possible through an integrated management system.

A similar single sustainability management system derived from ISO 9001 quality management system and ISO 14001 environmental management system audit programs  was created by BMT Group UK in 2009, which was accredited in 2010. This paper summarizes the essentials of their contribution to growing environmental management challenges.

The generic qualities of both standards properly implemented and embedded in a communication concept based methodology would move environmental performance from a compliance and measurement activity to one that adds value to business which directly or indirectly engages it stakeholders, address socio-economic needs and promote environmental stewardship.