Overview and Services
Through the implementation of an Environmental Management System (EMS), managers can
better assess the effect of the organization’s environmental impacts on operational
performance, the natural environment, and society. Using EMS models, based on the
Plan-Do-Check-Act for continual improvement in environmental performance, EMS Program
students and faculty work with managers to develop an integrated management systems
approach to optimize the efficient use of the organization's resources in meeting
performance goals.
Courses and workshops on EMS implementation, integration, and auditing provide the
first step in establishing an organizational framework for a sustainable development.
EMS integration with other management system standards such as ISO 9001 (Quality), ISO
50001 (Energy), or ISO 26000 (Social Responsibility) are evaluated to determine integration
effectiveness.
ISO 14001:2015 EMS assists managers in better understanding their organization's internal
and external context in order to establish plans to strengthen the organization's
management systems' foundation. To ensure that managers make the best decisions for
their organization, the USC EMS Program director works with the organization's management
team to develop an EMS Implementation Plan that includes:
- A GAP Analysis comparing the organization's environmental management program and ISO 14001:2015 EMS.
- A GAP Action Plan, including; timetable, costs, resources needed and a schedule for each area to be addressed.
- Strength-Weakness-Opportunities-Threats (SWOT) Analysis.
- Identification and use of management system guidance standards, e.g., ISO 31000, ISO 14044.
- EMS Team meetings and training for relevant internal and external stakeholders.
- Additional managerial or technical assistance needed throughout the implementation process.
The EMS Program director has assisted organizations in Environmental Management Systems
planning and implementation since 1993. He established the USC EMS Program in 1996
to work with managers from various types of organizations in implementing a management
systems approach to better meet the organization's environmental, social and economic
goals. Through working with USC faculty and students, and establishing partnerships
with industry experts, the USC EMS Program has assisted a variety of organizations
in the implementation of an EMS. See USC EMS Project Descriptions for a list of organizations and the specific EMS expertise our EMS teams have provided.
Contact:
Environmental Management and Sustainable Development Links:
- Environmental Management--The ISO 14000 Series of Standards
- Biodiversity Conservation Handbook - U.S. Department of Defense
- EPA-EMS
- Major Environmental Issues
- American National Standards Institute
- International Sustainability Management Education
- European Eco-Management Auditing Scheme
- Global Environmental Management Initiative
- The International Organization for Standardization
- Environmental, Health and Safety Management
- Sustainable Development Index
- International Standards
- Global Reporting Initiative
- Environmental History Timeline
- School of the Earth, Ocean and Environment
For additional information about the use of the management systems approach to Sustainable
Development please see the International Sustainability Management Education (ISME) network webpage.