How do you measure your facility's environmental performance?

1 Environmental Performance Indicators

One of the first steps to measure your environmental performance is to define and track some key environmental performance indicators (EPIs) that reflect your goals and priorities. EPIs are quantitative or qualitative measures that show how well you are managing your environmental aspects, such as energy use, waste generation, water consumption, emissions, and biodiversity. EPIs can help you to set targets, benchmark your performance against industry standards or best practices, and communicate your results to stakeholders.

2 Environmental Management System

Another way to measure your environmental performance is to implement an environmental management system (EMS) that provides a systematic and structured approach to managing your environmental aspects and impacts. An EMS is a set of policies, procedures, and practices that help you to comply with environmental regulations, prevent pollution, and continually improve your environmental performance. An EMS can also help you to identify and address any gaps or risks in your environmental management and performance. There are various standards and frameworks for EMS, such as ISO 14001, EMAS, or Green Globes.

3 Environmental Audit

A third method to measure your environmental performance is to conduct an environmental audit that evaluates your compliance with environmental laws and regulations, your adherence to your EMS, and your achievement of your EPIs and targets. An environmental audit is a systematic and independent assessment that can help you to identify any non-compliances, deviations, or opportunities for improvement in your environmental management and performance. An environmental audit can also provide you with recommendations and action plans to address any issues or gaps.

4 Environmental Reporting

A fourth way to measure your environmental performance is to prepare and publish an environmental report that discloses your environmental policies, objectives, actions, and results. An environmental report is a document that communicates your environmental performance to your internal and external stakeholders, such as employees, customers, investors, regulators, and the public. An environmental report can also demonstrate your commitment, accountability, and transparency in environmental management and performance. There are various guidelines and frameworks for environmental reporting, such as GRI, CDP, or SASB.

5 Environmental Feedback

A fifth method to measure your environmental performance is to collect and analyze environmental feedback from your stakeholders, such as surveys, interviews, reviews, or ratings. Environmental feedback is a source of information that can help you to understand how your stakeholders perceive your environmental performance, what their expectations and preferences are, and how satisfied they are with your environmental practices and outcomes. Environmental feedback can also help you to identify any strengths, weaknesses, or areas for improvement in your environmental performance.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?