Chapter 11 - Environmental management systems in mass transit

Abstract

An environmental management system (EMS) is a structured framework under which an entity can manage environmental impacts. Many transit agencies have embraced an EMS to ensure compliance, include sustainability initiatives in projects and programs, and include mitigation measures that go beyond compliance to help protect the environment. An EMS includes an environmental policy, an internal review of activities that identify the most significant environmental aspects, the establishment of environmental benefit programs, the monitoring and measurement of environmental metrics, and the setting up of objectives and targets to achieve specified goals. The ISO 14001 EMS standard is the world’s most recognized best management practice in evaluating and certifying environmental management systems. An EMS is centered around communication and awareness of environmental issues, with the intent to have participation and understanding from every corner of an agency, facility, or department. It also requires uncovering all laws and regulations that must be followed to comply. Ultimately, an EMS is a management tool to help an agency make well balanced decisions, by considering impacts on the environment and measure environmental performance to validate continuous improvement.