Abstract
This paper does a comparative analysis and assessment of energy impacts of traditional and partly electronic ISO 14001 environmental management system auditing that using videoconferencing systems. The focus is on the Japanese automotive industry. The idea is to quantify the environmental impacts of auditing and resolve the important question on whether or not the use of information and communication technology (ICT) in environmental auditing reduces environmental impacts in ISO 14001 environmental management systems. The main results show that there are no clear energy savings or environmental advantages associated with ICT use in environmental auditing for the set system boundary. However electronic auditing is shown to have clear advantages for stated variables within the model, for example when the distance travelled by the auditors by train and by car is less than 75 km and 17 km per day respectively. A comparison of modes of travel by auditors, shows that rail travel offers the most environmental and energy benefits. It is also noted that travel dominates in terms of energy consumption and environmental burdens compared to all other environmental aspects associated with auditing. The study contributes to knowledge in that among other things, it enables researchers to draw parallels from it applicable to other industrial sectors and other countries. Southern African countries can use this methodology in analysing auditing methods with little or no changes in the model used.
Highlights
This paper analyses the energy implications of traditional auditing of environmental management systems compared to an auditing system that incorporates electronic methods like use of e-mails, Internet and teleconferencing
The thinking is that use of information and communication technology (ICT) has the potential to reduce total transportation needs, paper use and the time needed to conduct an environmental audit by providing alternative ways to arrange meetings, eliminating or reducing commuter or business travel
The results show that information and communication technology (ICT) systems do not automatically offer energy and environmental impact reductions when they are used
Summary
This paper analyses the energy implications of traditional auditing of environmental management systems compared to an auditing system that incorporates electronic methods like use of e-mails, Internet and teleconferencing. Being able to study environmental documents while the external auditors are within their own normal environment can reduce the time needed to complete an audit These assumed gains have to be compared with the extra energy consumption as a result of increased use of ICT. It is not clear if this travel reduction and substitution with electronic media has net positive impacts on the environment. In this case electronic auditing of an ISO 14001 certified environmental management system in the Japanese automotive industry is compared with traditional auditing, to attempt a resolution of this problem
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