ISO14001 - Environmental Scent in Globalized Sense

The chemistry of how EMS affects organization is pretty much a chemistry. The world is the entire complex compound. Organizations, governments, consumers, trade associations etc., are molecules that constitutes this compound and each molecule is comprised of several elements. So, a business organization is an element which belongs to a group of molecule known as businesses. As an element, it consists of neutron (shareholders and capital), proton (assets: operational equipment, workers, etc), and electron (fund reserves, profit or surplus - money). The environment is where the compound, molecules and elements resides and also where all the interactions and exchanges takes place. Most importantly, the environment contains all the supplies that we need.

The organization, as an element in this chemistry, which subscribes to EMS ISO14001 is the centre of our discussion. As ordinary people we can’t see its neutron, protons and electrons with our naked eye. However, some other elements around it are authorized the benefit of using mechanisms or instruments that can see what constitutes an organization. And these special elements may well be auditors from governments or banks! 

Hence, an organization as an element itself, is surrounded by many other molecules. In this discussion the organization is a conventional business entity. It could be a small company or a huge multi-billion corporate. A small organization or company may have smaller capital thus its chemistry may display only one level of ‘outer-orbit’ with very few electrons (money) on it. If this company borrows some electrons from a bank which has that much of electrons and so many levels of stable orbits, then, this company is actually operating with the bank’s money. The bank literally owns the company that virtually makes money for them. They now forms a molecule where the bank is the dominant element (creditor) whereby the company (debtor) must service them promptly. 

Similarly, in physical chemistry the bank is regarded as an ‘oxiding agent’. In this chemistry, the bank element is not visible to public eyes! When the company paid all its dues, thus, with subsequent net earnings and profits, its neutron and proton grow in certain dimension. The gained prosperity and can be seen by the public. For example, a new building extension, a new factory in China, or a new diversification into F1 or B.P.L sponsorships. Yes, the public could also see its CEO flashing a brand new Mercedes to work and occasionally the MD in his Bentley when he comes for a short visit. 

The richer stakeholders are less visible as they spend most of their time in Monte Carlo, perhaps, or otherwise anywhere around the world where people love their flow-friendly electrons, charity of cause. On the other hand, if this company fails to reimburse borrowed electrons from it creditor banks, they may not be visible at all. They winded up. So, with this crude analogy, I believe we can imagine and comprehend the effects of all the ‘interested parties’ or influencing factors to an organization. The difference in effect to organizations is naturally ‘where they come from’ and ‘where and what and how much they invest’. After all, rich organizations contributes to governments’ wealth. Don’t they? In other words they are the super-chargers of powerful economies around the world. Aren't they?

What have they got to do with ISO14001 and the Environment?

The environment bears life-supplies to mankind. Throughout our history we have been feeding rapaciously on the perceived abundance. Then, several experts diagnosed that its reservoirs are depleting and damaged. The adversities are worrying.  We debated that managing this heritage is everyone’s responsibility. The banality of this global-scale debate was finally tabled in the first Earth Summit in Rio De Jenerio in 1992 where ‘Sustainable Development’ and ‘Agenda 21’ was recommended as the global health diet. Later, the Strategic Action Group on the Environment (SAGE) and its subsequent technical committee TC207 were formed to formulate a standard recipe for an EMS - The ISO14001.

Besides this standard the world are also obliged to a number of related agreements achieved in environmental conventions where its respective treaties are subsequently translated into local laws and guidelines amongst member nations. A few examples are:

• Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer;
• United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol;
• Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Wastes and the Disposal;
• Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade;
• Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants.;
• Ramsar Convention on The Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971);
• OSPAR Convention on international cooperation on the protection of the marine environment of the North-East Atlantic;
• Helsinki Convention (1974) The Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area;
• Barcelona Convention  on the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea against Pollution and its relevant protocols;

   Langkawi Declaration on the Environment was a declaration issued by the assembled Heads of Government of the Commonwealth of Nations on the issue of environmental sustainability.

Therefore these and other similar conventions and declarations are commitments among member states on their respective collective agreements. Hence, organizations residing in these states are advised to identify if any local laws, guidelines or other binding documents are promulgated and being imposed upon them. This, apart from local environmental laws and permits, shall be identified, classified and interpreted under clause 4.3.2 ISO14001’s element named ‘Legal and Other Requirements’.

Environmental Scent in Globalized Sense. This is our quest for survival, economic viability and sustainable development. Thus, a continuance of our co-existence? - presumably.

Noteworthy: If time, energy and ‘lust’ permits I’d begin displaying examples of ‘environmental aspects’ from various industries as a guide for concerned ISO14001 EMS committee members, environmental auditors, young consultants. lecturers, students etc., who may want to verify their work.  Wish me well.