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ISO 14001: Everything You Need to Know

27 April, 2020

ISO 14001 is an international standard that provides guidance on implementing and managing an Environmental Management System (EMS). It is effective for organisations of all shapes and sizes, from start-ups to corporate giants.


If you want to help lower your carbon emissions, you're going to need to change a few things at work. It doesn't mean you walking miles every day to work and never turning your lights on, just a few simple compromises that will gradually help lower the emissions you produce.


The following blog will take you through why ISO 14001 is so important, the advantages to compliance and how to comply.


Environmental Concerns


Concerns around climate and environmental change have never been as prevalent in society as they are today, with more and more people coming to understand their role in a greener society.


As much as there is we can do as individuals though, making your organisation as green as possible is one of the best ways to improve both your carbon footprint and public perception. Not only that, but going green will actually cut costs for your organisation in certain areas, such as energy.


Worryingly, in spite of the Government’s plan to reduce the UK’s carbon emissions to net-zero by 2050, over a third of businesses have no plan in place.


Benefits of Going Greener


Reducing your carbon emissions can have a number of benefits for your organisation, including:


Reduced Waste, Energy and Costs


Cutting costs without cutting services or functionality is always welcomed. You can increase your organisation’s turnover by saving energy where possible. This could be something as small as opening windows rather than running air-conditioning.


Compliance and Legislation


This can be instrumental in receiving business opportunities or gaining large contracts, where active compliance is often a requirement.


Increased Stakeholder and Customer Trust


Reducing your carbon emissions could give your organisation a competitive advantage by improving your public image and impressing your organisation’s stakeholders.


How to Reduce your Organisation’s Carbon Emissions


You take your first steps towards a greener organisation with the smallest changes. In fact, you may already do some of these things.


  • Where possible, produce double-sided prints in greyscale to reduce paper waste and coloured ink use.
  • If you’re holding a meeting that requires many people to travel, consider using video-conferencing instead to reduce carbon emissions.
  • Reduce your energy expenditure by opening windows rather than using air-conditioning.
  • Chat to your colleagues and see if you live in similar areas. If so, consider car-sharing to divide your carbon footprints.
  • Assuming you live within a reasonable distance of your workplace, you could try walking or even cycling to work, both of which will cut your carbon emissions whilst also improving your health and wellbeing.
  • Another way of improving your health and your organisation’s carbon footprint is to take the stairs instead of elevators, especially if you’re only going up one or two floors.
  • While paper may grow on trees, remember to recycle it correctly using the appropriate bin. This will reduce your wastage and help sustain the environment.

Ready to learn more? Our ISO 14001 course is part of our full course catalogue, addressing key issues like your organisation's cyber security, ISO and GDPR compliance and much, much more. Click here to learn more.


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