At our recent Sustainability Shorts Webinar, Groundwork Sustainable Business Services Consultant Becky Rolf explored how implementing an Environmental Management System (EMS) and achieving ISO 14001 certification can help organisations strengthen their environmental performance, improve compliance, and build long-term resilience.
In case you missed the webinar, we’ve produced this short blog detailing the topics which Becky covered:
What is an Environmental Management System?
An EMS provides a structured framework for managing environmental responsibilities. It helps organisations:
- Reduce their environmental impact
- Improve sustainability and efficiency
- Ensure legal and regulatory compliance
- Embed continual improvement across business operations
The Benefits of Implementing an Environmental Management System
Businesses that adopt an EMS typically see:
- Reduced environmental impact through smarter resource use and waste management
- Regulatory compliance, helping avoid fines and reputational risks
- Improved risk management and preparedness for emergencies
- Operational efficiency and cost savings
- Enhanced reputation and stakeholder trust
- New opportunities, particularly with clients and supply chains that require certification
ISO 14001 – The Gold Standard for Environmental Management Systems
ISO 14001 is the international standard for Environmental Management Systems, developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). It can be applied to any organisation, regardless of size or sector, and provides a framework to plan, implement, monitor, and continually improve environmental performance.
Core Elements of ISO 14001
The standard is structured around seven key clauses:
- Context of the Organisation – understanding internal and external environmental issues
- Leadership & Commitment – senior management responsibility and policy setting
- Planning – identifying environmental aspects, legal requirements, and setting objectives
- Support – ensuring resources, competence, and communication are in place
- Operational Control & Emergency Response – managing key activities and risks
- Performance Evaluation – monitoring, measuring, and auditing performance
- Improvement – driving continual progress through corrective and preventive actions
The PDCA Cycle: Plan, Do, Check, Act
At the heart of ISO 14001 is the PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) cycle:
- Plan: Identify environmental aspects, risks, and objectives
- Do: Implement actions and operational controls
- Check: Monitor performance and conduct audits
- Act: Review results and make improvements
Your Path to ISO 14001 Certification
The journey to ISO 14001 certification typically includes:
- Gap Analysis – identifying current strengths and weaknesses
- Documentation & Implementation – creating and applying the EMS framework
- Internal or Third-Party Audit – ensuring systems work effectively
- External Audit – by an accredited certification body
- Ongoing Management – maintaining and improving the system over time
Coming Soon – ISO 14001 Revisions
Next year will see a revision of ISO 14001 reflecting the growing importance of environmental accountability and climate resilience. ISO 14001:2026 revision will strengthen the standard’s focus on:
- Climate change and biodiversity
- Pollution prevention and full lifecycle impact
- Supplier management and outsourced processes
- Emergency planning and communication
How Groundwork Can Help
Groundwork Sustainable Business Services offers tailored support to help organisations achieve ISO 14001 certification and improve environmental performance. Our expert consultants provide:
- EMS development and implementation
- Legal compliance support
- Carbon management and reporting
- Independent verification and audits
- Training and capacity building