Environmental Issues in Business

Question: Discuss about theEnvironmental Issues in Business. Answer: Strengths and Weaknesses of Environmental Management Systems using ISO 14001 Environmental Management System (EMS) is defined as a structured framework that manages the environmental impacts and aspects of an organization. The framework has been adopted by some organizations as specified in the national and international standards as per the requirements of the EMS and invites external analysis of the systems. However, other organizations have designed their EMS in various informal ways and have the standards assessed to prove when they are as per the standards of the international EMS. On the other hand, ISO 140001 globally used by virtually every sector with a major aim of exploring whether the ISO 140001 series is a beneficial framework that can promote continuous improvement of the environment in different organizations[1]. As a result, it is essential to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the EMS using the ISO 14001. Different scholars have reported various strengths that the ISO 14001 certification contributes as an environmental management procedure. The certification helps in improving the credibility and image of the organization since most consumers are much interested in the steps taken by the companies producing their goods towards conserving the environment. The certification hence helps the organization to demonstrate environmental management system that can identify and control any negative environmental impact. ISO 14001 certification also enables organizations to comply with the legal requirements geared towards environmental conservation. It hence promotes the identification, monitoring, and compliance with different environmental requirements that will help the organization to maintain its compliance. Implementation of the framework will thus help people to improve their environment and at the same time have a proven framework that can help in complying and identifying with differen t regulatory, legal, and contractual requirements that can boost the cost of the improvement. In such a manner it helps organizations to adopt quicker processes of improvement as well as benefit from higher rates of success in trying to implement the changes. As a voluntary and generic standard that can be adopted by any organization, the ISO 14001 certification also have different weaknesses. For instance, there are difficulties experienced in the interpretation of the environmental aspects of different organizations. Similarly, since it is a voluntary process, many organizations adopt ISO 14001 certification with a hope that it will miraculously improve their system of the environment without the commitment of the top management. Many organizations thus find it difficult to effectively identify indirect effects such as supply and contractor management, purchasing policies, etc. While implementing or adopting the ISO 14001 certification, it is necessary for an organization to evaluate and understand the strengths and weaknesses of the framework[2]. It is a step that is vital in ensuring that adoption of the framework becomes beneficial to the organization. With the right motive of the certification, the organization can benefit from the strengths and design strategies ways to address the weaknesses that come with its adoption. Both the management and the employees hence need to be aware of the environmental benefits they will be gunner from adopting the system as part of their environmental sustainability policy and frameworks. Sustainable Consumption and Becoming a Sustainable Consumer Sustainable consumption can be defined as the use of goods and services that brings better life in responding to the basic needs while minimizing the use of natural resources emission of wastes and pollutants, and toxic materials over the life cycle with the aim of jeopardizing the basic needs of the future generation[3]. In other words, it is the umbrella term bringing the together different key issues like meeting basic needs, enhancing the quality of life increasing the use of renewable energy, improving the efficiency of resources, and accounting for the equitable distribution of natural resources. Putting together all the components helps in providing the same or even better services in meeting the basic requirements of life while aspiring for the improving the current and future generation. The key issue is hence the necessary improvement of environmental quality through substitution of less pollutant and more efficient goods and services as well as the level of consumption of the goods and services within the environment[4]. Underlying the ongoing debate on the necessity of sustainable consumption of the natural resources is increasing the awareness of national economic policy reforms necessary to ensure the use of goods and services also reflect environmental costs while stimulating more sustainable consumption and production patterns. However, it is denoted that the risk remains in increasing consumption volume in a manner that outweighs the improvement and efficiency. Such challenges occur when the opportunities for growth comes into conflict with moves geared towards sustainable consumption. As a result, it is necessary that everyone understands the possibility of such conflicts to achieve sustainable consumption. It is hence necessary to understand some of the ways that can be adopted to achieve sustainable consumption[5]. In the process of achieving a sustainable consumption of the resources around us, one can adopt different steps to become sustainable. For instance, the following steps can be adopted for an individual to become a sustainable consumer. Evaluating an effective consumer value certification; In most cases, consumers tend to believe in third-party certification as the best way of verifying the social and environmental claims of a product. However, it is necessary that an individual understands labeling schemes as well as different standards of metrics that promote sustainable stewardship towards the environment. Education and sustainability consumption awareness- Correcting the information deficits of consumers is not enough. For instance, smokers continue to smoke despite the continued awareness of the health risks involved in the process. Similarly on sustainable consumption, emphasizing on the human benefits of ethical behavior towards the sustainable environment is a vital factor tha t will promote a genuine emotional connection to deliver positive benefits[6]. Adopting sustainable consumption as a way of life- sustainable consumption should not be a maybe but a must. In the normal business process, the companies tend to embed messages concerning sustainability of the packaging. However, it is necessary that every individual understands the need for sustainable consumption of resources and adopt it as a way of life. For instance, it is necessary that every individual adopts the use of renewable energy sources, minimize wastes, and enhance the quality of life by reducing pollution so as to reduce resource efficiency. Creating awareness of the best ways of adopting equitable distribution among other strategies that motivate satisfaction and protection for future use are also necessary to promote individuals to become sustainable consumers[7]. Bibliography Dermody, Janine, Stuart Hanmer-Lloyd, Nicole Koenig-Lewis, and Anita Lifen Zhao. 2015. "Advancing sustainable consumption in the UK and China: the mediating effect of pro-environmental self-identity."Journal Of Marketing Management31, no. 13-14: 1472-1502.Business Source Premier, EBSCOhost(accessed October 30, 2016). Eccleston, Charles. "Integrating Sustainable Development with a Consolidated NEPA/ISO 14001 EMS, Redux."Environmental Practice12, no. 1 (March 2010): 18-34.GreenFILE, EBSCOhost(accessed October 30, 2016). Lozano, Macarena, and Jos Valls. 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