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During the Covid lockdown some positives have come out. Many of us appear more kind & compassionate \u2013 people offering to be NHS Volunteers & helping neighbours with food shopping. We consider our health & wellbeing – families cycling down once busy roads & a significant reduction in air pollution (clearer skies with fewer cars & planes). Not just individuals, businesses are making masks & visors for NHS staff, raising money for charities or donating services to local companies or groups in need.<\/p>\n
Why should we simple return to the ‘old ways’ as we start to reopen? We have an opportunity now to change things with greater benefits for society, the planet and the economy \u2013 to build back better<\/strong>. You may have seen #BuildBackBetter trending.<\/p>\n Just think how much better it could be \u2013 healthy, clean, just. We will all benefit!<\/p>\n This reflects the UN\u2019s Sustainable Development Goals<\/em> \u2013 17 goals to achieve by 2030 for an environmental, social & economic balance across the world. Governments have signed up & it\u2019s up to all of us \u2013 individuals, public & private sector alike \u2013 to deliver them.<\/p>\n People will ask later \u201cWhat did you do during the pandemic?\u201c. To be radically innovative is scary \u2013 most companies aren\u2019t ready for this type of change, particularly if they’ve struggled to survive.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n So start small. Environmental management is just one way to help build back better<\/strong> \u2013 here are some top tips:<\/p>\n 1. Be clear about your purpose<\/strong>. Articulate your company\u2019s values & set ambitious goals to Be Better<\/em>. Senior management must lead on this, a credible \u2018champion\u2019 to broadcast the message.<\/p>\n 2. If you don\u2019t know where to start, then put in an Environmental Management System<\/strong>. An EMS provides a formalised structure for a) understanding your impacts and b) actively managing them, through your policy, targets & processes. Use the ISO 14001 standard for the EMS or if you prefer a simpler approach an Environmental Action Plan.<\/p>\n 3. Engage with your staff and suppliers<\/strong>. Staff need to understand to support you on this, plus can provide ideas of their own. Your suppliers can put in their own EMS & contribute to your own processes. Both parties have the opportunity to be creative. Partnerships will be important – be part of the business community.<\/p>\n 4. Communicate with your customers<\/strong> \u2013 this is incredibly important now. Show them you care about them, their families, their commitments & their own values. Customers are discerning, so you need to stand out to them.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n So, all this gives you a good basis to benefit society and your business. Not just a knee jerk reaction, this gives you an opportunity to change your business and challenge the existing economic models, which have proved to be so vulnerable.<\/p>\n We must Build Back Better \u2013 how wonderful would that be for you, your family and your business?<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Here is more information on:<\/p>\n Eshcon info – ISO 14001 EMS <\/a><\/p>\n Eshcon info – Environmental Action Plan<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n See also my blog on using ISO 14001 to deliver the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n _____________________<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.eshcon.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/BSI-IEMA-image.png\")
<\/p>\nUsing Environmental Management to #BuildBackBetter<\/h2>\n