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Why ISO 14001 is relevant to a sustainable initiative?
Nobody can be certain about the date of the "sustainable revolution but it can be argued that the turning point came after Al Gore won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007 for his work on Climate Change. Of course I referring to the documentary film (docufilm): "An Inconvenient Truth."
These days it is almost unworthy of any company – large or small – not having a program that addresses (or intended) the issuance of best practice sustainable or environmentally friendly processes.
Within the IT community, I seen my fair share of ads for their IT vendors 'green' plans. I've talked to a few top executives who are more than happy to share their views as to what their companies are doing in terms of green. And you know what? I remain a skeptic because I've seen enough initiatives type receiving vaporware announced with much publicity, but no substance to back it up.
So it is encouraging to know that there are some companies that have incorporated a silent green initiative internally, long before Al Gore docufilm.
The Fujitsu-Way
Take the case of Fujitsu, a company Japan specializing in semiconductors, computers, telecommunications and services. Historians claim that the company started its way to the green in 1935 at the behest of its founder, Manjiro Yoshimura.
Although the green initiative was not formalized until 1992, the company began the deployment of environmental control systems through its factories by 1972. ( click here for a list of environmental activities ) of the company "Green Policy 21" was the basis for the establishment of environmental management system (EMS) framework now provides a common management structure for to meet environmental regulations.
However, "Green Policy 21" is not limited to the internal operations of Fujitsu. It has been expanded to include business partners and suppliers who are part of the company's supply chain.
Fujitsu joins the ranks of over 130,000 worldwide companies that have achieved ISO 14001:2004 certification, the rule was first published in 1996. Fujitsu achieved worldwide ISO 14001 certification in March 2006 with an EMS framework covers more than 126,000 employees.
ISO 14001 – the benchmark of all things green
ISO 14001 environmental management concerns. "This refers to an organization does to minimize harmful effects on the environment caused by its activities and to ensure continuous improvement in environmental performance, "said Alan Bryden, ISO Secretary-General **.
Why ISO 14001? Apart from the recognition that the company has an environmental policy, what does one profit corporation with a certificate?
Bryden notes that there is mounting worldwide pressure on both private and public sectors to demonstrate accountability to the environment. "An environmental management system based on ISO 14001 provides a structured and systematic approach that enjoys international recognition," Bryden added.
ISO 14001 is a process based, not one based on performance standard. The focus is on establishing internal policies procedures, objectives and goals. It is not an isolated project, but one that calls for continuous improvement.
According to Russell V. Thornton, manager of environmental certification Det Norske Veritas (DNV *), ISO 14001 does not explain how to achieve the objectives, or to quantify the required level or type of performance improvement. Compliance with applicable laws is required, but the use of the standard is voluntary. Self is an option.
Thornton says that "the certified companies report increased operating efficiency, commercial advantages, more organized and systematic enforcement, regulatory flexibility, and recognition of the community. Companies certified have identified the economic benefits such as improved shareholder value, and have experienced some reduction of trade barriers "
The pressure to carry out a green initiative is not always voluntary. IT vendors are increasingly under pressure by customers of the company to be seen as green or face get off the list of approved suppliers.
"Within the next few years may not be possible to conduct business in most of the world unless they can prove their "green" credentials, "says Bob Hayward, Director of IT Advisory at KPMG.
Hayward notes that being green is seen as a competitive differentiator. "Many organizations are willing to pay more for green products and services, since in the long term this will save them money," He adds.
As an industry that has long been used to exaggerate new capabilities, one would wonder whether this "green" initiative among providers of IT is nothing more than a fad.
Hayward believes that providers like Google, HP, Dell, Microsoft and Fujitsu have embarked on major programs and investment to design, build and deliver more environmentally friendly products. Following a green initiative is neither trivial nor cheap. It is a commitment to investment serious question.
For example, Fujitsu invested ¥ 19,430,000,000 in 2007 in a series of environmental initiatives such as pollution prevention, the global environmental conservation, R & D and environmental remediation.
Can you sell green without being one yourself?
Phillip Sargeant, Gartner Vice President of Management recognizes that it is possible, but the IT vendors that have deployed a green initiative has a strong story to tell business customers seeking to understand how to design, build and deploy a sustainable or green initiative.
The right approach to green
Can not be green unless you are willing to spend a "green" (dollars). Like all other exercises of ISO 14001 certification is not cheap. "If the sole purpose is to obtain a certificate to hang on the wall, then the cost may actually be high and the organization can be found, so the certificate is the passport for companies that are imagined, "said Bryden.
Sargeant concerned that green equals green only in energy savings – in other words, savings money. It is much more than that. "Green can be associated with recycling, better management of the supply chain, better use of technology to reduce costs General operating – such as the use of telepresence technology in favor of physically performing travel for business meetings, "says Sgt.
The cost savings should not be the alpha and omega of a green initiative. "In the future, we must think about sustainability. Organizations need to change their way of thinking of the simple saving dollars to do something for the rest of society – social responsibility. Many organizations are still not there, " Sargeant adds.
Bryden concurs and offers his thoughts.
"If application, with or without certification, is seen as an investment that there should be a change, then the cost may be balanced by savings in the use of materials, energy and transport, waste reduction. Whether or not an organization carries out ISO 14001, it will become more and more difficult for the management of organizations to ignore environmental issues – And this ignorance has a high potential cost, "concludes Bryden.
* DNV is a provider of management systems of accredited certification services worldwide.
** ISO (International Organization for Standardization) is the world's largest developer and publisher of International Standards with a network of institutes national standards of 157 countries, one member per country, with a Central Secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland, that coordinates the system.
About the Author
Current I am the content director and web strategist for Questex Asia Ltd. I also have 6 years of Marketing and Communications experience with Hitachi Data Systems in Asia. Other prior stints include senior industry analyst for Dataquest (a Gartner Group brand) and account director at Euan Barty Associates – a PR firm in Hong Kong.
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