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790 Environmental Management Systems (EMS)
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Environmental Objectives, Goals, and Targets

Environmental objectives describe specific outcomes that are developed to achieve overall EMS policy goals.

Image of a gas nozzle and a chart indicating fuel use
"Reduce the amount of fuel use (the goal component) by 5% within two years (the target component)."

Environmental objectives include two components:

  1. a goal component stating a general outcome, such as, "reduce the amount of fuel use;" and
  2. a target component stating a specific, quantifiable, time-limited, change such as, "by 5% within two years."

The objective's goal and target statements are designed to decrease negative aspects and impacts or increase positive impacts.

Let's say your facility generates hazardous waste. Your stated environmental objective is to reduce the level of hazardous waste generation by 10% by the year 2024. Your goal statement is to "reduce hazardous waste generation at the plant," and the target statement is, "by 10 percent by the year 2024."

When you set objectives, it is important to make sure you're able to track and measure performance or progress. Then, during each stage of the EMS process, you can report on the progress made toward achieving the objectives.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

3-4. Complete the following objective with a target component: "Reduce the amount of paper waste _____."