790 Environmental Management Systems (EMS)

Step 9: Set Environmental Objectives and Action Plan

Environmental Task Strategies and Tactics

After identifying environmental objectives, organizations should develop EMS task strategies and tactics to achieve those objectives.

Usually, task strategies and tactics describe changes in work requirements and tasks performed during normal operations.

Here are some examples of task strategies and tactics:

Task strategies - things you require everyone to do as a general rule that might apply to one or more tasks. Examples include weighing the amount of recycle waste in approved containers, and using only biodegradable cleaning products for cleaning personal work areas.

Task tactics - things you do with your hands to comply with task strategy requirements. Examples include throwing all paper, plastic and metal into recycle containers, and using reusable cups and mugs for drinks.

Example: XYZ Transportation Company

Below is an example of a environmental aspect related to XYZ's transportation activity, impacts, an objective, and the strategies and tactics to reduce negative impacts of the aspect. We'll describe the impacts they may have on the environment, the objective to improve the negative impacts, and finally, the associated task strategies and tactics to achieve the objective.

• Activity: Transportation
• Aspect: Vehicle use (including agency employee commuting methods and patterns, agency employee travel).
• Impacts: Air emissions and resource depletion.
• Objective: Reduce fuel consumption by 5% in 2 years.
• Task Strategies and Tactics: Requirements and tasks that can reduce impacts include:
• Determine current fuel consumption to establish baseline data.
• Devise a system to track fuel consumption and progress.
• Encourage the use of public transportation.
• Allow telecommuting.
• Encourage the use of alternative fuels.
• Encourage walking or biking to work.
• Purchase fuel-efficient vehicles for the fleet.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.