The perceived benefits of an environmental management standard

Abstract

An exploratory pilot study identifying the perceived benefits of accreditation to an environmental management standard, BS 7750, in 13 UK companies. This paper begins by exploring the benefits of “going green”, followed by a description of the different environmental management standards. Then the methodology of the study is explored, including the structure of the questionnaire and the sample breakdown. The results section follows, detailing the broad results at each of the three stages of the questionnaire. Main findings are summarised in the conclusion followed by an indication of the future direction of the work. The paper concludes by identifying that the main benefit for companies in gaining an environmental management standard would appear to be the ability to quantify and identify elements of the environmental management process in the company, allowing a company to measure, manage and audit within a structured, recognised format.