Community Environmental Management Systems Drive Sustainable Outcomes
Implementing Environmental Management Systems (EMS) within communities can foster sustainable development by guiding decision-making and monitoring progress in changing ingrained consumptive behaviors.
Lincoln University Research Archive (Lincoln University) · 2008
Key Findings
- 01EMS can be adapted for community use.
- 02Structured EMS implementation can facilitate sustainable development within communities.
- 03Monitoring and review mechanisms are crucial for EMS effectiveness in communities.
Application
Design takeaway
When designing sustainability initiatives for communities, consider incorporating structured management systems that allow for goal setting, action planning, and ongoing performance monitoring.
How to apply
Develop a framework for a community-based EMS, outlining key components such as stakeholder identification, environmental objective setting, action planning, monitoring, and review processes.
Project actions
- 01Consider how a community might adopt and adapt a management system for environmental goals.
- 02Think about the different stakeholders involved in a community's sustainability efforts.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Addresses the application of established management principles to a new domain (communities).
- +Provides a framework for community-led sustainability efforts.
Limitations
The practical implementation and long-term success of a community EMS can be highly dependent on local context, resources, and community buy-in.
Reliability & validity
The reliability of findings might be limited by the qualitative nature of assessing 'sustainable outcomes' and the variability between different communities. Validity could be enhanced by comparative studies across communities with and without EMS.
Think critically
To what extent can the success of a community EMS be attributed to the system itself versus the pre-existing social and environmental capital of the community?
Design Principles
"Community engagement and structured management are key to achieving sustainable development."
This research highlights the potential for extending established business practices like EMS to the community level. It suggests that a structured approach can empower communities to actively manage their environmental impact and work towards long-term sustainability goals, moving beyond individual actions to systemic change.
What This Means for Your Design
Just like businesses use systems to manage their environmental impact, communities can use similar systems to become more sustainable by making better decisions and checking if their efforts are working.
How to use in your project
- 1.Use this research to justify the implementation of a management system for a community-focused design project aimed at sustainability.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
(2008). Is there a role for Environmental Management Systems in communities and if so can systems produce sustainable outcomes. Lincoln University Research Archive (Lincoln University). Retrieved from https://designdex.org/study/40d0f8ad-9891-464c-974a-4e4472934476/community-environmental-management-systems-drive-sustainable-outcomes
Paragraph starter
This study by Barrett (2008) suggests that Environmental Management Systems (EMS) can play a significant role in communities, enabling them to manage environmental risks and drive sustainable outcomes. By adapting EMS principles, communities can make more informed decisions and monitor progress towards changing consumptive behaviours, thereby fostering sustainable development.
Source
Lincoln University Research Archive (Lincoln University)
Is there a role for Environmental Management Systems in communities and if so can systems produce sustainable outcomes
journal · 2008
View sourceQuestions about this research
- What does the research say about community environmental management systems drive sustainable outcomes?
- When designing sustainability initiatives for communities, consider incorporating structured management systems that allow for goal setting, action planning, and ongoing performance monitoring. Evidence: Lincoln University Research Archive (Lincoln University) (2008).
- Why does "Community Environmental Management Systems Drive Sustainable Outcomes" matter for design?
- This research highlights the potential for extending established business practices like EMS to the community level. It suggests that a structured approach can empower communities to actively manage their environmental impact and work towards long-term sustainability goals, moving beyond individual actions to systemic change.
- How can designers apply this research?
- When designing sustainability initiatives for communities, consider incorporating structured management systems that allow for goal setting, action planning, and ongoing performance monitoring.
- What were the main findings?
- EMS can be adapted for community use.. Structured EMS implementation can facilitate sustainable development within communities.. Monitoring and review mechanisms are crucial for EMS effectiveness in communities.
- What research method was used?
- Literature Review and Guidance Development.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2008 journal from Lincoln University Research Archive (Lincoln University).
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- Develop a framework for a community-based EMS, outlining key components such as stakeholder identification, environmental objective setting, action planning, monitoring, and review processes.
- What are the limitations?
- The study focuses on the conceptual and procedural aspects of community EMS, with limited empirical data on the long-term impact of specific systems.
- Is there evidence that management systems affects design outcomes?
- Environmental Management Systems, commonly used by businesses, can be effectively applied to communities to help them manage environmental risks, make informed decisions about sustainability, and track their progress in adopting more sustainable practices. This research highlights the potential for extending establishe Source: Lincoln University Research Archive (Lincoln University) (2008).
- Where does this environmental management research apply?
- Community environmental planning and resource management It sits within sustainability research on designdex.org.
Related research topics
management systems design research · evidence on management systems · does management systems improve design outcomes · environmental management studies for designers · management systems and environmental management findings · sustainability research evidence