Short answer

When designing sustainability initiatives for communities, consider incorporating structured management systems that allow for goal setting, action planning, and ongoing performance monitoring.

Field: Sustainability
Source: Lincoln University Research Archive (Lincoln University) (2008)
Method: Literature Review and Guidance Development
Evidence: Moderate effect

Implementing Environmental Management Systems (EMS) within communities can foster sustainable development by guiding decision-making and monitoring progress in changing ingrained consumptive behaviors. This sustainability research insight is drawn from a 2008 study published in Lincoln University Research Archive (Lincoln University). Using Literature review and guidance development, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When designing sustainability initiatives for communities, consider incorporating structured management systems that allow for goal setting, action planning, and ongoing performance monitoring.

Study

SustainabilityHigh ImpactModerate effect

Community Environmental Management Systems Drive Sustainable Outcomes

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

AimTo explore the applicability and effectiveness of Environmental Management Systems (EMS) in community settings for achieving sustainable outcomes.

MethodLiterature Review and Guidance Development

ProcedureThe research involved reviewing existing EMS frameworks, assessing their strengths and weaknesses, and developing a guide for implementing community-based EMS, including methods for progress review and gap analysis.

ContextCommunity environmental planning and resource management

Variables

IVImplementation of Environmental Management Systems (EMS) in communities

DVSustainable outcomes (e.g., reduced environmental impact, improved resource management, changed consumptive behaviour)

CVCommunity size, existing environmental awareness, local governance structures

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

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 source

Questions 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.