Environmental Monitoring, Auditing,
and Reporting
A functional EMS relies on the development and
maintenance of environmental reports and documents.
EMS documentation helps managers demonstrate
performance improvement, which relies on
accurate accounting information, operations records,
and continuous monitoring and measurement of the
environmental impacts of all transportation activities.
Records should identify incidences and patterns of
non-conformance and indicate how management can
take corrective and preventive action. Managers
should supplement internal information systems
with independent EMS audits to verify performance
data and do periodic reviews to identify potential
improvement measures and adjustments needed in
the EMS.
Information drives effective internal and external
communications on environmental issues with
employees, regulators, and stakeholders. Increasingly,
corporations involved in providing logistics
services and in operating transportation facilities are
improving their environmental monitoring,
reporting, and management systems. The operators
of Swissair (1997), for example, monitor, manage and
report on progress in improving air quality, reducing
noise pollution, saving energy, and treating water.