It is generally well-accepted wisdom that what isn’t measured can’t be controlled. So measurement is important. But measurement provides more than just information on the effectiveness of controls; it also provides information on the values of the culture within which the measurements are being taken. Deciding upon environmental performance metrics can, in many cases, be not much more than a translation of regulatory requirements. However, while many, perhaps most, companies claim that their environmental performance is principally compliance driven, an examination of what they measure reveals that the organization’s concerns often go well beyond regulatory mandates. So it is important to understand not just what should be measured but also what we are trying to accomplish with our measurements. Obviously, it is important that what we measure and our management methodologies are internally and externally valid with respect our purpose for conducting these measurements. But in many cases for the results of our measurements to be useful there needs to be correspondence with earlier and subsequent measurements and, perhaps, at other locations. The subtopics in this research collaboratory will explore performance measurement and examine what we measure and why, what standards of practice exist or are developing and how we use the results of our measurements.
October 5, 2010 by AYOUB MOHAMED and | Filed under: What Should Be Measured and Why? [1,3] | 1 Comment »
http://www.earthlab.com/
It’ll give you your score compared to your region and world score.
TRY IT OUT.
Ayoub Mohamed
Waha Oil Company
Tripoli, Libya
July 29, 2009 by Brian Butler | Filed under: Sustainability Metrics [4] | No Comments »
Please follow the link below to view a powerpoint presentation on “Sustainability Metrics”, moderated by Dr. Jennifer Schneider.
May 20, 2009 by Brian Butler | Filed under: Sustainability Metrics [4] | No Comments »
Dr Schneider presented on Sustainability Metrics, during this presentation Dr Schneider described the process of defining sustainability and how it is measured using metrics. In order to effectively identify how a business is to attain sustainability, a baseline must be established. The top management must be a stakeholder and establish the policies used by the organization to achieve its goal which in this case is a sustainable business model. Once this is done, metrics can be established. This model must be developed using consistent values which when realized there can be global impacts with tangible results.
Also, please follow the link below to view a powerpoint presentation highlighting the workshop findings.
May 7, 2009 by Brian Butler | Filed under: Sustainability Metrics [4] | No Comments »
Please follow the link below to use the GRI’s searchable performance indicators.
May 7, 2009 by Brian Butler | Filed under: Sustainability Metrics [4] | No Comments »
Vesela Veleva and Michael Ellenbecker. “Indicators of sustainable production: framework and methodology”. Journal of Cleaner Production 9 (2001) 519–549.
This paper presents a new tool for promoting business sustainability — indicators of sustainable production. It first introduces the concept of sustainable production as defined by the Lowell Center for Sustainable Production, University of Massachusetts, Lowell. Indicators of sustainable production are discussed next, including their dimensions and desirable qualities. Based on the Lowell Center Indicator Framework, the authors suggest a new methodology of core and supplemental indicators for raising companies’ awareness and measuring their progress toward sustainable production systems. Twenty-two core indicators are proposed and a detailed guidance for their application is included. An eight-step model provides a context for indicator implementation. The paper concludes with a summary of the strengths and weaknesses of the methodology as well as recommendations for testing the
indicators. 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
March 16, 2009 by Brian Butler , , John Morelli , and | Filed under: Sustainability Metrics [4] | 3 Comments »
Sustainability Metrics – Metrics have been used with varying success in EHS. As the profession has matured, there have been over 25 voluntary standards put into practice relating to sustainable performance with varying levels of measurement from extremely precise to more holistic. This workshop will explore what the current metrics are related to sustainable performance measurement and surmise what they should be related to determining appropriate targets and goals.
Moderator: Dr. Jennifer L. Schneider
May 28, 2008 by Brian Butler , and admin | Filed under: Overview,What Should Be Measured and Why? [1,3] | No Comments »
For this workshop, the underlying assumption was that as a society we need to measure the environmental performance of every company, due in part to the concept that we cannot manage what we cannot measure properly. There were multiple examples of “what to measure” discussed during this workshop; for example, outcomes vs. drivers, absolute vs. relative indicators, industry specific vs. company specific, as well as measuring improvements over time.
To answer the “why” portion of this topic, the results of the workshop give the following examples of why to measure environmental performance: measuring performance can help to show the quality of the environment; regulatory compliance is another reason for performance measures; competitive advantage, as well as risk management (reduction of environmental liabilities) were also given as examples during this workshop.
With regard to the role of the environmental manager in performance measures, the workshops produced the following examples of how the environmental manager figures into this topic:
the EM is responsible for linking targets between environmental performance and corporate performance;
EMs must convince corporate managers on returns on environmental performance measurement and improvement;
EMs must communicate the results of performance measurement to stakeholders;
EMs must work toward organizing the performance management process;
EMs must also set attractive targets, specify indicators, quantify indicators, make reports for managers, and help to shift the corporate culture toward acceptance of environmental responsibilities.
April 28, 2008 by Mason Baziw | Filed under: General,What Should Be Measured and Why? [1,3] | No Comments »
Again, I am looking into the use of environmental performance indicators for measuring environmental performance. I have had some experience with ISO 14001 and find that these indicators are quite effective. It is a very difficult task as the article explains to convert some of the data into something that is useful to measure. Many aspects of environmental performance aren’t necessarily quantitative but rather qualitative in nature and it can be very difficult to come up with an effective measurement. In this article the author describes how useful EPI’s are and gives an example of Norsk Hydro. This company effectively used EPI’s to measure environmental performance and through them was able to control both costs and environmental impacts. It just shows how useful they can be and that there are many strategies to using them including: grouping into a matrix, separating each indicator and using multiple indicators. Overall, the article is quite informative and offers a detailed look into exactly how EPIs are used.
April 27, 2008 by LAUREN KERWAWYCZ , John Morelli , and | Filed under: RESEARCH CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGER QUALIFICATIONS AND CREDENTIALING,What Should Be Measured and Why? [1,3] | 2 Comments »
http://www.rit.edu/news/?v=46131
I thought the Xerox Sustinability Calculator fit well with this topic, not only because Xerox is my employer, but also because Xerox recently launched a tool to help companies put hard numbers to their behavoirs of energy use, waste, and green house emissions. This helps answer what to manage in the document mangement industry. This tool allows organizations the ability to see first hand how they can directly impact their effect on the environment. This sustainability caluclator is a new assessment tool that enables customers to use fact based measurement. Xerox and RIT are partnering to target education in research in sustainability.
April 27, 2008 by LAUREN KERWAWYCZ | Filed under: What Should Be Measured and Why? [1,3] | No Comments »
8-steps-to-becoming-greener.html
World Trade. Troy: Apr 2008. Vol. 21, Iss. 4; pg. 48, 6 pgs
Retrieved April, 2008
Proquest Document ID Number 1467174321
