Setting Objectives and Targets

1. Setting Objectives and Targets EPA Regions 9 & 10 and The Federal Network for Sustainability

2. Objectives After this discussion, you should be able to: • Define EMS objectives and targets • Give examples of each • List approaches to setting objectives and targets

3. Overview • Definitions • Examples • Setting Objectives and Targets

4. Definitions An EMS objective is an overall goal arising from the environmental policy statement set by the organization. An EMS target is a detailed measurable performance requirement related to the objective.

5. Organizations Shall Consider: • Legal and other requirements • Significant environmental aspects • Technological options • Financial, operational and business requirements • Views of interested parties

6. Examples Objective: Increase solid waste diversion Target: Achieve a 60% diversion rate for all solid waste by the year 2005.

7. Examples Objective: Reduce energy consumption Target: Reduce energy consumption by 25% by the year 2005 based on a 2000 calendar year baseline.

8. Examples Objective: Improve environmental compliance Target: Reduce the number of external environmental compliance audit findings by 50% on an audit-to-audit basis.

9. Examples Objective: Reduce transportation congestion Target: Increase the number of employee-days of mass transit use by 50% by the year 2006 based on a 2002 calendar year baseline. Target: Purchase 25 bicycles for use within the facility by the year 2004.

10. Setting Objectives and Targets • Start with Planning data • Goal setting workshop? • EMS Coordinator recommendations? • EMS Team recommendations? • Management Priorities?

11. Start with Planning Data • List of activities, products, and services • Aspects register • Significant aspects • Legal & other requirements • Any other data collected for EMS • Costs • Labor • Community concerns

12. Build a Comprehensive Picture • Prepare professional quality executive summary of data • (a/k/a baseline, benchmark, footprint) • Include: • agency policy • community concerns • management priorities • cost data • future missions of facility or agency

13. Advantages: Encourages “buy in” Raises awareness Opportunity for training Views of interested parties can be identified Sets very ambitious goals Disadvantages: Expensive Raises expectations Time consuming Sets very ambitious goals Goal Setting Workshop

14. Advantages: Inexpensive Not time consuming Easy for EMS Coordinator EMS Coordinator Recommendations Disadvantages: • Doesn’t encourage “buy-in” • Requires senior manager support and outreach to org. • Limited by knowledge of EMS coordinator • Views of interested parties may be missed

15. Advantages: Encourages “buy in” Raises awareness for group Opportunity for training More resources for roll-out EMS Team Disadvantages: • Still requires roll-out • Requires senior management buy-in • May miss views of interested parties

16. Advantages: Starts with management “buy in” Inexpensive Encourages awareness Management Priorities Disadvantages: • May require “translation” into reality • May not go far enough • May not have “buy in” from all personnel • May miss views of interested parties

17. Summary • Goal setting is key to moving EMS forward • Start with existing EMS policy, significant E. aspects/impacts • Encourage buy-in of all stakeholders • Aim high!

18. Exercise 5: Setting Objectives & Targets