Environmental Performance Indicators and Their Evaluation
Environmental Performance Indicators (EPI):
❑ The standard identifies two categories of EPI :- operational performance indicators (OPIs) and management performance indicators (MPIs).
❑ A third category — environmental condition indicators (ECI) — measures how an organization’s activities, products, and services interact with the natural environment at a local, regional, national, or global level.
❑ ISO 14031 provides guidance on the selection of indicators, the measurement and monitoring processes, and the subsequent use of the validated data.
Typical EPIs in the first two categories may include:
MPIs relate to the management system and address:
- Policy issues and development, e.g., effectiveness of environmental commitments.
- Resource allocation and purchasing.
- Human resource issues, e.g., staff training.
- Planning and practices, e.g., which objectives are being pursued and achieved.
- Conformance with regulations and audit programs.
OPIs relate to the performance of operations, including:
- Inputs: Energy, materials, utilities, and contractor services.
- Throughputs: Design, installation, operation, and maintenance of buildings, materials used, process equipment, and other facilities.
- Outputs: Process emissions, trade effluent, emissions to air, solid and liquid wastes, noise, vibration, light, dust, litter, odor, and radiation.