An Environmental Management System (EMS) is an internal system developed to help a company continuously improve its environmental performance. By establishing an EMS, companies can identify their most significant environmental risks and develop a mitigation plan to address those risks (often through a plan, do, check, act methodology).

Based on an analysis of responses by more than 11,000 contractors and suppliers to ISN’s company-level Sustainability Questionnaire, nearly 60% of companies have implemented an EMS. Larger companies have a higher rate of EMS adoption, with differing rates of adoption across industry sectors.

Evaluating Environmental Performance and Tracking KPIs
Every company can improve its own environmental footprint, although the specific metrics tracked will vary by industry and company size. Once an EMS is in place, companies will need to determine criteria and metrics to evaluate their environmental performance. Examples of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) tracked include the total volume of waste generated and total energy consumption across the company.

A small subset of companies in the Sustainability Questionnaire analysis reported a strategy to evaluate performance of their EMS or to track KPIs related to environmental performance.

Environmental Issues included in an EMS Implementation
While the scope and applicability of environmental issues can vary among companies and industries, a few key issues are at the forefront of attention, regardless of industry. These key topics include:

• greenhouse gas emissions
• renewable energy use
• water conservation policies
• waste management strategies

Data-Driven Solutions
While the importance of sustainable operations has moved up on the priority scale, setting ESG targets and disclosing performance related to these targets are difficult for many companies. Because contractors and suppliers can have a direct impact on risks and metrics, consideration of contractors’ and suppliers’ sustainability data can help Hiring Clients achieve their own sustainability goals.

To address the challenges created by the complexity of ESG compliance, ISN has leveraged its data and tools to collect and analyze contractor and supplier information pertaining to ESG.

ISN developed an analysis, including responses from more than 11,000 contractors and suppliers, to provide data on the current ESG risks in contractor bases and supply chains. The 2021 ISN ESG White Paper offers direction to companies on the opportunities for ESG initiatives.

Request a copy of ESG White Paper to get access to more data and the analysis of sustainability information from ISN's contractors and suppliers.

Let ISN Help
ISN’s global contractor management platform, ISNetworld, supports an extensive network of nearly 700 Hiring Clients that leverage the platform’s tools and data, including the ability to capture and review sustainability information on their connected contractors and suppliers.

If you are a current ISN Hiring Client subscriber, contact your account representative about incorporating sustainability into your contractor and supplier information management program.

If you are a Hiring Client interested in learning more about ISN’s contractor management system to help you reach your sustainability goals, request a demo of ISNetworld.