Indicates whether the organization has an environmental management system in place.
Organizations should footnote relevant details about their environmental management system and how it is being implemented. See usage guidance for further information.
This metric is intended to capture whether an organization has implemented an environmental management system. Examples of details on an environmental management system to footnote may include whether there are written policy documents, stated objectives and targets, relevant programming, and periodic auditing and evaluation practices.
Organizations can refer to the following sources for further guidance on environmental management systems:
Metrics identified as "cross-category" are those that are relevant to any IRIS+ Impact Category or Impact Theme (i.e., these metrics are not specific to any particular industry/category or theme).
June 2022 - IRIS v5.3 Released (current version)
Immaterial change. Minor revision to usage guidance for clarity.
January 2020 - IRIS v5.1 Released
No change.
May 2019 - IRIS v5.0 Released
No change.
March 2016 - IRIS v4.0 Released
No change.
March 2014 - IRIS v3.0 Released
Material change. Metric definition and response format modified to provide clarity based on best practices and standard guidance.
November 2011 - IRIS v2.2 Released
No change.
February 2011 - IRIS v2.1 Released
Immaterial change. Minor revision to definition language for clarity.
September 2010 - IRIS v2.0 Released
New metric. Environmental Management System (OI1254) was developed via the Environment, Energy & Water Working Group.
IRIS Metrics Work Better in Sets
To use IRIS metrics—and the resulting data—to understand impact performance, IRIS metrics should be used and analyzed in generally accepted sets and according to well-defined objectives. IRIS+ gives you access to generally accepted Core Metrics Sets aligned to common Impact Themes and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).