Minister Cullen launches Environmental Management systems training programme for Local Authorities

07/03/2003

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Minister Cullen Launches Environmental Management Systems Training Programme For Local Authorities

Mr. Martin Cullen, T.D., Minister for the Environment and Local Government today (6 March 2003) launched the Environmental Management Systems Training Programme for local authorities.

This Environmental Management Systems Training Programme was developed by South Tipperary County Council with the assistance of a Steering Group comprising representatives from FAS, Cork County Council, the EPA, SIPTU, Patel Tonra Ltd/Global to Local Ltd (Project Managers and Environmental Consultants to the Committee) and the Department of the Environment and Local Government.

The training programme focuses on implementation and operation of Environmental Management Systems and is designed to guide local authorities through the requirements of the EMAS Regulation (Eco Management and Audit Scheme, the EU EMS standard). The programme will provide a system for local authorities to manage and report their environmental functions and will encourage local authorities to learn from the experience of other authorities.

“Environmental management systems provide a very good and comprehensive framework for the management of environmental performance, and for the pursuit, over time, of environmental excellence, said the Minister. “Meeting the challenge means consuming less resources and energy, producing less waste and lower environmental impacts – in other words, living within our environmental means, and following a sustainable development path.”