If you're looking to improve your EcoVadis Environment score, you've come to the right place. Let's look at :

• why the Environment theme matters
• relevant standards and frameworks
• practical steps you can implement starting today to improve your EcoVadis rating.

Why Environment Matters in EcoVadis

Every industry is different but the Environment theme is one of the more important ones in the EcoVadis assessment  For many industries it accounts for a significant portion of your overall EcoVadis score. 

By focusing on areas such as energy consumption, water management, and waste reduction, you can demonstrate your commitment to environmental sustainability and boost your ratings.

Five Practical Steps to Improve your EcoVadis Environment Scores

Here are five steps you can implement to enhance your Environment performance:

1. Develop a Robust Environmental Policy: Create a comprehensive policy that outlines your commitments, objectives, and targets. Make sure it aligns with your company's values and is regularly reviewed and updated.
2. Implement an Environmental Management System (EMS): Establish an EMS (e.g., ISO 14001) to systematically manage your environmental impacts. Set clear goals, monitor progress, and continuously improve your practices.
3. Optimize Energy and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Management: Implement strategies to reduce energy consumption and GHG emissions. Track and report your energy and GHG data to demonstrate your progress. You should at least consider Scope 1 and 2. But if you are in scope of emerging regulations there is no escaping Scope 3 emissions too. Even if you are not in scope, some of your customers will likely be, requiring you to take action too. So start preparing. See some of the resources below.
4. Streamline Water and Waste Management: Adopt best practices for water conservation and waste reduction. Ensure proper recycling and disposal processes are in place and monitor your performance.
5. Engage Stakeholders: Involve employees, suppliers, and customers in your environmental initiatives. Communicate your progress and collaborate with industry partners to amplify your impact.

Relevant Standards and Frameworks for EcoVadis

To further guide your efforts, familiarise yourself with these widely recognised standards and frameworks:

• ISO 14001: international standard for environmental management systems (EMS). You can obtain certification for this standard to demonstrate your commitment to environmental management, which will get you EcoVadis points under the Certifications indicator. 
• ISO 50001: standard for energy management systems that help to optimise energy consumption and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This standard is certifiable and aimed at improving your company’s energy performance. It gets you EcoVadis points under the Certifications indicator. 
• Greenhouse Gas Protocol: a tool to help you understand, quantify, and manage your company’s greenhouse gas emissions. EcoVadis recommends using it for corporate-level and product-level GHG emissions monitoring and accounting. 
• CDP (formerly Carbon Disclosure Project): while not a standard per se, CDP provides a global disclosure system for environmental reporting. Reporting to CDP can garner EcoVadis points under the Endorsement indicator. 
• Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi): helps you set emission reduction targets that align with climate science for your company. Emission reduction targets set using SBTi can garner EcoVadis points. 
• Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards: sustainability reporting standards that include environmental metrics. Your company’s public release of a sustainability report, in accordance with GRI Standards, can garner EcoVadis points under the Reporting indicator. 

Aligning your practices with these standards and frameworks can help you structured and credible approach to Environmental sustainability.