ISO 14001

I am a partner at DLA Piper LLP (US), which with its 3,500 or so lawyers in 28 countries, is one of the largest law firms in the world.  And we are working hard on going green.

Several years ago, it became evident to the management of the firm that having a meaningful commitment to sustainability would be an important factor to be considered by potential clients when deciding whether to retain us for legal services.  But our motivations are not entirely selfish.  We breath the same air, drink the same water and we all saw An Inconvenient Truth.  The desire for positive perception by environmentally sensitive clients dovetails nicely with our personal desire to do the right thing.

So how does an organization go about doing the right thing?

When making presentations to community and service groups on green matters, I sometimes ask for a show of hands to the question: "Who has heard of ISO 14001?"  I rarely see any movement from the audience.  Some no doubt are not paying attention.  Some may know but are timid.  But most are innocently ignorant.

ISO is the International Organization for Standardization.  It was founded in 1947 in order to set worldwide standards to facilitate international trade.  Why isn't it "IOS" you might ask?  The name of the organization comes out differently in differently languages.  The founders set upon the "ISO" acronym because it almost works in English, and the word "isos" means "equal" in Greek.

Its members from over 150 countries participate in technical subcommittees to develop over 16,000 standards in almost every conceivable field in business, industry, technology and transportation. One of its technical subcommittees has developed standard no. 14001 for "Environmental Management Systems."  This has become perhaps the world’s most important environmental standard.  It is endorsed by environmental groups, and its adoption is encouraged by governments.

A company wishing to go green in a way that is respected by governments and other businesses should get its hands on a copy of ISO 14001 and start the process of assessment and registration, which includes an inspection and certification by an independent third party.  Our firm started with an Environmental Policy Statement declaring a policy to comply with all environmental laws and best practices appropriate to our business.  Various personnel are assigned specific duties within a formal chain of internal reporting obligations. The details of the policy set expectations of personal performance for all employees.

The ISO 14001 standard expects that we improve on the prior year’s performance by continued reduction in electrical consumption, purchasing materials through green vendors, recycling, reduction in the use of paper, and reduction in air travel.  We go through annual self-assessment audits with an independent third-party review every five years.

Of course, adopting a policy is only one part.  Getting the word out to all employees to engineer a change of habit takes a bit more doing.  Many are willing and eager, but many are oblivious or disconnected, as if the personal need of the moment takes priority over a bothersome commitment to the greater good.  We address this with a variety of internal marketing and education efforts so as to marginalize bad behavior.  Eventually conforming becomes more comfortable.  Recycle bins are everywhere. There are 3x5 message placards by light switches reminding people about temperature controls and turning off lights.  There are constant e-mail messages announcing things like Earth Hour last March, where everyone was encouraged to turn their lights off for an hour, and providing tips on reducing travel and energy conservation.   After a while, it sinks in.

Employers play an important role in the green movement.  Not only by making changes in how they conduct their own businesses, but as advocates and examples to their employees to take home what they learn in the office.

John P. (Jack) Machen is a real estate attorney in the Baltimore office of DLA Piper LLP (US), a global law firm with over 3,500 lawyers in 28 countries.  In addition to his law practice, Mr. Machen is certified by the U.S. Green Building Council as a LEED Accredited Professional and provides advice to his firm and to clients on green building, green building codes, sustainability and resource conservation.