Strategic Guidelines for Implementation of ISO 14001:2015 in the Agricultural Sector : A case study for Golden Riverside Ltd

Abstract

The primary purpose of this thesis is to assist the case study organization, Golden Riverside Ltd, in establishing strategic guidelines for implementing ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management System (EMS), which is in the agricultural sector. The study aims to help the agribusiness in aligning its environmental management practices with the international standards to enhance its sustainability, ensure compliance, and boost stakeholder confidence. Golden Riverside Ltd is the primary beneficiary of this thesis project, having commissioned it to pursue ISO 14001 certification and to prepare for other ISO certifications. The implementation task included developing an EMS framework for the organization, which involved drafting an environmental policy, setting environmental goals, and creating an implementation roadmap.

The theoretical framework is based on established literature about environmental management systems, ISO 14001:2015 standard requirements, and best practices in the agricultural sector. The research used both quantitative and qualitative research methods such as document review of ISO 14001 standard requirements, and interview with organizations' representative. Findings identified included gaps in Golden Riverside’s current environmental practices and opportunities for improvement in their compliance status, documentation, etc.

While certification usually justifies the implementation of ISO 14001:2015, the objective of the thesis focused on guiding the organization toward identifying the requirements for implementation and certification. The thesis deliverables, including the environmental policy, environmental objectives, and the audit checklist, serve as preparatory tools to help meet the certification prerequisites. Even without formal certification, the guidelines may assist in managing the company's compliance and environmental impact risks.