Need a University Adopt a Formal Environmental System? Progress Without an EMS at a Small University

The myriad systems available for supporting sustainability in a university system are evaluated. A well-rounded environmental policy and its implementation may be sufficient, and may preclude the requirement for implementing a formal Environmental Management System (EMS). This case study of environmental management at Lincoln University, a public university in New Zealand, tracks the development of an environmental policy in 1992, and its slow implementation as a result of external pressures. Recently, a new policy has been developed and implementation is supported with an environmental task force.