Environmental Data – A Valuable Corporate Asset Brochure

The dictionary definition of an asset is “a useful and desirable thing.” Well-managed assets obviously add value to a company. Now, many organizations are appreciating that environmental data is a valuable corporate asset.The regulatory environment in the US has grown exponentially, affecting virtually every business in the country. While this growth has spawned new jobs and a whole new industry – environmental consulting – it has also affected most firms’ bottomline. Historically, companies generated environmental data to fulfill regulatory requirements, or, in some cases, to address lawsuits. However more and more progressive companies are now leveraging their environmental information and using it as an asset to enhance their organizations.There is little argument that environmental data is useful. It allows organizations to manage and monitor their compliance with greenhouse gas regulations, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and many others. Additionally, many companies must generate and report environmental data to uphold permits which allow them to conduct their business. So, there is clear consensus that environmental data is important, and a means to an end, but forward thinking companies are using environmental information to manage risk and support business decisions. So how is environmental data being used to drive value? ?? Mining and manufacturing companies can more accurately assess the return-on-investment of new mines, factories, and facilities by factoring in the costs of the additional environmental monitoring alongside more traditional capital and operational expenditure. ?? With access to rich data, organizations can ask searching questions: Is it worthwhile to keep a mine or factory running ?????????? ??? ? ????? ?????? ???????????????????????????? www.wspenvironmental.com/usaENVIRONMENTAL DATA 10 years may well negate the forecast return-on-investment? Will adding a second production shift put a company over the limits of what it is permitted to discharge into a nearby river? ?? In real estate, few commercial transactions occur without an assessment of environmental risk and potential liability. With this type of information available companies can make informed decisions on expansion to other sites with awareness of any potential hazards such as contaminated soil and groundwater. In addition there is the added opportunity to host data online. This offers a more effective means of managing risk by avoiding fines through early warning while also reducing costs associated with managing the data. A growing number of companies, especially those that have invested in lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and enterprise resource planning, understand how to reduce costs by improving processes and have implemented software systems to address their environmental obligations. These systems monitor for potential issues, manage large amounts of data from disparate sources and aggregate it for analysis and reporting.WSP has offered our clients a highly effective web based data management system for over 10 years. Our system is called ERIMS®, E-Records Information Management System, and is a comprehensive environmental data management and reporting system that is cost effective, secure and auditable. As a repository it handles virtually any type of data, including field measurements, analytical results, map and GIS data, permit requirements, and much more. Learn more about ERIMS®a valuable corporate assetTo learn more about how ERIMS® could benefit your organization, please contact Dan Golden and discover how your environmental data can be a valuable corporate asset.Dan Golden T: 1 303 850 9200 E: dan.golden@wspgroup.com