IBM's business
The company creates business value for clients and solves business problems through integrated solutions that leverage information technology and deep knowledge of business processes. IBM solutions typically create value by reducing a client's operational costs or by enabling new capabilities that generate revenue. These solutions draw from an industry leading portfolio of consulting, delivery and implementation services, enterprise software, systems and financing.
Potential environmental impacts
IBM operations could potentially impact the environment in a number of ways. Chemicals needed for research, development, manufacturing processes and services must be properly managed, from purchase through storage, use and disposal. Certain processes are energy and/or water-intensive. In addition, IBM products should be designed so that they can be reused, recycled or disposed of properly at the end of their useful lives.
IBM's global environmental management system
To identify and effectively manage the potential environmental impact of IBM's operations, IBM established and has maintained a strong worldwide environmental management system (EMS) for decades. It is a vital element in the company's efforts to achieve results consistent with environmental leadership.
Corporate policy and instructions
IBM's environmental affairs policy provides the strategic framework for the company's environmental management system and environmental affairs objectives. These objectives address areas such as workplace safety, the conservation of energy and other natural resources, environmental protection, and the development and manufacture of environmentally conscious products.
This policy is supported by corporate instructions, practices and standards that govern IBM's worldwide operations and are basic to its environmental management programs. These documents cover areas such as chemical and waste management, energy management, environmental evaluation of suppliers, product stewardship, incident prevention and reporting, and environmental impact assessment for real estate transactions.
Responsibilities and integration
IBM's EMS involves IBM employees across all of its business units in the company's commitment to leadership in environmental affairs. Its structure and programs are designed to integrate environmental considerations throughout the company's operations.
IBM's corporate environmental affairs staff is responsible for establishing the company's worldwide environmental affairs strategy, the EMS requirements, and for monitoring its implementation. The company's environmental programs are implemented by professionals at manufacturing, development and research sites around the world. Local performance is overseen by environmental staff at headquarters of major IBM geographic organizations.
Within operating units, IBM employees serve as team leaders for environmental affairs. This ensures that their organizations coordinate with other functions on interrelated activities affecting environmental issues and programs. Further, each of the groups responsible for product design and hardware development have a person assigned who has the responsibility to integrate product stewardship objectives into the design and development of IBM products and solutions.
IBM executives are responsible for the safety and environmental performance of their organizations. All employees are required by corporate policy and by the company's Business Conduct Guidelines to comply with environmental laws and with IBM's own environmental, health and safety programs. Environmental performance and programs are reviewed by the IBM Board of Directors committee responsible for corporate governance.
Environmental training
Relevant environmental training is integral to the proper functioning of the EMS.
All IBM employees worldwide are periodically required to read and certify their compliance to IBM's Business Conduct Guidelines. These Guidelines cover areas in which employees have a responsibility to the company, and they include the awareness of and compliance with IBM's corporate environmental policy and other environmental requirements.
Environmental training is commensurate with employees' job responsibilities. There may be several types of training required, with depth of content and breadth of topics varying depending on the work location activities, products and services, and on the duties performed by employees. Accordingly, environmental training can range from general environmental awareness to more complex, professional training such as hazardous waste management training and certification, training for treatment plant operations, etc.
IBM locations and/or business units identify environmental training needs and provide appropriate training for employees. Employees having environmental responsibilities in their jobs must be competent in their function (i.e., possess the ability, knowledge and any other necessary attribute to perform their job). A documented procedure is maintained to ensure these employees are aware of, understand and are trained for the following:
- the importance of conformance to the environmental policy and procedures and with the requirements of the EMS;
- the significant environmental aspects, and actual or potential impacts of their work activities and the environmental benefits of improved personal performance;
- their roles and responsibilities in achieving conformance with the environmental policy and procedures and with the requirements of the EMS, including emergency preparedness and response requirements;
- their roles and responsibilities with respect to achieving environmental objectives and targets; and
- potential consequences of departure from site specific operating procedures, as it pertains to their job.
Monitoring and measuring effective implementation of the EMS
IBM employs a variety of mechanisms to monitor and measure the effective implementation of its EMS requirements. These include:
- Professional Self-Assessment Program
- The professional self-assessment program consists of a series of IBM specific environmental checklists which are used to provide IBM the ability to assess its overall environmental performance globally on a consistent basis. The checklists cover both manufacturing and hardware development locations and non manufacturing locations at a geographic level, product groups and service activities.
- Environmental Performance Database (EPD)
- The EPD functions as one of IBM's internal measurement and tracking systems. The database measures environmental performance in such areas as water effluents, chemical use and emissions, hazardous and nonhazardous waste management, recycling, energy conservation, environmental expenditures and progress toward meeting product stewardship objectives.
- The EPD provides the data used in IBM's annual environmental and corporate responsibility reporting as well as in periodic updates on performance and programs that go to senior management. Business units also make use of the database in analyzing their environmental performance and identifying areas for improvement.
- Corporate internal audits
- IBM has established an environmental audit program which is implemented by the corporate internal audit organization. This is a comprehensive audit program which is independent of the Corporate Environmental Affairs staff. Each year, certain sites are audited for environmental, health and safety compliance by IBM's Corporate Internal Audit staff.
- ISO 14001 surveillance audits
- As part of IBM's global registration to ISO 14001, approximately 25 sites or registered entities are audited annually by an independent ISO 14001 registrar. The ISO 14001 surveillance audits are used to verify implementation of IBM's environmental management system.