Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Key definition

Environment definition

What does Environment mean? In legal practice, environment refers to the natural media and the living systems potentially affected by a project, operation or emission. UK environmental legislation commonly defines it as including air, water and land, and any living organisms (including humans) and ecosystems supported by those media. Similar formulations are used across England & Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and in Irish environmental legislation; exact wording varies by statute and context, but usage is broadly consistent. Where a regime provides a definition, courts apply that text; where it does not, the term carries its ordinary meaning. The concept sets the scope of regulatory...

Environmental management systems (EMS) for legal practitioners: ISO 14001 and EMAS, compliance obligations, legal registers, planning, monitoring, documentation and due diligence

Published by a LexisNexis Environment expert

Practice notes

What is an environmental management system (EMS)?

An environmental management system is a documented, structured approach for overseeing a company's environmental performance and obligations. It equips an organisation with procedures and tools to prevent or reduce negative environmental effects, and is suitable for enterprises of any size. Adoption is voluntary—there is no blanket legal duty to implement one, although certain environmental permits do require an EMS.

An EMS follows the Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle. The process includes setting policy, defining the EMS scope, and putting it into practice. Because it is grounded in continual improvement, the organisation regularly reviews and updates the system. The EMS should reflect the business's size, complexity, activities, and the level of environmental risk.

Different styles of EMS exist:

bespoke EMS developed in-house
an EMS aligned to a recognised standard without pursuing formal certification or registration
an EMS aligned to a recognised standard where the organisation opts for formal certification or registration

An EMS may be self-declared or registered/certified...

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Colleen Theron

Ardea International

Colleen is a tri-qualified solicitor and founder of Ardea International ( previously CLT envirolaw), a niche company that provides sustainability, modern slavery, business and human rights consultancy and expertise to enable companies to meet both their legal obligations and develop voluntary best practice standards. Prior to establishing CLT envirolaw, she worked as an environmental lawyer in the City of London and was recognised by The Legal 500 and Chambers as a leading environmental law practitioner. Colleen’s indefatigable passion for combating human trafficking, particularly in business supply chains led her to found the not-for-profit organisation Finance Against Trafficking. She has spoken widely on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, modern slavery and sustainable business emphasising the growing overlap between best practice sustainability and the law. She is also a member of the steering group of the British Association for...

Web page updated on 21/05/2026

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