ABSTRACT
An environmental management system (EMS) that has the ability to expedite knowledge transfer, in addition to its conventional functions, stands to improve its operating efficiency. The incorporation into the EMS model of practices that better manage organisational knowledge and the use of established change management (CM) practices may enable certain efficiencies and provide sufficient scope to manage sustainable development transition effectively. A brief review of corporate environmental management is presented with respect to sustainable development. In applying the augmentations, the EMS trial sought to evaluate the effectiveness of Knowledge management (KM) capacity and, primarily, CM capacity. KM applied to the management of environmental issues affords environmental managers an insight into organisational culture, understanding and perception. The need for a KM capacity is primarily to overcome the knowledge access inefficiencies and communication deficiencies inherent to all organisations. CM requires organisation personnel to learn new concepts, skills and practices if they are to design and implement new methods and processes.
