ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on how environmental managers might set environmental objectives that both reflect their organisation's environmental policy and significant environmental impacts, and provide goals that are deliverable in terms of the overall organisational dynamics. The systematic evaluation of significant impacts therefore provides the foundation upon which relevant environmental objectives for the organisation are developed. International Organisation for Standardisation 14001 states that an environmental policy should include 'a commitment to continual improvement' and that objectives 'and targets shall be consistent with the environmental policy, including the commitment to prevention of pollution'. Three broad categories of objective can be identified: objectives aimed at monitoring and researching; objectives aimed at continuing effective management; and objectives aimed at improvement. It is important to bear the notion of 'achievability' in mind when assessing what must, should and could be done and in setting objectives that reflect the outcome of this assessment.
