Environmental management is the process by which environmental health is regulated. It does not involve managing the environment itself, but it is the process of taking steps and behaviors to have a positive effect on the environment. Environmental management involves the wise use of activity and resources to have an impact on the world. Many organizations develop a management plan or system to implement, manage and maintain environmental goals. Management plans for the environment are constructed by many companies and organizations, as taking care of the planet is the responsibility of everybody in every type of profession.

The most successful plans are built on a Plan, Do, Check, Act model. The first step, planning, involves defining specific goals for that organization to accomplish regarding the environment. Next, the company needs to take whatever steps are necessary to implement the processes laid out in the planning stage. Checking involves monitoring the environmental management plan, evaluating its effects and adjusting the procedures as necessary. Finally, acting involves reviewing the plan after it is complete and looking at reports from activities conducted or talking to those who were directly involved to get feedback and adjust the plan accordingly.

Employees at a company, or members of an organization that has chosen to implement an environmental management plan must be given the proper environmental training. While goals such as conservation and better methods of waste disposal are solid ideals to strive for, many of these techniques have been tried before. If everyone at the organization is not on board and using the same methods, the plan will serve no ultimate good. If an environmental management plan is properly enforced, however, the company will see benefits both to its business and to the environment.

Environmental management does not come without costs. These include the investment of resources such as time and money, the cost of training the employees, the cost of hiring consultants or other professionals and the cost of technical resources for studying the environment and its impacts. It is widely believed, however, that the benefits of an environmental management plan far outweigh the costs. These include the prevention of pollution and the conservation of natural resources, increased energy efficiency, stronger environmental performance and an attention to and responsibility for taking care of the earth. Following a management plan for the environment is a great way to build strong employee relationships and foster company support around one goal.