Managing ISO 14001 implementation in the United Kingdom Continental Shelf (UKCS)

Abstract

The activities and operations of the oil and gas industry have a significant propensity to affect the natural environment. The UK oil and gas industry, like the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, is a highly regulated industry and attracts a high level of public interest, so much so that the UK Government is keen to encourage the adoption of voluntary environmental management initiatives such as ISO 14001. In responding to the UK Government's agenda, some oil and gas enterprises have now implemented this environmental management system. This article examines the implementation of ISO 14001 in the first batch of oil and gas enterprises to have done so. Through undertaking structured face‐to‐face interviews with senior corporate staff in eight firms this article examines the drivers, implementation barriers and the benefits accrued from their participation in this management system. In contrast with some other industries, information on the oil and gas industry's experience with, and perception of, ISO 14001 is somewhat limited. Against this backdrop, the paper attempts to address these weaknesses and provide a starting point for future research in the area of corporate social responsibility and environmental management systems. The paper concludes with a number of recommendations as to how to promote the adoption of environmental management systems more widely in the oil and gas industry. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. and ERP Environment.