Environmental and Sustainability Management Systems
What is an ESMS?
FTA's Environmental and Sustainability Management System (ESMS) Training and Technical Assistance Program helps transit agencies with developing and implementing an ESMS at their facilities. Participants in the program receive free training workshops, on-site assessments, electronic materials and resources, and consultation to help develop an ESMS using standard 14001 of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
FTA is currently conducting the 2024-2025 ESMS Training and Technical Assistance Program with five transit agencies that were selected during the April 22 to June 14th, 2024 application period. Future FTA ESMS Program open application periods will be announced on social media, via GovDelivery Bulletin, and FTA’s ESMS website.
WHY ESMS?
FTA encourages project sponsors to minimize the impact of their operations and construction through environmentally sound practices. An ESMS is a set of processes and practices that enables an organization to reduce its environmental impacts and increase operating efficiency. The environmental benefits of implementing an ESMS include:
- Enhanced ability to analyze, control, and reduce environmental impacts, such as air emissions and oil in wastewater
- Reduction in the number, type, and severity of compliance incidents
- More efficient and controlled operations
- Cost savings
- Improved relationships with employees, regulators, systems users, and the public
ESMS Resources and Trainings
- FTA ESMS Resource Series:
- FTA Guidebook of Best Management Practices for the Development of an Environmental and Sustainability Management System (ESMS) (April 2021)
- Eight Steps to Identify Environmental Characteristics and Environmental Influences of Your Organization’s Operations (April 2021)
- Three Elements for Sustaining Your Environmental and Sustainability Management System (ESMS) (April 2021)
- The 'WHAT' and 'WHY' of an Environmental and Sustainability Management System (ESMS) (January 2021)
- Nine Steps to Starting a Successful Environmental and Sustainability Management System (August 2020)
- 5-Whys: Getting to the Root of the Problem (December 2020)
- FTA Recorded Webinars:
- FTA online, self-paced ESMS Introductory Online Course for transit agencies interested in understanding the fundamentals of an ESMS
Technical Assistance Final Reports
The following final reports from each completed round of the program provide additional details about each participant’s ESMS and the benefits they achieved from implementing an ESMS: