The NEMS is the process we use at the NIH to:

• look at what we do
• identify how our activities might impact the environment and public health
• change how we do things to make sure we do as little harm to the environment as possible, and
• encourage continuous environmental improvement.

To take a closer look at each of the phases in the NEMS cycle, click on a phase of the NEMS framework.

Because the NEMS process requires us to look at everything we do, all employees are involved. NIH employees are responsible for doing their jobs in a way that is protective of the environment.  Being effective and responsible stewards of the environment and of natural resources is important to us, both in our mission to improve the health of the nation and as good neighbors in our community.

The NIH has had active environmental programs in place for many years. The NEMS will coordinate all  activities related to environmental management at NIH and improve their efficiency and effectiveness.  We believe that this approach will ensure our compliance with legal requirements and also improve our performance on environmental impacts that are not regulated.

What is the NEMS Framework?

The NEMS was developed as part of the NIH’s commitment to the environment. It is implemented in accordance with Executive Order (EO) 13423, “Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management” and conforms to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 14001:2004 standard for environmental management.  The NEMS framework, which is based on the ISO 14001 international standard, consists of four phases: planning, doing, checking, and acting (or improving). This framework is often referred to as a Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle. This cycle involves setting objectives, tracking progress, and resetting objectives. Because the cycle takes place on an annual basis, the system goes through a continuous evaluation and improvement process.

Where Are We Conducting Greening Activities?

The NEMS covers all activities at the NIH Bethesda campus, and at the NIH Animal Center in Poolesville, MD, and the NIH Facilities in Rockville, MD. Other NIH sites are developing their own EMSs. These sites include NIH's Rocky Mountain Laboratories in Hamilton, Montana, the NIEHS Facility at Research Triangle Park, NC, the NIH Facility at Baltimore, MD, and the National Cancer Institute at Frederick in Frederick, MD.

How Are We Greening the NIH?

The leadership of the NEMS is the Sustainability Management Team (SMT); however, the NEMS delegates responsibility and authority for environmental sustainability to every NIH employee. The NEMS Implementation Team reports the status of the NEMS up to the SMT for approval and support. The NEMS also includes working groups which address the activities in a particular functional area and works to identify ways to improve how those activities are conducted.

Institutes and Centers (IC) are forming Green Teams (link this to ) to support the NEMS.  The Green Teams identify the most pressing environmental issues for their IC, set goals to address those issues, make changes in how activities are conducted, and track the resulting improvements in environmental performance.