An organization - a company is in global competition as the age of the internet has expanded every facet of the business community and every day life most prominently during the last decade. Being a part of the global influence requires some standards of performance and expectations of behavior. An integral part of an organization is the policies that it sets out to its members. Policies govern how the members and the company will act, behave, and abide within the company and in the community. Most organizations have stringent and detailed policies in place that cover the human resources aspect as required by many governmental regulations. Some organizations also have environmental policies that cover the scope of how the company will act and behave within the confines of federal, state, and local environmental regulations. Over the years, these policies have also become detailed as a result of necessity.

Since most environmental regulations have been around since the early 1970’s and enforcement of those regulations have been tested time after time, most medium to large organizations have learned that regulations are strong as ever and there’s no wavering from not complying with the requirements. To do anything less would mean microscopic inspections by the regulators, “whistle blowing” by employees, family, or community, and, consequential consent orders, consent agreements, fines, and possible criminal prosecution.

Many organizations have learned the need for complying with the regulations as necessitated by the regulators through inspections and consequential notice of violations (NOV) and fines. Governmental organizations such as a city are not above the scrutiny of the inspectors and by its own employees. A municipal government well founded in environmental ideals and principles must be beyond the basics of compliance 101 with a well support of internal compliance management systems (CMS) and audits that are supported by the city manager and city council.

Beyond the compliance 101 and operating in a competitive interstate economy, a city government must be vigilant to be the leaders of compliance and be on the leading edge of environmental stewardship such as air quality, water conservation, green buildings, and renewable energy. A city must cater to its citizens to provide and/or foster reasonable cost services for such utilities. Large corporations realize the value of marketing “green” and take measures to be associated with other organizations and cities where they operate to be green as possible.

With the advent of global markets and systems of “sister cities” throughout the world, city organizations have been introduced and influenced to ISO (International Standard Organization) systems and either may have a system or have a proposal to put some form of ISO in place for environmental stewardship and sustainability.

Environmental stewardships and sustainability is the heart of an organization that requires knowledge based leadership and actions to be taken to ensure good and vibrant health of a city government and positive forward movement to improve the quality of services and quality of life for the organization and community.

With resources such as fuel becoming more expensive, cost for good labor ever so challenging for any organization, and environmental quality always on the forefront of the citizens, companies, and evening news, a city government must be on the leading edge to have knowledge based systems and people in place to evaluate its options, costs, and take appropriate measures to stay a top city for living and working.