Press Published in the Press Network '92

Launch of a New Industry Network

by Troy Davis, INEM Interim Co-ordinator

published in Global Roundup Network '92
(newsletter of the independent sectors of the Rio Earth Summit)
Geneva, 1992

"Industry has to be more proactive in changing the way it operates if it is to retain the already shaken public trust. To do so, it needs a support network to help it make that difficult shift. That is the purpose of the International Network for Environmental Management (INEM), an international non-profit business organization founded on Feb 19th, 1991 in Hamburg, Germany and which regroups most of the existing national business associations for environmental management and sustainable development. More than 600 companies worldwide of all sizes and representing all sectors belong to member organizations of INEM.

INEM is a global network of independent business organizations devoted to environmental education and problem-solving. Its exclusive focus on environmental issues for business guarantees an independence and impact which could not be achieved by bodies which have wider goals and its Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) roots guarantee that very important sector's representation.

This federative approach of equal organizations rooted in the cultural specificity of each country is the prerequisite which will enable industry to reach those who desperately need the most help: the small to medium sized enterprises worldwide who produce 70% of global output as well as companies in the "informal sector" of developing countries.

INEM will work as appropriate with the International Chamber of Commerce, international sectoral federations, national business federations, environmental organizations and trade unions as well as other NGOs and governmental and intergovernmental organizations. INEM's independent focus of concern and the experience and reputation of its oldest member - BAUM, the German Environmental. Management Association - supports the credibility of the new organizations.

INEM will be officially announced at WICEM II, the Second World Industry Conference on Environmental Management (Rotterdam 10-12 April 1991). INEM is expected to have seven national members by then (Austria, Denmark, Germany, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom) and probably a dozen in total by June '92 (with hopefully a Brazilian member).

The main goal of INEM is to promote environmental excellence by businesses worldwide. It will do so by:

- helping to consolidate existing national member organizations; - helping to create organisations in other countries and other parts of the world and;

- organizing a communication and information exchange system for its members worldwide.

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