Miljødrift

Miljødrift is a Norwegian term for the systematic management of environmental aspects in an organization’s operations to minimize negative impacts. It encompasses energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, waste handling, water use, chemical safety, and air, noise, and land management. It is applied in industry, construction, agriculture, forestry, public services, and municipalities.

Core elements include an environmental policy, defined targets, assigned responsibilities, training, and internal communication. Typical measures are energy efficiency, waste reduction and recycling, pollution prevention, sustainable procurement, water stewardship, and lifecycle thinking. Performance is tracked with indicators, audits, and management reviews in the PDCA cycle to drive continual improvement.

Standards and regulation: Many organizations align with ISO 14001 or EMAS. National and local laws govern emissions, waste handling, chemical safety, and reporting. In Norway and the Nordic region, miljodrift often supports national climate goals and circular economy initiatives.

Impact: Effective miljodrift can reduce environmental risk, lower costs, and improve reputation, but may require upfront investments, data systems, and cross-disciplinary collaboration. Success relies on leadership commitment and integrating environmental considerations into planning and operations.