Prof. Joe Cascio, Director of GW’s emerging Environmental and Energy Management Institute, is an icon at the Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy of the National Defense University in Washington, D.C. The year 2014 marked the 15th year that Prof. Cascio has presented plenary presentations to NDU’s Environment Industry Study group.
Prof. Cascio’s 2014 presentation, entitled “Environmental Management Systems (Military Sustainability)” was presented at the main NDU building at Fort Leslie J. McNair in Washington, D.C. on November 13, 2014.
Prof. Cascio’s lecture introduced senior military and civilian officials of the U.S. and select allied governments to voluntary, consensus international standards for environmental management systems and sustainability. The lecture provided a brief history of management system standards, the international process for their development under the auspices of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and their continuing evolution under various ISO initiatives.
The lecture addressed principles of management systems by highlighting attributes of the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System (EMS) standard and its implementation by industrial and governmental organizations, including its application to public policy programs by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Prof. Cascio’s presentation also highlighted the advantages of EMS for implementing military sustainability programs related to the preservation and enhancement of natural infrastructure necessary for mission sustainment.
Prof. Cascio’s lecture series at NDU provides an excellent example of the EEMI mission, which is “to conduct state-of-the-art and highly relevant research, promote graduate studies and other learning opportunities, and undertake service activities pertinent to the application and implementation of national and international standards for the management of environmental, energy and sustainability challenges facing organizations and communities throughout the Nation and the world.”
A letter of appreciation from Dr. Gregory D. Foster, Professor of National Security Studies and Head of the Environment Industry Study program, to Prof. Cascio, can be seen at this link: NDU Appreciation Letter