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Original article can be found at: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/13648152 Copyright Elsevier Ltd.This paper discusses a practical, computerised eco-management system for agriculture which has been developed at the University of Hertfordshire, UK for use by farmers and their advisers to encourage more sustainable practices. The research and software development has been funded by the UK's Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Milk Development Council. The computerised system helps to measure environmental performance by evaluating an eco-rating that compares actual farm practices and site-specific details with what is perceived to be the best practice for that site using an expert system together with scoring and ranking techniques. The eco-ratings system utilises a positive-negative scale to aid transparency and interpretation. In practical terms this means that undesirable and unsustainable activities will lead to negative eco-ratings. Activities which adhere to the principles of best practice and sustainable agriculture will lead to positive eco-ratings. The zero position may then be interpreted as representing an environmentally benign activity. In support of the assessment, the system incorporates modules to explore ???What-If??? scenarios and a hypertext information system. This paper describes the approaches and methodologies used to develop the eco-ratings and outlines the software which utilises these indices within a comprehensive decision-support framework

The University of Hertfordshire, in collaboration with two UK agricultural establishments, ADAS and IACR‒Rothamsted, is developing a computerised decision support system for environmental management of arable agriculture. Part of this system is aimed towards encouraging sound farmland conservation to protect existing plants and animals, to encourage greater biodiversity and to help the farming community adopt more sustainable practices. The software aims to assess performance, help identify areas where improvements to existing habitats can be made and highlight the potential for new habitat creation. The assessment routines used determine a numerical eco‒rating and textual description of performance by comparing actual practices with best practice. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. and ERP Environment.

Discussions are often found in the environmental press about the possible advantages to an organization of implementing a formal environmental management system such as BS 7750, ISO 14001 and the EC Eco‐Management and Audit Scheme. It is also widely recognized that these formal systems, although theoretically applicable to all, are often seen by many organizations as being too unwieldy, too prescriptive, frequently too expensive and often too public. However, there are many alternative options available to organizations who do not wish to commit themselves to a formal accredited system. The various options currently in use for informal environmental management in agriculture are discussed, with particular reference to a computerized system being developed at the University of Hertfordshire. Application examples are taken from the agricultural industry. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.

Achieving sustainable development requires partnership between all sections of society, including SMEs. Local government organisations have a responsibility to promote sustainability; however, despite enthusiastic activity in the UK, it has proved difficult to involve the SME sector. Raising awareness through education and training is one of the first steps to improved environmental performance and Local Authorities are well placed to help provide appropriate programmes. The ENVIRONMATICS Project at Business Link Hertfordshire, backed by Hertfordshire County Council and the University of Hertfordshire, has attracted funding from the European Social Fund (ESF) ADAPT programme. An environmental management training programme aimed specifically at the SME sector has been established, and is integrated into other business training. The training course has been running since April 1996 and has a full compliment of participants. There is now a waiting list for the next intake. The success of the Project has been due largely to the partnership approach, embracing expert organisations, and thereby increasing the relevance and credibility of the training programme. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.