The first thing to do when starting the process of designing and implementing an Environmental Management System (EMS) to ISO14001 is to get the key stakeholders together, i.e. directors and management team, in order that you get their committment to the process, the business objective and benefits.
The best way to publicise this to staff and customers is by issuing a Statement of Intent.
This statement is a public acknowledgement that the business means business about protecting the environment within it’s control and reducing their negative impact.