1 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT NOTES

1.1 Environmental Planning and Sustainability

Sustainable development can be defined as a pattern of resource use that aims to meet the
human needs while preserving the environment so that these needs can be further met in the
indefinite future. In fact, a sustainable development ties together the concern for carrying the
capacity of natural systems with no social challenges facing the humanity.

1.2 The UN Global Impact

The GC tools have the following essential functions namely:

(1) Provide a methodology for collecting and organizing information.

(2) Improve the knowledge and understanding of: The dynamics of a system, the drivers of
behavior and the reasons of failure.
(3) Identify proven means for modifying behavior to reach the performance targets.
(4) Provide means for monitoring and reporting upon the progress of the performance.

1.3 Different types of environmental sustainability tools

(1) Environmental management tools
(2) Environmental assessment tools
(3) Environmental monitoring and auditing tools
(4) Environmental reporting and communication tools.

1.3.1 Environmental Management Tools

It can be divided into two categories as shown below:

Environmental Management Systems Environmental Management Strategies

Cleaner production, sustainable consumption

and eco-efficiency
Eg: ISO 14001 and EMAS Life-cycle management
Design for environment/ eco-design
Product-services systems
Industrial Ecology
UNEP APELL
1.3.1.1 Environmental Management system (EMS)
The EMS refers to a tool used for managing the impacts of an organization’s activities on the
environment. It provides a structured approach to planning and implementing environmental
protection measures. In fact, an EMS integrates environmental management into a company’s
daily operations, long term planning and other quality management systems. And as such, it can
be said that an EMS monitors the environmental performance of a company.

An EMS always follows the Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle (PDCA). An EMS model includes the
development of an environmental policy, followed by the planning of the EMS and the
implementing it. The process also includes checking the system constantly and acting upon it. It
can be noted that the EMS model is continuous as the process is in fact a continual improvement
in which an organization is constantly reviewing and revising the system.

Key Elements of an EMS

It refers to a statement of what an organization wants to achieve from an

Environmental EMS. It also ensures that all environmental activities are consistent with
Policy Statement the organization’s objectives.

Identification and documentation of the actual and potential

Environmental environmental impacts of an organization’s operation need to be
Impacts undertaken. This can in fact be achieved through undertaking an
Identification environmental audit.

An environmental audit forms the basis of determining an organization’s

Development of environmental objectives and targets. In fact, an organization can find
Objectives and benefits in adopting a more stringent longer term objectives so as to
Targets encourage it to improve its performance.

Implementation Plans to meet objectives and targets

Training Staff should undergo environmental awareness training to familiarize

 them with their responsibilities for implementing the EMS.

Management Review Review the EMS.

Documentation All responsibilities, targets, policies, responsibilities and procedures

should be documented along with information on environmental
performance. Documentation is useful for verifying environmental
performance to staff, regulators and community.

Benefits of an EMS

(1) Helps companies to identify and prioritize their key environmental impacts in a
systematic manner.
(2) Ensure that structured processes are in place for measuring and monitoring performances.
(3) Build awareness of environmental concerns among employees
(4) Help to gain a better understanding of the environmental impacts of business activities
and subsequently increase the profit as well as improve the environmental performance
through more efficient operations.

Important definition

Internal audit: It is a systematic evidence gathering process that is carried out in order to
evaluate how well an environmental management system meets a set of audit criteria established
by the organization. Internal audits must be independent and impartial

ISO 14001
It is an internationally agreed standard that sets out the requirements for an environmental
management system. It helps organizations to improve their environmental performance through
more efficient use of resources and reduction of wastes thereby gaining a competitive advantage
and trust of stakeholders.
SUMMARY

PLAN DO CHECK ACT

Identify aspects, Structure and Monitoring, Implement corrective
impacts, hazards and responsibility. measuring and actions.
risks. auditing performance.
Document legislations Training, awareness Maintaining records Track Improvements.
and other and competence.
requirements
Set objectives and Communication Schedule, plan and
measurable targets conduct system
audits.
Policy and EMS Documentation Non-conformance and Management review.
Management Document control corrective action.
programs Operational control
Emergency
preparedness and
response

Training and Communication

Staff should undergo environmental awareness training to familiarize them with their
responsibilities for implementing the EMS. Also, internal communication at all levels is
important so as to ensure that there is sufficient commitment and understanding to integrating
principles of environmental responsibility into the business. In addition, it also ensures that there
is a required change in the attitudes and business behavior.
1.3.1.2 Environmental Management Strategies- Cleaner Production
Cleaner Production is the continuous application of an integrated preventive environmental
strategy to processes/ products/services so as to increase efficiency as well as reduce risks to
humans and environment. (Reduce the generation of pollution and waste at source rather than
addressing and mitigating the symptoms)

Process: CP includes Products: CP includes Services: CP includes

More efficient use of raw
materials
Elimination of toxic or
dangerous process input
materials.
Minimizing the volume and
toxicity of all emissions and
wastes.
Reducing impacts through the Preventive environmental
product’s life cycle. strategy in the design and
delivery of services.
Adapting design, Raw
materials input ,
manufacturing, use and
disposal

Implementing a CP Management Program

Planning Preliminary Detailed Feasibility Implementation Monitor

Investigation Assessment Analysis Progress
Management Assess Review data Technical Plan and Track
Commitment effluent and sites Analysis schedule waste,
process flow material use
charts , cost
savings
Prepare Obtain Collect Economic Implement Document
policy regulatory input/Output analysis selected CP result and
statement reports data options savings
 Establish Carry out Define CP Environmental
Project team work through options analysis
inspections

1.3.1.3 Environmental Management Strategies - Eco-efficiency

It refers to a management strategy that seeks to produce more value with less input of energy and
material and with reduced emissions.

Eco-efficiency measures

(1) Reduce toxic dispersion

(2) Enhance material recyclability
(3) Maximize sustainable use of renewable resources
(4) Increase material/product durability
(5) Increase service intensity

Implementing CP and Eco-efficiency

Step 1 Assign formal responsibility for cleaner production and eco-efficiency

Step 2 Identify opportunities by undertaking a CP opportunity assessment
Step 3 Analyze the information
Step 4 Consider the various options available
Step 5 Produce an action plan
Step 6 Implement the action plan
Step 7 Review the progress
An extension to eco-efficiency approach includes:

(1) Technological and social innovation to improve the quality of life (Eg. Green
procurement strategies etc.)
(2) Provide and inform consumer choice (Eg. Eco-labeling, Green advertising etc)
(3) Reduce end-of-life waste through recycling, product stewardship etc.
(4) To improve the effectiveness and quality of product use (Eg. Eco design)
1.3.1.4 Environmental Management Strategies- Lifecycle management

1.3.1.5 Environmental Management Strategies – Design for environment (DFE)

DFE strategies examine and identify design measures that can be used to reduce the
environmental impact in each stage of the product’s life cycle.

 Raw materials: design measures relating e.g. to resource conservation.

 Manufacturing: providing for eco-efficiency in the production phase.
 Product use: making provision in product-use phase e.g. for energy and water efficiency,
reduced material use, and increased durability.
 End-of-life: key design considerations include design for disassembly, design for
durability, product re-use, and design for recycling.
1.3.1.6 Environmental Management Strategies – Product service systems
(1) Developing a marketable mix of products and services that are jointly capable of
fulfilling a client's need - with less environmental impact.
(2) A new concept for businesses to improve their sustainability performance.
(3) Analyze the needs of consumers that are fulfilled with products and services, and use this
as basis for innovation.
(4) A shift in focus from selling products to selling the utility provided by the product.

Product Stewardship

A product-centred approach to environmental management, where manufacturers – either

voluntarily or under pressure from government –take responsibility for the entire life-cycle
impacts of a product and its packaging.

Benefits

(1) Green marketing opportunities.

(2) Avoids regulation.
(3) Achieves environmental goals.

The objective of product stewardship is to encourage manufacturers to redesign products with

fewer toxins, to make them more durable, reusable, and recyclable, and using recycled materials.

Tools of Product Stewardship include:

-Take-back programs -Life-cycle management -Extended producer responsibility

-Leasing -Shared responsibility -Manufacturer responsibility

1.3.1.7 Environmental Management Strategies- Industrial Ecology

An interdisciplinary framework aimed at developing industrial systems that mimic natural
ecosystems, typically achieved through the symbiotic co-location of industries so that waste from
one industry can serve as a raw material input into another.

Industrial ecology encompasses a variety of related areas of research and practice, including:
• Material and energy flow studies ("industrial metabolism")
• Dematerialization and decarbonization
• Technological change and the environment
• Life-cycle planning, design and assessment
• Design for the environment ("eco-design")
• Extended producer responsibility ("product stewardship")
• Eco-industrial parks ("industrial symbiosis")
• Product-oriented environmental policy
• Eco-efficiency

1.3.1.8 Environmental Management Strategies – UNEP APELL

UNEP APELL is:

 A modular, flexible methodological tool for preventing accidents.

 Directly supported by the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA) and
numerous other partners.
 Achieved by assisting decision-makers and technical personnel to increase community
awareness as well as prepare coordinated response plans involving industry, government
and the local community.
 Also adapted for specific applications such as APELL For Port Areas (1996) , APELL for
Mining (2001) etc.

Benefits of APELL

(1) Reduce the likelihood of accidents and reducing their impacts.

(2) Help to build relationships between a company and the community - of benefit over the
long term.
(3) Assist in community awareness and understanding of the operation and its management -
should generate the confidence, trust and support which companies need whether or not
they experience an accident.
1.3.2 Environmental Assessment Tools
It can be divided into the following categories:

(1) Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

(2) Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA)
(3) Environmental Technology Assessment
(4) Cleaner Production opportunity Assessment
(5) Life-cycle Assessment

1.3.2.1 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

Environmental Impact Assessment refers to a planning tool that aims to identify and minimize
the environmental impacts associated with any proposed projects. In fact, the process involves an
analysis of the likely effects on the environment, recording those effects in a report, undertaking
a public consultation exercise on the report, identifying and evaluating alternatives, mitigating
measures, issuing environmental statements (EIA findings) and lastly informing the public about
the decision made afterwards.

In fact, the EIA aims to:

(1) Predict environmental impact at an early age in project planning and design.
(2) Find ways and means to reduce adverse impacts.
(3) Shape projects to suit the local environment.
(4) Present the prediction and options to decision-makers.

Benefits for preparing EIA report before carrying out a development:

(1) Reduce cost and time of project implementation and design.

(2) Avoid treatment/clean-up costs.
(3) Avoided impacts and violations of laws and regulations.
(4) Cost-saving modifications in project design.
(5) Increased project acceptance.

Benefits to local communities

(1) A healthier local environment (forests, water sources, agricultural potential, aesthetic values, and clean living in urban
areas)
(2) Maintenance of biodiversity.
(3) Fewer conflicts over natural resource use.
1.3.2.2 Environmental Risk Assessment
The environmental risk assessment typically comprise of Human Health risk assessment and
ecological health risk assessment.

It in fact:

 Describes a hazard. (For instance, a chemical pollutant which is detrimental to human

health or habitat loss impacting on biodiversity)
 Describes the potential for exposure to hazard.
 Estimates the risk or likelihood of a negative effect, based on the hazard and exposure.
 Considers uncertainties which may be inherent in arriving at the risk estimate.

NOTE: risk can be measured using a reference dose (RfD). RfD refers to exposure to hazard that
can be tolerated over a lifetime without harm. (Eg. Milligram of pollutant per body weight per
day)

1.3.2.3 Cleaner Production opportunity Assessment

It is a systematic approach to identifying opportunities for implementing cleaner production/eco-
efficiency measures in a company.

Identify opportunities relating for example to:

(1) Changing raw material and energy inputs.

(2) Organization and management practices.
(3) Changing equipment and process technologies.
(4) Re-using and recycling wastes (internally and externally).
(5) Introducing changes to the product and packaging.

1.3.2.4 Environmental Technology Assessment

1.3.2.5 Life-cycle Assessment (LCA)

1.3.2.6 Total Cost Assessment