ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY

AND
STANDARDS
Lesson 2
Two major terms on how to describe environmental policy
1. Environment
 refers to the physical ecosystems, but can also take into consideration the
social dimension (quality of life, health) and an economic dimension (resource
management, biodiversity).
2. Policy
 can be defined as a "course of action or principle adopted or proposed by a
government, party, business or individual".

Thus, environmental policy tends to focus on problems arising from human impact on the
environment, which is important to human society by having a (negative) impact on human values.
Such human values are often labeled as good health or the 'clean and green' environment. In
practice, policy analysts provide a wide variety of types of information to the public decision making
process.
Environmental policy is the
commitment of an organization or
government to the laws, regulations,
and other policy mechanisms
concerning environmental issues such
as:
air and water pollution
waste management
ecosystem management
maintenance of biodiversity
the management of natural resources
wildlife and endangered species
 Examples of environmental policy

For example concerning environmental policy:

 The implementation of an eco-energy-oriented policy at a global level to address the
issues of global warming and climate changes could be addressed.

 Policies concerning energy or regulation of toxic substances including pesticides and

many types of industrial waste are part of the topic of environmental policy.

This policy can be deliberately taken to influence human activities and thereby prevent
undesirable effects on the biophysical environment and natural resources, as well as to
make sure that changes in the environment do not have unacceptable effects on humans.
• Environmental policy, conservation and the management of natural resources were
once the function of appointed officials in the public sector (Mitchell, 1989).

• More recently, environmental policy and management has been constructed as a

broader project, requiring the direct involvement of communities, individuals,
nongovernment organizations, and the corporate sector. Thus, a tendency has
emerged for responsibility for environmental protection and management in
support of the public interest to be assigned more broadly.

• An environmental policy helps set the tone for an organization, facility, or

department regarding environmental protection and sustainability, must be clearly
articulated from the top, and must permeate all the way throughout an
organization, facility, or department’s structure.
• There are many substantial federal, city, or local level laws and regulations regarding
protecting the environment. However, in many cases, there is still an awful lot of room for
improvement when it comes to preventing pollution, saving energy, and limiting
greenhouse gases, which means going far and above compliance.

• Environmental policies must include a pledge to continually measure and improve

environmental performance, and many include a promise to seek ways to reduce energy,
limit fuel consumption, lessen emissions, prevent pollution, reduce greenhouse gases, and
reduce potable water consumption, or an infinite number of other appropriate metrics,
that when measured can show improvement in environmental sustainability. The
environmental policy decrees to the entire organization what is of utmost importance to
an organization, beyond financial and budgetary concerns.
 Effects of Environmental Policy
1. Environmental policies can increase environmental sustainability when
implemented.
2. Environmental policies promote innovation in many different ways.
• Exp 1 The article," British Columbia's revenue-neutral carbon tax: A review of the latest
'grand experiment' in environmental policy" states that in 2012 the effect of the gasoline
sales tax in British Columbia caused a reduction in gasoline sales of 11% to 17%. What is
obtained from this information is that people are willing to find alternatives in
transportation in save money. This could mean that the implementation of stricter
environmental policies, could draw higher percentages of sustainability.
• Exp 2 The text," Content analysis of China's environmental policy instruments on
promoting firms' environmental innovation", China's environmental policy form promoted
innovation through notices, measures, 'opinions', 'law', regulations, announcements,
decisions, regulations, and rules. Pushing environmental policies in such ways can reach a
population in many different ways. Like opinions brings the public voice into the matter,
but regulation sets a standard for what needs to be done.
• The business mission and information about its operations. Bear in mind that if
your business activities or operations change significantly, you may need to
amend the policy.
• A commitment to continually improve your environmental performance.
• A commitment to prevent pollution and effectively manage your significant
environmental impacts.
• The expectations that your business has in relation to external parties such as
suppliers and contractors.
• Recognition that you will comply with relevant environmental legislation as a
minimum level of performance.
• Education and training of employees in environmental issues and the
environmental effects of their activities.
• Monitoring progress and reviewing environmental performance against targets
and objectives on a regular basis (usually yearly or in the first six months initially).
• A commitment to communicate your business' environmental aims and objectives
to all staff, as well as to customers, investors and other external stakeholders.
• Additional issues relevant to your business that you may wish to address in your
environmental policy
Additional issues relevant to your business that you
may wish to address in your environmental policy could
include:
• transport - for example the vehicles • use of biodegradable chemicals
you own or use
• minimizing use of solvents and lead-
• minimizing waste - yours and from based paints
suppliers
• use of timber or wood products from
• reusing packaging and other sustainable (managed) forests
materials
• procedures to minimize noise
• recycling disturbance to neighbors
• efficient use of water and energy • phasing out of ozone-depleting
substances
• If your business is linked closely to key customers through the supply chain,
obtain a copy of their environmental policy, so that your statements can
reflect their requirements and needs.

• Your policy should demonstrate commitment by senior management and is

usually signed by the managing director, chairperson or chief executive.

• You may want to integrate your environmental policy with other policies on
health and safety, quality management, corporate social responsibility or
sustainability.
Some of the business benefits of an
environmental policy include:
• helping you to stay within the law
• keeping employees informed about their environmental roles and responsibilities
• improving cost control
• reducing incidents that result in liability
• conserving raw materials and energy
• improving your monitoring of environmental impacts
• improving the efficiency of your processes
ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARD
 Established by governments, encompasses regulations and civil laws governing
activities like monitoring, land use, and water permits. These standards vary based on
environmental factors. They serve as guidelines for managing human impact on the
environment, emphasizing specific quality criteria. The development and
implementation of these standards involve scientific input, public perspectives, and
social considerations, occurring within legal, administrative, or private frameworks to
create enforceable laws for environmental protection.
 Environmental standards are consist of
three major environmental law:
• In the 1970s, the United States • In the context of environmental standards,
government enacted three major three major environmental laws in Philippines
environmental laws:
 Clean Air Act (RA No. 8749)
 Clean Air Act,
 Clean Water Act (RA No. 9275)
 Clean Water Act, and
 Philippine Mining Act of 1995
 Toxic Substances Control Act.
(RA No. 7942)

Elected representatives passed this environmental legislation to increase

regulations regarding air, water and toxic substances, and Mining.

What is the purpose of
environmental standards?
The purpose of environmental health
standards is to reduce or eliminate
health or environmental hazards
What are the benefits of
environmental standards?
• For environmental regulation, the social
benefits include the
 reductions in morbidity or premature
mortality that can accompany cleaner air,
 the enhanced recreational opportunities
that can result from water-quality
improvements,
 the increased land values that might
attend the cleanup of a hazardous waste
site.
 What is ISO environmental standards?
 ISO 14001 is a global standard for environmental management system (EMS),
widely adopted worldwide with over 360,000 certificates issued. It outlines the
requirements for creating and maintaining an effective EMS, Making it a key
standard for environmental practices internationally. This agreement sets the
criteria for organizations to establish systems addressing environmental
responsibilities.

It helps organizations improve their environmental performance through more efficient

use of resources and reduction of waste, gaining a competitive advantage and the trust
of stakeholders.
 International Organization for
Organization (ISO)
ISO 9001 : Quality Management
• Many Philippine companies,
especially in manufacturing and
service industries, seek ISO 9001
certification. This standard focuses
only on quality management
systems, ensuring consistent quality
in products or services. Companies
use ISO 9001 to enhance customer
satisfaction and operational
efficiency.
ISO 14001: Environmental
Management
• Organizations in the Philippines,
ranging from industries to
government agencies, may adopt ISO
14001 for environmental
management. This standard help
them establish systems to minimize
their environmental impact, adhere
to regulations, and promote
sustainable practices
What is the economic benefit of
implementing environmental standards in
industries?
• First, it allows firms to choose the cheapest way to reduce emissions. Profit-
maximizing firms will have an incentive to do so.
• Second, it gives incentives to firms that can reduce emissions at lowest cost to do
most of the reduction and sell their pollution allowances to other firms.
 Reporters:
ASTURIAS, ELIJAH MAE F.
MORTEL, MARY DIVINE G.