Board of Environmental Sciences

ENVS211 Research Philosophy Design & Methods

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Environmental Auditing
Introduction

What is environmental auditing ?

An environmental audit is the systematic examination of the interactions between any business operation and its surroundings.

 This includes all emissions to air, land and water, legal constraints, the effects on the neighbouring community, landscape and ecology and the public’s perception of the operating company in the local area.

What is environmental auditing ?

It has been described as a ‘management tool’ comprising a systematic, documented, periodic and objective evaluation of how well environmental organisation, management and equipment are performing with the aim of helping to safeguard the environment by :

Facilitating management control of environmental protection

(b)Assessing compliance with company policies which would include meeting regulatory requirements.

 What is environmental auditing ?

What environmental auditing must not be thought of as is simply complying with legislation. Nor is it a public relations exercise. It is really about a strategic approach to the organisation’s activities. Some people have described it as a ‘cradle to grave’ process or, if you apply a total approach it may be thought of as ‘design to recycling’ of manufactured goods.

Company policy : is there a clear environmental policy statement approved at Board level ?

Communication : is there a communication policy covering environmental issues ?

Staff training and participation : are company staff trained to care for the environment at work ?

Raw materials : are there alternative raw materials that can be used to put less demand on the environment (eg. softwood vs. hardwood). Is recycling an option that could be implemented ?

Products and processes : do the company’s products and services incorporate the most effective technologies for minimising environmental impacts ?

Energy use : is there an energy policy as regards efficiency and reducing energy use (eg. insulation )

Waste and discharges : does the company know what waste it produces, how much and what it costs to dispose of or treat ? Is there a waste reduction programme in force

Transport and distribution : 

• How does the workforce travel to and from work? 

• Could this be organised to reduce fuel demands? 

• Is there a system for transporting dangerous goods and wastes?

Accidents and emergencies : are there systems for dealing with accidents including effective communication links to emergency services ?

•  What are we trying to achieve ?  

The following basic questions need to be answered in relation to the environmental performance of the company :

• What are we doing?

• Can we do it better?

• Can we do it more?

• Can we do it more cheaply?

 Detailed Notes are available here