ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (EMS): AUDITING (Unit-5 Part -II)

ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (EMS)

PART-2

Environmental Impact Assessment

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a process of evaluating the likely environmental impacts of a proposed project or development, taking into account inter-related socio-economic, cultural and human-health impacts, both beneficial and adverse.

The purpose of the assessment is to ensure that decision makers consider the environmental impacts when deciding whether or not to proceed with a project. The International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA) defines an environmental impact assessment as "the process of identifying, predicting, evaluating and mitigating the biophysical, social, and other relevant effects of development proposals prior to major decisions being taken and commitments made". 

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) defines Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) as a tool used to identify the environmental, social and economic impacts of a project prior to decision-making. It aims to predict environmental impacts at an early stage in project planning and design, find ways and means to reduce adverse impacts, shape projects to suit the local environment and present the predictions and options to decision-makers. By using EIA both environmental and economic benefits can be achieved, such as reduced cost and time of project implementation and design, avoided treatment/clean-up costs and impacts of laws and regulations.

Although legislation and practice vary around the world, the fundamental components of an EIA would necessarily involve the following stages: 

a.    Screening to determine which projects or developments require a full or partial impact assessment study;

b.     Scoping to identify which potential impacts are relevant to assess (based on legislative requirements, international conventions, expert knowledge and public involvement), to identify alternative solutions that avoid or compensate adverse impacts on biodiversity (including the option of not proceeding with the development, finding alternative designs or sites which avoid the impacts, incorporating safeguards in the design of the project, or providing compensation for adverse impacts), and finally to derive terms of reference for the impact assessment;

c.    Assessment and evaluation of impacts and development of alternatives, to predict and identify the likely environmental impacts of a proposed project or development, including the detailed elaboration of alternatives;

d.   Reporting the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) or EIA report, including an environmental management plan (EMP), and a non-technical summary for the general audience.

e.   Review of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), based on the terms of reference (scoping) and public (including authority) participation.

f.    Decision-making on whether to approve the project or not, and under what conditions it should be approved

g.  Monitoring, compliance, enforcement and environmental auditing. Monitor whether the predicted impacts and proposed mitigation measures occur as defined in the EMP. Verify the compliance of proponent with the EMP, to ensure that unpredicted impacts or failed mitigation measures are identified and addressed in a timely fashion.

Environmental Impact Statement

An environmental assessment (EA) is an environmental analysis prepared pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act to determine whether a federal action would significantly affect the environment and thus require a more detailed Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The certified release of an Environmental Assessment results in either a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) or an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

 

Following Figure shows the general structure of the EIA process, which should be followed while preparing environmental impact statement (EIS) for all types of projects.

In India

The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) of India has been in a great effort in Environmental Impact Assessment in India. The main laws in action are

·        Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act -1972

·        Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act -1974

·        Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act -1981

·        Environment (Protection) Act -1986

·        Biological Diversity Act -2002

 

The responsible body for this is the Central Pollution Control Board. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) studies need a significant amount of primary and secondary environmental data. Primary data are those collected in the field to define the status of the environment (like air quality data, water quality data etc.). Secondary data are those collected over the years that can be used to understand the existing environmental scenario of the study area. The environmental impact assessment (EIA) studies are conducted over a short period of time and therefore the understanding of the environmental trends, based on a few months of primary data, has limitations. Ideally, the primary data must be considered along with the secondary data for complete understanding of the existing environmental status of the area. In many EIA studies, the secondary data needs could be as high as 80% of the total data requirement. EIC is the repository of one stop secondary data source for environmental impact assessment in India.

 

The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) experience in India indicates that the lack of timely availability of reliable and authentic environmental data has been a major bottle neck in achieving the full benefits of EIA. The environment being a multi-disciplinary subject, a multitude of agencies are involved in collection of environmental data. However, no single organization in India tracks available data from these agencies and makes it available in one place in a form required by environmental impact assessment practitioners. Further, environmental data is not available in enhanced forms that improve the quality of the EIA. This makes it harder and more time-consuming to generate environmental impact assessments and receive timely environmental clearances from regulators. With this background, the Environmental Information Centre (EIC) has been set up to serve as a professionally managed clearing house of environmental information that can be used by MoEF, project proponents, consultants, NGOs and other stakeholders involved in the process of environmental impact assessment in India. EIC caters to the need of creating and disseminating of organized environmental data for various developmental initiatives all over the country.

 

EIC stores data in GIS format and makes it available to all environmental impact assessment studies and to EIA stakeholders in a cost effective and timely manner. So that we can manage that in different proportions such as remedy measures etc.

Environmental Auditing 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines an environmental audit as “a systematic, periodic, documented and objective review by regulated entities of facility operations and practices related to meeting environmental requirements.

Objectives of Environmental Audit

Environmental audit is a tool used to evaluate the effectiveness of environmental efforts performed by an organization and focusing on the following objectives:

1.  To assess the establishment and implementation of environmental management system in an organization. 

2.      To review management system, environmental policies and other provisions.

3.      To authenticate standards, legal and others environmental regulations.

4.      To identify the new approaches/methods and areas for enhancing environment problems.

5.      To verify the information, data and records 

6.   To identify weaknesses and problems associated with operations at the same time point out more effective methods to ensure better performance. 

7.      To check the emergency strategy, safety systems and actions in an effective manner.

8.      Confirm the design specification, resource utilization, treatment and disposable facilities.

Preparing for the audit

The types of audit may vary according to the need and type of the concern organization. The elementary areas under consideration of audit programmes air and water quality; Energy, water and waste management; EMS performance etc. The environmental audit can be conducted by the individuals of the organization called internal audits and if by the external party or consultants called external audits. ISO 14010, ISO 14011 and ISO 14012 are the three important Environmental standards where ISO 14010 defines the common principles to all audits; ISO 14011 explains the process for the audit; ISO 14012 explains the qualification criteria for an auditor.  

The environmental manager should maintain an EMS audit schedule showing:

1.      The frequency and timing of audits;

2.      Specific areas and activities to be audited;

3.      Identity and qualification of auditor (s);

4.      Auditing and reporting criteria.

Hence, Environmental audits are the regular evaluation tool that helps an organization to examine and comparing operating methods and processes against standard procedures ensuring compliance with the laws and standards. Therefore, enhance the awareness regarding environmental problems as well as planning for efficient responses. It makes the management more efficient regarding use of resources and more financial savings.

Hospitality Industry – Operations and Guidelines, Checklist and self audits of EMS

·    An Environment Management System (EMS) is a part of the overall management system that includes organizational structure, planning activities, responsibilities etc.

·      An EMS provides a mechanism for a hotel to operate in an environmentally responsible manner, anticipate and meet growing environmental performance expectations and ensure compliance with regulatory and legislative requirements.

Operations and Guidelines

·     EMS helps to utilize resources and reduce operating cost: all operating activities such as purchase of raw materials, product packaging, product usage will be under systematic control to minimize environmental impact. It reduces pollution, energy consumption etc.

·    Credibility for loans and insurance: Banks and companies are increasingly reviewing environmental liabilities before securing capital assets for financing. A hotel with lower environmental risks can obtain financing more easily.

·  Compliance with environmental legislation: An organization implementing EMS is able to study legal requirements to comply with environmental legislation and prevent the risk of prosecution.

·    Prevent accidents and health hazards: Use of non-hazardous chemicals and bio-degradable products will help in protecting health of the employees and guests.

·  Meet the guest expectations: With increasing public awareness about environmental protection, environment-conscious guests are likely to choose and patronize a hotel with a sound environmental performance. Implementing EMS in a hotel can help heighten guest awareness of the hotel’s management’s skills and it being environmentally friendly.

· Enhance public image: With rising standards of living and public awareness of environment protection, a hotel exuding a sound environmental concern can build up a green image as well as establish a credible public image.

EMS AUDIT

·     Prior to getting a third party audit conducted in their establishment for the ISO 14000 certificate, organizations should first get their internal audits done in a proper manner.

·      Periodic EMS audits will establish whether or not at all of all the requirements of the EMS are being carried out in a specified manner.

·      Draw up an EMS audit plan which details the schedule for the audits, members of the audit team and scope of the audit.

·    Prepare an EMS audit checklist which is then distributed by the EMS Manager to the audit team members.

·      Pay special attention to the activities that were previously found to be deficit.

·      This plan has to be reviewed annually, based on the scope and schedule of the EMS audits.

·     The schedule shall ensure that all areas are audited during twelve month period and that the audit process does not become too demanding on the staff.

·       Half yearly or quarterly audits may be carried out, depending on the plan.

·   A consolidated EMS report should be made, a copy of which should be given to the General Manager, Executives and Departmental Heads.

·    During the course of the audit, the auditor should discuss identified deficiencies with the people who work in the area.

·      This will help the auditors verify that their understanding is correct.

·      It can also serve as refresher training (on EMS requirement) for the staff.

If possible train at least two people within the organization (from different departments) as Internal Auditors.

Please follow the given link to understand about Green Building Project-LEED

LEED FROM SlideShare

LEED from Wikipedia

LEED Rating Systems in India

Please follow the given link to understand about Green Building Project-LEED

Green Rating Project (GRP) in India

Rain Water Harvesting- Green_rating project

Self-Assessment Questions 

1.     What is the significance of environmental audits?

2.   What do you mean by “Environmental Auditing”? Explain the basic objectives of environmental auditing.

3.     Discuss the general characteristics of environmental audits.

4. What is India Green Rating Project? How it help to industrial units to become environment friendly?

5.  What is LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)- Design for Green Building? Explain with   suitable example.

6.  What is EMS and  ISO 14001? Describe its salient features if ISO:14001 and its importance in protecting environment.