Environmental management

meeting the needs but protecting the environment, Environmental education and training, Environmental degradation and pollution, Resource management, Environmental impact assessment, Environmental Management System, Elements of an EMS, ISO 14001 standard

1. Environmental Management Mr. Manoj H. Mota Department of Civil Engineering SITCOE

2. Environmental Management Environmental Management  can be defined as “the management of the interaction and impact of human activities on the natural environment ”. Environmental management tries to identify the factors that have a stake in the conflicts that may rise between meeting the needs but protecting the environment.

3. An environmental management system protects public health and safety by establishing procedures to limit or eliminate harmful substances from entering the environment, including public water systems. Every organization in some way affects the environment, which directly affects public health . In brief, environmental management is necessary for environmental planning which implies the optimal utilization of the earth's resources and preservation of the quality of environment for the healthy growth of society.

4. The components of environmental management are based on five fundamental aspects. Environmental perception and public awareness Environmental education and training Resource management Control of Environmental degradation and pollution Environmental impact assessment

5. Why is Environmental Management Necessary ? Strictly speaking, environmental management is necessary because it is a nationally mandated requirement for nearly every type of business. Various national regulations, regulates and limits the impact that businesses have on local environmental quality and public health . Essentially, environmental management focuses on resource consumption and waste generation

6. What is an EMS ? An Environmental Management System (EMS) is a framework that helps an organization achieve its environmental goals through consistent review, evaluation, and improvement of its environmental performance. This consistent review and evaluation will identify opportunities for improving and implementing the environmental performance of the organization. The EMS itself does not dictate a level of environmental performance that must be achieved; each organization's EMS is tailored to the own individual objectives and targets

7. Basic Elements of an EMS Reviewing the organization's environmental goals Analyzing its environmental impacts and legal requirements Setting environmental objectives and targets to reduce environmental impacts and comply with legal requirements Establishing programs to meet these objectives and targets Monitoring and measuring progress in achieving the objectives Ensuring employees' environmental awareness and competence Reviewing progress of the EMS and making improvements

8. An Environmental Management System (EMS) is a set of processes and practices that enable an organization to reduce its environmental impacts and increase its operating efficiency An EMS helps an organization address its regulatory demands in a systematic and cost-effective manner. This proactive approach can help reduce the risk of non-compliance and improve health and safety practices for employees and the public.

9. Potential Benefits Improved environmental performance Enhanced compliance Pollution prevention Resource conservation New customers/markets Increased efficiency/reduced costs Enhanced employee morale Enhanced image with public, regulators, lenders, investors Employee awareness of environmental issues and responsibilities

10. ISO 14001 standard The most commonly used framework for an EMS is the one developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) for the ISO 14001 standard. Established in 1996, this framework is the official international standard for an EMS which is based on the Plan-Do-Check-Act methodology .

11. Stages of an EMS The five main stages of an EMS, as defined by the ISO 14001 standard , 1. Commitment and Policy 2 . Planning 3 . Implementation 4 . Evaluation 5 . Review

12. 1. Commitment and Policy -  Top management commits to environmental improvement and establishes the organization's environmental policy. The policy is the foundation of the EMS. 2. Planning -  Identification of environmental aspects of its operations. (e.g. air pollutants or hazardous waste) Determination of significant aspects. ( e.g. worker health and safety, environmental compliance, cost etc.) Setting objectives and target ( e.g . reduce use of chemical X by 25% by September 2020). Devising an action plan for meeting the targets. ( e.g. designating responsibilities, establishing a schedule, and outlining clearly defined steps to meet the targets)

13. 3. Implementation -  A organization follows through with the action plan using the necessary resources (human, financial, etc.). An important component is employee training and awareness for all employees. Other steps in the implementation stage include documentation, following operating procedures, and setting up internal and external communication lines. 4. Evaluation -  A company monitors its operations to evaluate whether targets are being met. If not, the company takes corrective action. 5. Review -  Top management reviews the results of the evaluation to see if the EMS is working. Management determines whether the original environmental policy is consistent with the organization's values. The plan is then revised to optimize the effectiveness of the EMS. The review stage creates a loop of continuous improvement for a company .

14. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a process which ensures that all environmental matters are taken into account quite early in the project at planning process itself. It takes into consideration not only technical and economic considerations but also, traditional aspects like impact on local people, biodiversity etc.

15. Essential Elements Identification of possible positive or negative impacts of the project. Quantifying impacts with respect to common base. Preparation of mitigation plan to offset the negative impacts.

16. Why EIA? EIA is intended to prevent or minimize potentially adverse environmental impacts and enhance the overall quality of a project. The main benefits and advantages of EIA are: Lower project costs in the long-term Increased project acceptance Improved project design Informed decision making Environmentally sensitive decisions Increased accountability and transparency Reduced environmental damage Improved integration of projects into their environmental and social settings

17. The EIA should identify , describe and assess the direct and indirect effects of a project on the following factors: Human beings Fauna and flora Soil, Water & Air Climate and the landscape Material Assets Cultural Heritage Interaction between all above factors EIA therefore should have a very strong social dimension

18. EIA Clearance Total EIA clearance is required for 32 categories of developmental works broadly categorized into following industrial sectors: Mining Thermal power plant River valley Infrastructure (Road, highway, ports, harbour , airports, Industries including very small electroplating or foundry units Certain activities permissible under Coastal Regulation Zone Act 1991, also require similar clearance

19. Summery… Environmental management can be considered all of the practices, policies, and procedures that a facility undertakes in order to comply with local, state and/or federal environmental legislation. This means monitoring the releases of pollutants to the air , water, or waste streams resulting environmental degradation. An Environmental Management System (EMS) is a set of processes and practices that enable an organization to reduce its environmental impacts and increase its operating efficiency.