Environmental Affairs

Lesson 1: Introduction to key environmental issues today

Policy, processes and systems

An important aim of this course is to reach an understanding of environmental management from a policy, process and systems point of view. UNEP provides a good example of what such a method entails.

An Environmental Management System (EMS) is a method of incorporating environmental care throughout the corporate structure. EMS includes strategic planning activities, the organisational structure and implementation of the environmental policy as an integral part of the manufacturing process. It is a useful tool to implement to comply with legislation, address stakeholder pressure and improve corporate image and raise awareness of environmental issues.

EMS is a problem-identification and problem-solving tool, based on the concept of continual improvement, that can be implemented in an organisation in many different ways, depending on the sector of activity and the needs perceived by management. In particular, standards for EMS have been developed by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and by the European Commission – Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS).

Key Elements · Undertake an initial environmental review; · Define an environmental policy; · Develop an environmental action plan and define environmental responsibilities; · Develop internal information and training courses; · Audit the environmental management system and conduct an environmental management review.

If possible, do obtain the recommended resource book “Vital Signs 2002: The Environmental Trends That Are Shaping Our Future”. It will provide you with some excellent background reading.

Alternatively, you can scout through the UNEP report “The Global Environment Outlook-3: THE STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT: PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE?”

*** Spend some time reading, before you move on to Lesson Two ***

An environmental manager is usually a specialist or expert in one or two fields, but a good manager is always knowledgeable in a wide number of themes and issues. This is perhaps more important in environmental management than in most specialty fields, as per definition the environment is all encompassing. Only if one can recognize and take into account factors from neighboring fields of science, will one succeed in understanding and indeed preserving as well as sustainably utilizing the environment and its resources.

In the different sections of the main lessons, selected issues will be examined with the aim of providing a basic overview of management problems related to the issues presented. A fair amount of reading will be required to build up such a basis and to allow for feed-back on how you have understood the key issues and concepts, each over-arching topic will have the possibility for a short interactive session in which you can ask questions or provide an opinion on a question presented to you.

Finally, before you move on to the next lesson, you should do this study exercise.

At

http://www.wbcsd.org/newscenter/reports/...

you will find a unique 18-page learning tool. It presents a complete picture of the concept of sustainable development. It uses few words, opting instead for a graphical description of the connections between the natural, economic, and social dimensions of our world. In six stages it brings the complete picture alive and helps to better organize and manage the mass of information that keeps rolling out on the issues of sustainable development. If possible, do print this out; it makes for a great reference sheet.

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