Environmental Auditing Assignment 3
HES4811
Integrated Environmental Management Systems and Auditing
ASSIGNMENT 03: Environmental Auditing
Assignment Number: 337106
Contents
List of Tables Table 1: Compliance Audits vs. Management Audits 7
List of Figures
Figure 1. Clariant Global Chemical Company’s environmental goals for 2020. 12
3.0 Introduction
Environmental auditing’s purpose, its three main categories, and the key steps involved in running an environmental audit are discussed. Setting targets is an important step in the implementation of an environmental management system, and this topic is discussed in Section 4. A representative environmental audit of Phinda Game Reserve is presented in Section 5. The discipline of environmental auditing is an indispensable part of implementing an Environmental Management System.
3.1 The Purpose of Environmental Auditing
Environmental auditing undertakes to inspect, review and assess an organisation in terms of its environmental performance. “If the auditing process does not correct errors and stimulate improvements, then it is a waste of time” (Bunker, 2004). Environmental auditing should “help safeguard the environment and minimize risks to human health” (Coyle et al., 2011) although auditing cannot achieve this on its own, rather it is a management tool designed and carried out with this purpose in mind.
According to ISO 14001 (2004), the internal audit will determine whether the Environmental Management System (EMS) conforms to the EMS plans, whether these plans have been correctly implemented and maintained. The audit results must then be supplied to management (ISO, 2004) in order to allow for management reviews and for the rectification or remediation of any problems encountered during the audit.
Environmental Auditing will assist in determining how well an EMS and the equipment and processes planned and put into operation as part thereof, are performing, and whether a company
Integrated Environmental Management Systems and Auditing
ASSIGNMENT 03: Environmental Auditing
Assignment Number: 337106
Contents
List of Tables Table 1: Compliance Audits vs. Management Audits 7
List of Figures
Figure 1. Clariant Global Chemical Company’s environmental goals for 2020. 12
3.0 Introduction
Environmental auditing’s purpose, its three main categories, and the key steps involved in running an environmental audit are discussed. Setting targets is an important step in the implementation of an environmental management system, and this topic is discussed in Section 4. A representative environmental audit of Phinda Game Reserve is presented in Section 5. The discipline of environmental auditing is an indispensable part of implementing an Environmental Management System.
3.1 The Purpose of Environmental Auditing
Environmental auditing undertakes to inspect, review and assess an organisation in terms of its environmental performance. “If the auditing process does not correct errors and stimulate improvements, then it is a waste of time” (Bunker, 2004). Environmental auditing should “help safeguard the environment and minimize risks to human health” (Coyle et al., 2011) although auditing cannot achieve this on its own, rather it is a management tool designed and carried out with this purpose in mind.
According to ISO 14001 (2004), the internal audit will determine whether the Environmental Management System (EMS) conforms to the EMS plans, whether these plans have been correctly implemented and maintained. The audit results must then be supplied to management (ISO, 2004) in order to allow for management reviews and for the rectification or remediation of any problems encountered during the audit.
Environmental Auditing will assist in determining how well an EMS and the equipment and processes planned and put into operation as part thereof, are performing, and whether a company
References: Arter, DR 1994: Quality Audits for Improved Performance. ASQ Quality Press, 1994. http://www.qualitydigest.com/april00/html/management.html (accessed: 08/09/2013). Bunker AS, 2004: Effective Auditing: How to Be a Good Auditor. RSO Magazine (2004) Volume 9, No 3. Calcamite Tanks, 2013: Bio-mite recycling toilets. http://www.calcamitetanks.co.za/calcamite-products.php?cid=1e748bbe477512fa2a1823583473542b (accessed: 18/09/2013). Clariant, 2012: Sustainability Report 2012. http://www.clariant.com/C12575E4001FB2B8/vwLookupDownloads/Clariant_SustainabilityReport_2012.pdf/$FILE/Clariant_SustainabilityReport_2012.pdf (accessed: 10/09/2013). Council of Science and Technology Institutes Advisory Committee on the Environment, 1994. Environmental Information Paper 2: Environmental Auditing. https://www.dlsweb.rmit.edu.au/conenv/envi1128/Reading-CSTI.pdf (accessed: 18/09/2013). Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, 2004: Environmental Auditing, Integrated Environmental Management, Information Series 14. https://www.environment.gov.za/sites/default/files/docs/series14_environmental_auditing.pdf (accessed: 08/09/2013). Electricity Supply Commission of South Africa (2012). ESKOM Divisional Report for year ended March 2012. http://www.pads.eezeepage.co.za/i/69757/37 (accessed: 26/06/2013). Environmental Auditors, 2013: What is an Environmental Audit? http://www.environmentalauditors.com.au/what-is-an-environmental-audit.html (accessed: 05/09/2013). Environment Canada, 2010: Planning for a Sustainable Future: A Federal Sustainable Development Strategy for Canada. http://www.ec.gc.ca/dd-sd/default.asp?lang=En&n=16AF9508-1 (accessed: 06/09/2013). Holbrook, Scottish Natural Heritage, 1996: An introduction to Environmental Auditing. http://www.snh.org.uk/publications/on-line/advisorynotes/45/45.htm (accessed: 10/09/2013). INTOSAI Working Group on Environmental Auditing, 2007: Evolution and Trends in Environmental Auditing. http://www.environmental-auditing.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=91RsG1vxtGs%3D&tabid=73&mid=602 (accessed: 07/09/2013). ISO, 2004: ISO 14001:2004 (en) Environmental management systems — Requirements with guidance for use. https://www.iso.org/obp/ui/#iso:std:iso:14001:ed-2:v1:en (accessed: 08/09/2013). Narsai N, 2013: Personal Communication, Aveng Group, Morningside. Scottish Natural Heritage, 1996: An introduction to environmental auditing. http://www.snh.org.uk/publications/on-line/advisorynotes/45/45.htm (accessed: 09/09/2013) Swedavia, 2013: Swedavia’s Environmental Targets US Environmental Protection Agency, 1997: Environmental Audit Program Design Guidelines for Federal Agencies. http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/policies/incentives/auditing/envaudproguidemas.pdf (accessed: 05/09/2013). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2000: Integrated Environmental Management Systems: Implementation Guide.