The identification and assessment of the Environmental Aspects constitutes the previous step for its subsequent management and control within the framework of an EMS. NC ISO 14001: 2015 states in its requirement 6.1.4 that "the organization must plan the taking of actions to address its Significant Environmental Aspects…", in requirement 6.2.1 that "the organization must establish environmental objectives for the functions and relevant levels, taking into account the Significant Environmental Aspects of the organization …… ”. It is clear that identifying the Environmental Aspects and assessing their significance It is not an end in itself, what is truly important and decisive for the organization in the endeavor to achieve the expected results, lies in what it is going to plan, do, verify and improve to manage those Significant Environmental Aspects that are has identified and valued.
The effort invested to understand and determine the context and fundamentally to obtain the necessary knowledge to argue the evaluation criteria and make adequate use of the value scales; In addition to ensuring a reasonably coherent assessment of the significance of Environmental Aspects, it also guides us on the nature of the actions that we should plan and implement to address them.
In this sense, the elements, attributes, environmental factor and criteria used in the assessment of the significance of the Environmental Aspects, could reveal the key to taking actions that will ultimately be effective in their sustainable management.
As it is known (according to methodology published by the author):
The importance value of the environmental impacts is calculated through the expression: IM = F / P x C (I + E + P + S) Where:
IM -Importance of impact
F / P –Frequency (used when dealing with actual impacts) or Probability (used when dealing with potential impacts)
C - Consequence
The value of Consequence (C) in the formula is evaluated based on the criteria of:
I - Intensity
E - Extension
P - Persistence
S - Sensitivity
Presumably, organizations exercise greater control over the Intensity criterion in their efforts to reduce or minimize the significance of Environmental Aspects; However, below we will illustrate with an example where the influence can be exerted on the Sensitivity criterion. In addition, we will check how the very process of assessing the significance of Environmental Aspects based on knowledge of the context as an argument to weigh the evaluation criteria, can offer us guidelines to develop effective actions to address them (control and reduce the significance of Environmental Aspects).
Practical example:
It is an organization designed to process green coffee beans to obtain powdered coffee that is marketed in the wholesale and retail network. The processes and activities begin with the purchase, reception and storage of the raw material and continue with the roasting and roasting, grinding, packaging and marketing of the coffee powder. We will analyze the environmental aspect: Emissions of soot, dust and particles generated in the roasting and roasting activity and that are emitted into the atmosphere through the chimney.
Here is some information and knowledge captured in the process of determining and understanding the context of the organization:
- The establishment operates 8 h / d, 6 days a week. The entity is located in a densely populated residential area (environment where the organization operates); The closest dwellings are located 10 m from the establishment. Other simple effects (environmental impacts) are manifested in the environment where the organization operates, caused by actions (environmental aspects) such as noise, combustion gas emissions generated by mobile sources that act simultaneously; This implies an important synergy.There are health statistics that show a high prevalence of respiratory diseases in the area.There is evidence of complaints from the surrounding community, associated with the annoyances and affectations generated by the emissions of the establishment, which has undermined the image of the organization.The technology with which it operates is outdated and obsolete. What it entails, among other limitations; to the fact that the requirements or procedures for managing emissions in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way are not met almost entirely The company to which the entity is subordinate does not have sufficient financing in the short or medium term to invest in technology and modernization of equipment. The legal documents that contain the requirements that apply to the environmental aspect: Emissions of soot, dust and particles, are the following: NC 111: 2004. Air quality. Rules for the surveillance of air quality in human settlements, NC 39: 1999. Air quality. Hygienic-sanitary requirements, NC 1020: 2014. Air quality. PollutantsMaximum admissible concentrations and guide values in habitable areas (mandatory) Although not systematically, emissions have been monitored according to applicable regulations and substantial non-compliance with the regulations has been evidenced.maximum allowable concentrations; as well as the minimum admissible radius, which has led to fines and sanctions by regulatory bodies. Emissions exceed the limits of the organization and spread to other areas of the town. It is known that the direct effects of emissions constitute transitory impacts or leaks (those that disappear when the cause of their generation disappears). The technological flow; as well as the volume of equipment, technological lines and auxiliary services are minimal and without great technical complexity for their assembly and disassembly. m) The physical area occupied by the facility is relatively small.
With this information and knowledge about the context of the organization, we will proceed to evaluate the significance of the environmental aspect: Emissions of soot, dust and particles, applying the methodology previously published by the author.
Evaluation criteria: INTENSITY (I)
| Departures | Value |
Pollutant load levels 3
Waste management 3
Control and monitoring 2
Legal and other requirements 3
Infrastructure conditions 3
Complaints and claims 3
Arguments for the value assigned to Pollutant load levels ------ (b), (i)
Arguments for the value assigned to Waste Management - ----- (f)
Arguments for the value assigned to Control and monitoring - ----- (i)
Arguments of the value assigned to Legal requirements and other requirements ----- (b), (i)
Arguments for the value assigned to Infrastructure Conditions ---- (f)
Arguments for the value assigned to Complaints and claims ---- (e)
Evaluation criteria: FREQUENCY (F)
FREQUENCY CRITERIA VALUE
two
Arguments for the value assigned to Frequency ---- (a)
Evaluation criteria: EXTENSION (E)
EXTENSION CRITERIA VALUE
two
Arguments of the value assigned to Extension ---- (j)
Evaluation criteria: SENSITIVITY (S)
SENSITIVITY CRITERION VALUE
3
Arguments for the value assigned to Sensitivity ---- (b), (c), (d)
Evaluation criteria: PERSISTENCE (P)
PERSISTENCE CRITERION VALUE
one
Arguments for the value assigned to Persistence ---- (k)
The results of the assessment are as follows:
| 18 |
Importance Value
| TALL |
Significance SIGNIFICANT
| PRIMARY |
Priority
The results of the assessment reveal that the environmental aspect: Emissions of soot, dust and particles is of high significance, which gives it a first order priority level in the allocation of available resources and the implementation of actions to address the same and reduce its significance to tolerable and control values.
Thus:
What is the purpose?
Reduce the significance to tolerable and control values.
Influencing the values of the elements that make up the assessment criteria on the basis of a practical feasibility analysis based on the arguments provided by the reality of the context.
How do we approach it?
Intensity criterion analysis
The elements that make up this criterion: Pollutant load levels; Waste management; Control and monitoring; Legal requirements and other requirements Complaints and claims; Infrastructure conditions, to a large extent, are conditioned to this last element, argued according to: (f) - The technology with which it operates is outdated and obsolete. On the other hand, according to (g) - The company to which the entity is subordinate does not have sufficient financing in the short or medium term to invest in technology and equipment modernization; there is a strong argument that prevents any action in this regard. Therefore the possibility of influencing through the Intensity criterionand planning and implementing actions related to it is not feasible.
Analysis of the Frequency criterion
According to argument (a) - The establishment operates 8 h / d, 6 days a week. Reducing the hours of operation in a way that significantly influenced the reduction of negative effects would lead to inefficiency and ineffectiveness of the organization. Therefore, the possibility of influencing through the Frequency criterion and planning and implementing actions related to it is not feasible.
Analysis of the Extension criterion
According to argument (j) - Emissions exceed the limits of the organization and spread to other areas of the town. The attempt to reduce the affected physical area by switching to environmentally friendly technology is ruled out according to argument (g). Therefore, the possibility of influencing through the Extension criterion and planning and implementing actions related to it is not feasible.
Analysis of the Persistence criterion
According to argument (k) - It is known that the direct effects of emissions constitute transitory impacts or leaks (those that disappear when the cause of their generation disappears). This is an intrinsic quality of the environmental aspect in relation to its associated aspect, in addition to this, in the case that concerns us, it is at its minimum value. Therefore, the possibility of influencing through the Persistence criterion and planning and implementing actions related to it is not feasible.
Analysis of the sensitivity criterion
The arguments: (b) - The entity is located in a densely populated residential area (environment where the organization operates); the closest houses are 10 m from the establishment, (c) - In the environment where the organization operates, other simple effects (environmental impacts) are manifested, caused by actions (environmental aspects) such as noise, combustion gas emissions generated by mobile sources acting simultaneously; which implies an important synergy, (d) - There are health statistics that show a high prevalence of respiratory diseases in the area, (e) - There is evidence of complaints from the surrounding community, associated with the annoyances and affectations generated by emissions of the establishment, which has undermined the image of the organization; they condition that the value given to this criterion was the maximum.
However, according to arguments (l) - The technological flow; as well as the volume of equipment, technological lines and auxiliary services are minimal and without great technical complexity for their assembly and disassembly, (m) - The physical area occupied by the facility is relatively small; They induce to assess the possibility of relocation of the facility with a reasonable minimum cost to a non-residential area and that the prevailing wind direction is favorable so as not to affect residential areas.
Therefore, the possibility of influencing through the Sensitivity criterion and the possibility of planning and implementing actions related to this criterion is viable.
The effective planning and implementation of actions in this regard should reduce the value of the Sensitivity criterion, and even favorably influence the elements of Legal requirements and other requirements and Complaints and claims of the Intensity criterion.
Considering that effective actions were implemented in this regard, we will proceed to re- evaluate the significance of the environmental aspect: Emissions of soot, dust and particles
New arguments as a result of changes in the context of the organization, sequencing of the actions implemented to address the environmental aspect: Emissions of soot, dust and particles
- The entity is located in a non-residential area with a low population density; the nearest houses are 500 m from the establishment.
ñ) In the environment where the organization operates, no other simple effects (environmental impacts), caused by actions (environmental aspects) are manifested; which implies a low synergy.
- There is no evidence of complaints from the surrounding community, associated with the annoyances and affectations generated by the emissions of the establishment, which has strengthened the image of the organization. A new monitoring of emissions was carried out according to the applicable regulations and compliance was evidenced partial of them, which has led to the reduction of fines and sanctions by the regulatory bodies. There is no evidence of annoyances or effects on the health of the community in the area.
Evaluation criteria: INTENSITY (I)
| Departures | Value |
Pollutant load levels 3
Waste management 3
Control and monitoring 2
Legal and other requirements 2
Infrastructure conditions 3
Complaints and claims 1
Arguments for the value assigned to Pollutant load levels ------ (b), (i)
Arguments for the value assigned to Waste Management - ----- (f)
Arguments for the value assigned to Control and monitoring - ----- (i)
Arguments of the value assigned to Legal requirements and other requirements ----- (p) *
Arguments for the value assigned to Infrastructure Conditions ---- (f)
Arguments of the value assigned to Complaints and claims ---- (o) *
() * - Elements valued with the new arguments
Evaluation criteria: FREQUENCY (F)
FREQUENCY CRITERIA VALUE
two
Arguments for the value assigned to Frequency ---- (a)
Evaluation criteria: EXTENSION (E)
EXTENSION CRITERIA VALUE
two
Arguments of the value assigned to Extension ---- (j)
Evaluation criteria: SENSITIVITY (S)
SENSITIVITY CRITERION VALUE
one
Arguments of the value assigned to Sensitivity ---- (n) *, (ñ) *, (q) *
() * - Elements valued with the new arguments
Evaluation criteria: PERSISTENCE (P)
PERSISTENCE CRITERION VALUE
one
Arguments for the value assigned to Persistence ---- (k)
The results of the assessment are as follows:
| 12 |
Importance Value
| MEDIUM |
Significance SIGNIFICANT
SECONDARY priority
| BEFORE TAKING ACTIONS TO ADDRESS THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECT
SIGNIFICANT |
AFTER TAKING ACTIONS TO ADDRESS THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECT
SIGNIFICANT |
|||||
SIGNIFICANT
Importance Value
Significance
Priority |
SIGNIFICANT
Importance Value
Significance SECONDARY priority |
Even though after taking actions to address the environmental aspect, it remains significant, its importance value was reduced by 6 points (18-12) and the level of significance went from High to Medium, all of which results in an ascent of the organization's environmental performance, even when it is susceptible to improvement.
Through this example, our intention has been to denote the contributions provided by the entire process of identification and assessment of the significance of Environmental Aspects; in order to identify effective actions to address Significant Environmental Aspects.
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