Multiple-Baseline Framework for Evaluation of Environmental Management and Management Systems - Case Study Example

Running Head: ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT Environment Management of the of the Environment Management Past few years proved that we are exposed to the dangers of the environment due to the uncontrolled exploitation of natural reserves as seen during two spells of extraordinary heavy rainfall in June 2007 of Sheffield. The heavy rainfall caused unwanted and unprecedented events in the City and the massive departure of a number of people and their belongings from the city. Heavy rainfall caused considerable financial losses and harm to the environment. Global warming, greenhouse effect, ozone layer destruction, and constant devastation of tropical rainforests are only three examples of how the principle of sustainable development has been violated. (Caratti P, Dalkmann H, Jiliberto, 2004) During previous years the main concept of environmental management is entirely changed its status. However, the basic concept of environment management is still basically unaltered. (Caratti P, Dalkmann H, Jiliberto R, 2004) This study involves a multiple-baseline framework to evaluate environmental management and management systems, International environmental concerns such as Greenhouse effect, Ozone depletion and many others. (Ismaili M, Durmishi, 2006) Moreover, it identifies and analyses the relevant regulatory frameworks to assess new technologies and approaches used for environmental management. The study is meant to assess how the selected topic fits in to the overall environment management. The end of this study will present numerous significant recommendations. Its possible outcome involves significant improvement in the knowledge and understanding of most modern concepts of environment management. The study provides knowledge and new directions to future training and research work within the field of environment management. The environment management community has been trying to implement laws and increase public awareness to help improve the water and air quality as well as to control solid wastes; the need is to observe potential polluters and to protect the nature. There is need to understand environmental issues. Like, the reduction of sulphur emission in the air (the only cause of acid rains), prohibition of materials that are dangerous for the ozone layer, transport control, elimination of hazardous wastes and establishment of secure standards about swimming waters. We need to supplement the old legal measures, the change is required to add a whole spectrum of new measures in order to achieve the sustainability principle like economic instruments to encourage used products and processes and financial instruments of which life is the only one which is directly committed to the environmental protection. According to the summary of the British Environment Ministry, progress is needed in terms of the integration of the environment issues in different area policies. More progress should be achieved in the industrial area where the legislation has been functioning for more than 20 years now and economic advantages are obvious, and finally progress is also needed to improve agriculture and tourism. (Mulev, 2007) In the area of transportation, problems have been increasing; however, progress has been made in terms of car fumes emission, quality of fuel and technology of fuel production. The problem is that the increase in the number of vehicles has put a shadow on these improvements. In the energy sector, the environmental protection is presented on both, the problematic and soluble side as a lack of the internationalisation of expenses for the environment at energy prices. In some sectors, the improvement of environmental quality has been shown on the Environment report which puts its emphasis on chlorine-fluorides, nitric oxides, compounding of heavy metals, etc. In some pollution areas, improvements are expected to happen in 2015: Sulphur dioxide (SO2) emission; Emission of elements hazardous to the ozone layer Release of heavy metals in the area of the Northern Sea and continental waters; Emission of carbon dioxide (CO2). The unpredictability of the problem for pollution makes citizens wait for the end of the year so that they can see the first signs of the reduction of this kind of pollution. The efforts to reduce pollution are on the right path as regards some environmental areas, but it is still far away from its ambitions in the following sectors: Acidity. Expansion of critical changes will continue further on; Compounding of heavy elements. Besides the reduction of these compositions, due to disobedience of directives, this kind of pollution will still grow; Nitrates. The potable water standards have been rarely violated thanks to the reduction in the use of nitric components in agriculture. But, still, the presence of nitrates in ground waters is that large that we cannot expect any progress without proper de-nitrification processes; Solid waste management. Besides the expansion of the policy for prevention of this kind of wastes, the problem is still acute. Future benefits from recycling will be covered by the process expenses and by market needs for recycled materials; Living urban environment. Problems in this area, especially those related to accidents will continue to be accumulated in many towns and cities; Biodiversity protection. Problems grow bigger with the expansion of transportation and tourism development even though certain areas are well protected. At the same time, changes in agriculture have been reduced in accordance with the Common Agricultural Policy and ecological measures undertaken in farms. Shortage of natural resource will undoubtedly affect future competence of our environment. As far as field of environment is concerned, the expectation from market-stimulated solutions are high, latest processes of conservation and production of alternative solutions may prove to be effective. The following threatening area of shortage, is strategic minerals which is of crucial importance for the stability of economy. Then comes the scarcity of water and food availability, which appears as the utmost long-term (20-30 year) intimidation to the nations for its impacts on world stability. (Inoue and Isozaki, 2003) If current trends of scarcity of natural resources persist any longer, undoubtedly the upcoming years can be anticipated to be more polluted, more crowded, economically less stable and more at risk to create disturbance in the planet where we live at present. Depletion of natural resources represents lack of efforts made by the governments to preserve them. This conditions will prove to be extremely hazardous if governments take no actions in terms of institutions, public policies or rates of technological advancement. In the start of twentieth century none of the countries within European continent had total economic independence. More or less each European country, except the United Kingdom, had no expertise in any particular type of production. Future environmental protection strategies The need is to put the emphasis on the sustainable development, which also requires environmental caretaking to be integrated within the policy of all sectors. Due to the specific requirement by government and state leaders, the Ministry for Environmental issues will need to build up a strategy for the accomplishment of these objectives. The global importance of the Action Plan of the Ecologic Programme can be noted in the implementation of the same during the period from 1992 to 1999 and presented the possibilities of sustainable development in the upcoming decades. (Faure M, Niessen, 2006) By determining the directions of the Action Plan Policy, special attention should be paid to: Actual situation of the environment and expected trends (including the effects of previous measures) The terms of the Agreement The way of implementation of sustainable development principles in international trade. The Ecologic Action Plan should represent the ecologic pillars of the union put on a wide concept of sustainable development. This programme can be improved through the process of common decision-making of the Council and the Commission. No bigger innovations or initiatives are needed in this programme and it relies on four pillars: Climatic changes Biodiversity and environmental protection Environment and health Resources and wastes The environment management programme should be built upon political topics like exploiting fiscal and economic instruments as well as ecological responsibilities of citizens in order to encourage economy, which would function in line with the protection and improvement of the environment. Environment management programme must emphasise the need for public and civic involvement. At the same time, full accountability is required by British citizens as well. (Ismaili M, Durmishi, 2006) Structural and cohesive funds as well as means of their distribution at regional and local level have great impact on areas such as soil utilisation planning and ecologic management. The action plan mentions regional and local authorities as being central spots of the sustainable development in relation to nature and its resources. The environment management plan, should be based on sector approaches where agriculture, industry, energy, wastes etc., are special objectives. (Mohora E, Grncarovska Obradovic, 2007). The action plan will emphasise the need for a consistent measure pack, which will balance the development and ecologic issues. Business is motivated to become more inventive and have the least impact on the environment. There are certain bodies within the Britain whose aim is to support industry in fulfilling these objectives. Generally, the successful implementation of their plan and policy will depend on four factors: Policy has to rely on "sound science". This means that all measures and activities have to have a total scientific meaning Policy and strategy have to be formulated upon existing agreements so that their efficiency is enabled The first responsibility of the program has to be related to the society in order to be able to develop an economic - ecologic policy Long consultations and discussions about policy development. As mentioned earlier, there should be four priorities of the Environmental Action Plan: limitation of climatic changes, nature and biodiversity, health and ecology and sustainable development of natural resources. In order for these objectives to be met, the plan will use different approaches of the strategic action. (Ismaili M, Durmishi, 2006) Recommendations and conclusions Some of the standards which are expected to be fulfilled are as follows: Improvement of the implementation of the existing legislation; Inclusion of integral ecological approach in decisions by remaining sector policies (development, agriculture, economy); Definition of new ways of cooperation with the market and consumers; Encouragement of better utilisation of the soil and its management; Preparation and implementation of environmental policies, legislation and programmes in accordance with partnership standards of the Britain and rest of EU; Observation of the environment, nature and space; evaluation of and permission release for interventions in the environment; Spacious planning Sustainable management of natural resources Nature conservation Data management on environment and space as well as information. Raise of public awareness and its inclusion in the process of decision-making and education Mobilisation of financial resources and investments Decentralisation and cooperation with BVL Partnership for interested parties International cooperation Provision of public services The need is to have a professionally mature and ethical attitude towards preservation of natural resources within countries. Countries are still struggling to become established as the solution of the problem. First thing that nations need to do is to take ownership and responsibility. The second thing is to uphold the natural resources wisely, instead of trying to cover up the problems. The third important thing is to possess an agenda to develope a plan and reduce hazards of natural resources. Currently, peoples livelihoods are suffering because of presence of all sorts of pollutants within the environment, and it is governments’ responsibility to make efforts to make sure that our environment is made as freer from pollutants as possible. Every country needs to use every available resource in order to meet human requirements at the same time as preserving the environment. By doing so governments will not only fulfill requirements for existing citizens but will also care for generations to come. References Caratti P, Dalkmann H, Jiliberto R, (2004) Analysing Strategic Environmental Assessment - Towards Better Decision, Edward Elger Publishing Limited. Pg 203 Faure M, Niessen N, (2006) Environmental Law in Development - Lessons from the Indonesian Experience, Edward Elger Publishing Limited. Pg 1-5 Government of the Republic of Macedonia (2008) Second National Plan on Climatic Changes, Skopje. Pg 45- 56 Inoue, M and Isozaki, H (2003), ‘People and forest in Southeast Asia, Fareast Russia, and Japan: forest policy and local reality’. Tokyo: Kluwer; Pg 231-47 Ismaili M, Durmishi, B. (2006) Society and Management of Environmental Protection, SEEU, Tetovo. Knapp M, Mc Daid D, Mossialos E, Thornicroft G, (2007) Mental Health Policy and Practice Across Europe, World Health Organisation. Mohora E, Grncarovska Obradovic, T, (2007). Landfill Methane Recovery Small Scale CDM, Projects in Macedonia - Guidelines for the Project Idea, Note Preparation, Skopje. Pg 305 Mulev M, (2007) Environmental Protection, Wordbook, Skopje. Sapuric Z, (2008) Government decentralisation in Macedonia, University American College, Skopje. Read More