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An environmental audit is a management tool that involves a systematic, documented and objective assessment of the organisation, management system and processes designed to protect the environment in order to facilitate, from a managerial perspective, the control of the organisation's behaviour for the purpose of environmental protection. The aim is to achieve a prosperous and sufficient level of environment for present and future generations. Also, its role is to evaluate the capability of the company's systems dealing with environmental probelmatics, to evaluate their compliance with the organization's environmental policy, short-term and long-term goals aimed at environmental protection. The audit must be carried out by competent personnel with the necessary training and funding. It must be carried out according to a specific procedure taking into account the results of previous audits of the organisation. Environmental auditing began to be used by businesses and subsequently implemented in corporate strategy in the second half of the 20th century in the USA, Canada and the UK, when issues relating to pollution, the onslaught of environmental damage and the prevention of unwanted environmental impacts began to be addressed globally. As part of the implementation of environmental auditing into the corporate strategy, the audit must include interviews with personnel, ascertain the condition of work equipment, review of documents, directives, instructions and other documents.
An '''[[environmental]] [[audit]]''' is a comprehensive [[evaluation]] of an [[organization]]'s adherence to environmental regulations, as well as its impact on the [[environment]]. It is used to assess the current state of an organization's environmental performance and is used to inform the organization of areas where improvements can be made. An environmental audit consists of four main components:
Environmental management
* '''Evaluating the organization's compliance with environmental regulations''': This includes reviewing the organization's current [[policies and procedures]] to ensure they are compliant with existing environmental regulations.
Environmental management seeks to develop and implement the necessary measures, effective tools to minimize the harmful impact of activities on nature, ecology and the environment. An important part of this is spreading awareness about the efficient use of natural resources, energy management and health care. Providing information stimulating to the activity that creates a network of collaborators, ensuring the creation of materials and the structure of facilities for environmental education.  
* '''Measuring the organization's environmental performance''': This includes assessing the organization's current operations and activities to identify areas where improvements can be made to reduce their environmental impact.
The importance of environmental audit
* '''Identifying potential environmental risks and liabilities''': This includes assessing the organization's current operations and activities to identify potential environmental risks and liabilities that may arise in the future.
The importance of environmental auditing has been confirmed by a number of organisations which have clearly agreed that environmental auditing is an essential part of corporate strategy. They have issued guidelines and directives that discuss the standards and forms of auditing that audits should meet. The most important thing is to define and define the objectives of the audit once it has been initiated. The audit should be conducted by an external firm to be objective. The next step is to identify the person responsible for the audit who will inform the company's management about the conditions and the audit process. The areas of the company to be audited are identified. These areas shall be determined by a thorough analysis of the internal and external factors of the enterprise and a consideration of which factors cause the most environmental pollution. Those factors which pollute the environment the most will be subject to the most thorough environmental audit. The person responsible for the audit must analyse the previous documentation from the past on the audit. The audit manager has the opportunity to assemble an audit team that will help him or her conduct the audit more thoroughly. This team can consist of both external and internal persons.
* '''Developing recommendations for improvement''': This includes developing a set of recommendations to help the organization improve its environmental performance and reduce its environmental impact.
Objectives of the environmental audit
 
A properly conducted environmental audit, in which all necessary regulations have been complied with, can improve the performance of a company, reducing the costs of the production process. Reducing the cost of the production process also eliminates wasted materials and items in the inputs, resulting in air pollution and ozone depletion. Also, reducing the cost of the production process reduces the consumption of water, which is now considered one of the most precious natural resources. The optimal use of resources is another objective of environmental auditing. Top-level managers of a company should try to promote the use of renewable resources as much as possible in the company. These are those resources that are naturally renewed in the course of their use. At the same time, these resources are often criticized for their unreliability, but through auditing and available documentation, managers should evaluate whether this is the right choice. We can include here the biological waste generated as a secondary product of production. Proper maintenance of equipment emitting pollutants into the air. It is one of the biggest environmental risks that adversely affect health. Investing in the improvement of more modern technologies that treat waste. This investment is initially more costly, but it is certainly worthwhile. Also investment in staff training, raising their awareness of the issues and regular training. Last but not least, the aim of an environmental audit is to check whether occupational health and safety is being observed in the company. It determines whether work procedures related to environmental issues are being followed, whether communication is maintained between employees who work with waste or other factors that have a direct impact on the environment. Noise abatement is also included. Assessing compliance with environmental policy. Simplifying the management of certain activities that could have an adverse impact on the environment.
In summary, an environmental audit is a comprehensive evaluation of an organization's adherence to environmental regulations and its impact on the environment. It is used to assess the current state of an organization's environmental performance and to identify areas for improvement.
 
==Example of Environmental audit==
A typical environmental audit consists of an assessment of the current state of an organization's operations and activities in order to identify areas where improvements can be made to reduce their environmental impact. This assessment includes a review of the organization's current policies and procedures to ensure they are compliant with existing environmental regulations, as well as measuring the organization's environmental performance. Additionally, the audit may identify potential environmental risks and liabilities that may arise in the future and develop recommendations for improvement.  
 
==When to use Environmental audit==
Environmental audits can be used at any time to assess the organization's current environmental performance, identify potential areas of improvement, and develop a [[plan]] for achieving those improvements. They are especially useful when an organization is looking to make changes to its operations or is looking to implement new environmental initiatives.
 
==Types of Environmental audit==
Environmental audits are typically divided into two main categories:
* '''Compliance audits''': These audits assess an organization's compliance with environmental regulations. They are used to identify any areas where the organization may be in violation of environmental regulations.
* '''Performance audits''': These audits assess an organization's environmental performance. They are used to identify areas where the organization can improve its environmental performance and reduce its environmental impact.
 
==Steps of Environmental audit==
Environmental auditing consists of five steps:
* '''[[Planning]]''': This includes developing a plan for the audit that outlines the goals, objectives, and scope of the audit.
* '''Data Collection''': This includes collecting data from interviews, observations, and records review.
* '''Analysis''': This includes analyzing the data collected to identify areas of non-compliance and potential environmental risks and liabilities.
* '''Reporting''': This includes preparing a report that outlines the findings of the audit and provides recommendations for improvement.
* '''Follow-up''': This includes monitoring the implementation of the recommendations and assessing the effectiveness of the measures taken to ensure compliance and reduce environmental impact.
 
==Advantages of Environmental audit==
The primary advantage of an environmental audit is that it provides an organization with an objective evaluation of its current environmental performance. This can help organizations identify areas for improvement and can also provide insights into how their operations and activities may be impacting the environment. Additionally, an environmental audit can provide an organization with insights into potential environmental risks and liabilities, helping them to take appropriate steps to reduce these risks. Finally, an environmental audit can help organizations develop a plan for improvement and provide them with the [[information]] they [[need]] to make informed decisions about their environmental practices.
 
==Limitations of Environmental audit==
Environmental audits have a number of limitations that must be taken into consideration when evaluating their effectiveness. These include:
* '''Limited scope''': Environmental audits are typically limited in scope and are not always comprehensive. They may only examine a specific aspect of an organization's environmental performance, rather than examining the full range of environmental issues.  
* '''Time-consuming''': Environmental audits can be time-consuming and costly to conduct, which can limit their effectiveness.
* '''Subjective''': Environmental audits are typically conducted by external auditors and are subject to their own biases and interpretations. This can lead to inaccurate results or incorrect conclusions.  
 
==Other approaches related to Environmental audit==
In addition to environmental audits, there are other approaches that can be used to evaluate an organization's environmental performance. These include environmental [[management]] systems, environmental impact assessments, life cycle assessments, and environmental footprinting.
* '''Environmental management systems''': Environmental management systems are used to assess the organization's environmental performance and identify areas for improvement. They involve the implementation of policies, procedures, and systems to ensure the organization is meeting its environmental obligations.
* '''Environmental impact assessments''': Environmental impact assessments are used to assess the potential environmental impacts of a [[project]] or activity. They involve assessing the environmental, social, and economic impacts of a project or activity before decisions are made about its implementation.
* '''Life cycle assessments''': Life cycle assessments are used to evaluate the environmental impacts of a [[product]] or [[service]] throughout its life cycle. This includes assessing the energy and [[resource]] inputs and waste outputs of the product or service during its [[production]], use, and disposal.
* '''Environmental footprinting''': Environmental footprinting is used to assess the environmental impacts of a product or service from cradle to grave. This includes assessing the energy and resource inputs and waste outputs of the product or service during its production, use, and disposal.
 
In summary, there are a number of approaches that can be used to evaluate an organization's environmental performance, including environmental management systems, environmental impact assessments, life cycle assessments, and environmental footprinting. Each approach provides unique insights into an organization's environmental performance and can help inform decisions about how to reduce its environmental impact.
 
{{infobox5|list1={{i5link|a=[[Social audit]]}} — {{i5link|a=[[Operational audit]]}} — {{i5link|a=[[General audit]]}} — {{i5link|a=[[Project evaluation]]}} — {{i5link|a=[[Needs assessment]]}} — {{i5link|a=[[Accounting and auditing]]}} — {{i5link|a=[[Utilization management]]}} — {{i5link|a=[[Management system]]}} — {{i5link|a=[[Project business case]]}} }}
 
==References==
* Moudon, A. V., & Lee, C. (2003). ''[https://activelivingresearch.org/sites/activelivingresearch.org/files/AJHP_6_Moudon_0.pdf Walking and bicycling: an evaluation of environmental audit instruments]''. American journal of health promotion, 18(1), 21-37.
[[Category:Quality management]]

Latest revision as of 21:54, 17 November 2023

An environmental audit is a comprehensive evaluation of an organization's adherence to environmental regulations, as well as its impact on the environment. It is used to assess the current state of an organization's environmental performance and is used to inform the organization of areas where improvements can be made. An environmental audit consists of four main components:

  • Evaluating the organization's compliance with environmental regulations: This includes reviewing the organization's current policies and procedures to ensure they are compliant with existing environmental regulations.
  • Measuring the organization's environmental performance: This includes assessing the organization's current operations and activities to identify areas where improvements can be made to reduce their environmental impact.
  • Identifying potential environmental risks and liabilities: This includes assessing the organization's current operations and activities to identify potential environmental risks and liabilities that may arise in the future.
  • Developing recommendations for improvement: This includes developing a set of recommendations to help the organization improve its environmental performance and reduce its environmental impact.

In summary, an environmental audit is a comprehensive evaluation of an organization's adherence to environmental regulations and its impact on the environment. It is used to assess the current state of an organization's environmental performance and to identify areas for improvement.

Example of Environmental audit

A typical environmental audit consists of an assessment of the current state of an organization's operations and activities in order to identify areas where improvements can be made to reduce their environmental impact. This assessment includes a review of the organization's current policies and procedures to ensure they are compliant with existing environmental regulations, as well as measuring the organization's environmental performance. Additionally, the audit may identify potential environmental risks and liabilities that may arise in the future and develop recommendations for improvement.

When to use Environmental audit

Environmental audits can be used at any time to assess the organization's current environmental performance, identify potential areas of improvement, and develop a plan for achieving those improvements. They are especially useful when an organization is looking to make changes to its operations or is looking to implement new environmental initiatives.

Types of Environmental audit

Environmental audits are typically divided into two main categories:

  • Compliance audits: These audits assess an organization's compliance with environmental regulations. They are used to identify any areas where the organization may be in violation of environmental regulations.
  • Performance audits: These audits assess an organization's environmental performance. They are used to identify areas where the organization can improve its environmental performance and reduce its environmental impact.

Steps of Environmental audit

Environmental auditing consists of five steps:

  • Planning: This includes developing a plan for the audit that outlines the goals, objectives, and scope of the audit.
  • Data Collection: This includes collecting data from interviews, observations, and records review.
  • Analysis: This includes analyzing the data collected to identify areas of non-compliance and potential environmental risks and liabilities.
  • Reporting: This includes preparing a report that outlines the findings of the audit and provides recommendations for improvement.
  • Follow-up: This includes monitoring the implementation of the recommendations and assessing the effectiveness of the measures taken to ensure compliance and reduce environmental impact.

Advantages of Environmental audit

The primary advantage of an environmental audit is that it provides an organization with an objective evaluation of its current environmental performance. This can help organizations identify areas for improvement and can also provide insights into how their operations and activities may be impacting the environment. Additionally, an environmental audit can provide an organization with insights into potential environmental risks and liabilities, helping them to take appropriate steps to reduce these risks. Finally, an environmental audit can help organizations develop a plan for improvement and provide them with the information they need to make informed decisions about their environmental practices.

Limitations of Environmental audit

Environmental audits have a number of limitations that must be taken into consideration when evaluating their effectiveness. These include:

  • Limited scope: Environmental audits are typically limited in scope and are not always comprehensive. They may only examine a specific aspect of an organization's environmental performance, rather than examining the full range of environmental issues.
  • Time-consuming: Environmental audits can be time-consuming and costly to conduct, which can limit their effectiveness.
  • Subjective: Environmental audits are typically conducted by external auditors and are subject to their own biases and interpretations. This can lead to inaccurate results or incorrect conclusions.

Other approaches related to Environmental audit

In addition to environmental audits, there are other approaches that can be used to evaluate an organization's environmental performance. These include environmental management systems, environmental impact assessments, life cycle assessments, and environmental footprinting.

  • Environmental management systems: Environmental management systems are used to assess the organization's environmental performance and identify areas for improvement. They involve the implementation of policies, procedures, and systems to ensure the organization is meeting its environmental obligations.
  • Environmental impact assessments: Environmental impact assessments are used to assess the potential environmental impacts of a project or activity. They involve assessing the environmental, social, and economic impacts of a project or activity before decisions are made about its implementation.
  • Life cycle assessments: Life cycle assessments are used to evaluate the environmental impacts of a product or service throughout its life cycle. This includes assessing the energy and resource inputs and waste outputs of the product or service during its production, use, and disposal.
  • Environmental footprinting: Environmental footprinting is used to assess the environmental impacts of a product or service from cradle to grave. This includes assessing the energy and resource inputs and waste outputs of the product or service during its production, use, and disposal.

In summary, there are a number of approaches that can be used to evaluate an organization's environmental performance, including environmental management systems, environmental impact assessments, life cycle assessments, and environmental footprinting. Each approach provides unique insights into an organization's environmental performance and can help inform decisions about how to reduce its environmental impact.


Environmental audit — recommended articles
Social audit — Operational audit — General audit — Project evaluation — Needs assessment — Accounting and auditing — Utilization management — Management system — Project business case

References

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