Policies/Directives/Standards/Legislation

Question 1

Water Framework Directive? (2010)

Answer 1

• Requires member countries to plan & deliver a better water environment, focusing on ecology
• Builds on directives surrounding bioaccumulation
• To progressively protect and enhance quality of surface water, ground water, estuaries, sustainable use of water

Question 2

Agenda 21?

Answer 2

• Rio Declaration on Environment & Development
• Comprehensive plan to combat ways in which humans impact on the environment
• Identifies role of ‘think global but act local’ as well as social inclusion and personal responsibility for environment
• Commitment to sustainable development

Question 3

Environmental Information Regulation (EIR)?

Answer 3

Gives the public access rights to environmental information held by a public authority in response to requests

Question 4

United Declaration on Rights of the Indigenous people(2007)?

Answer 4

• Standard for treatment of indigenous people that will undoubtedly be insignificant tool towards eliminating human right violations, discrimination and marginalisation
• Important for culture to continue and uniqueness

Question 5

Principle 21; ‘Good Neighbours’ Stockholm Declaration

Answer 5

Have sovereign right to exploit own resource pursuant to their own environment policies and responsibilities to ensure activities or control don’t damage environment of other states beyond limit of national jurisdiction

Question 6

Kyoto Protocol

Answer 6

International treaty extending from UN Framework Convention on Climate Change that commits member countries to reduce GHGs

Question 7

UN Environment Programme (UNEP)

Answer 7

International approach to environmental management through providing leadership and partnership in caring for environment via inspiring/informing etc.

Question 8

Paris Convention

Answer 8

• Embrace holistic responsibility for environmental protection
• Aim to prevent and eliminate pollution by looking at dumping of wastes e.g.
• Oslo and Paris agreements= OSPAR

Question 9

Montreal Convention

Answer 9

• Vienna Convention for Ozone layer protection + Montreal protocol on substances that deplete ozone layer
• Includes adjustment provision enabling parties to respond quick to new scientific information and agree to accelerate reduce impacts

Question 10

Basel Convention; Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal

Answer 10

• Objective: protect human health and environment against adverse effects of hazardous waste
• Aims:
  1) Reduce hazardous waste generation and promote environmentally sound management and disposal
  2) Restrict transboundary movements of hazardous waste except where perceived to be in accordance with principles of environmentally sound management
  3) Regulatory system applying to cases where transboundary movements are given permission

Question 11

Rasmar Convention

Answer 11

Conserve and wise use of all wetlands through local and national actions & cooperation
Only global treaty dealing with particular ecosystem

Question 12

Environmental Protection Act (1990)

Answer 12

• Improve control of pollution arising from industrial processes
• Integration of Integrated Pollution Control
• Provision to make regulations defining prescribed substances

Question 13

Pollution Prevention and Control Act (1999)

Answer 13

• Enable provision to be made concerning integrated pollution prevention and control in the UK
• Regulate activities capable of causing environment pollution and preventing controlling of emissions

Question 14

Water Resource Act (1991)

Answer 14

Protection of water against pollution and other water resource management

Question 15

Control of Major Accident Hazard Regulations (COMAH)

Answer 15

• Places duty on competent authority to inspect activities subject to regulation and prohibit operation of an establishment if evidence that measures taken to prevent or mitigate major accidents are deficient
• Examine safety reports and inform operators on conclusions of these

Question 16

Environment Agency

Answer 16

• To discharge functions to protect and enhance the environment and contribute to achieving sustainable development
• Adopt clear procedures, activities and relationships with all stakeholders

Question 17

BS ISO14001 (2004)

Answer 17

• International standard for EMS
• Implement/maintain/improve environmental performance and ensure compliance with environment policy.
• Doesn’t require public reporting
• Demonstrates business commitment

Question 18

BS 8555 (2003)

Answer 18

• Provide guidance to organisations on environmental performance, satisfy environmental criteria and use of performance indicators
• 6 stage to implementation which states what is needed to introduce an EMS

Question 19

EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS)

Answer 19

• Management tool/voluntary instrument to evaluate reports and environmental performance of an organisation
• Requirements need to be met (env. policy, review, programme, statement etc.) and public reporting must be included

Question 20

Environmental Impact Assessment

Answer 20

Identifies environmental, social and economic impacts prior to decision making so that the design process can be most environmentally friendly.

Question 21

Pollution Prevention Guidelines (PPGs)

Answer 21

Number of PPGs produced by EA to target particular industrial sector or activity and provide advice on legal responsibilities and good environmental practice