Do you ask what is an environmental aspect? It is an element that interacts with the environment and this interaction can occur in different ways. In addition, there are those that are of significant type and there are indirects.
Do you want to know more? Then he continues to read because in Ecology Verde we have a clear vocation for the conservation of the environment and, therefore, we invite you to understand some basic concepts about the environmental sciences, through our articles and, this time, we explain to you What is an environmental aspect and some examples Clear, as well as what are ISO 14000 standards.
What is an environmental aspect
According to the ISO organization (International Stardard Organizationor International Standardization Organization) Define environmental aspect as:
“Element of the activities, products or services of an organization that interacts or can interact with the environment.”
In simple words, an environmental aspect is any facet of a company, NGOs, association, public entity, etc., which is related to the environment.
Environmental aspects can cause one or more environmental impactsor environmental modifications. In addition, they are classified as significant or non -significant. That it is significant implies that the modification is noticeable enough to generate an important change in the environment.
Another classification of environmental aspects is whether they are direct or indirect. In direct environmental aspects, the organization exercises direct control of its management, while indirect environmental aspects “influences a reasonable degree,” probably through third parties on which it holds some kind of authority.
Environmental impacts, a priori, can be both beneficial and harmful to the environment. However, according to the prevailing social and economic dynamics, the outcome is usually harmful. Here you can learn more about what is a negative and positive environmental impact with examples.
These are the Environmental aspects in which an organization has to emphasize, determining whether they are significant, direct, etc:
- Atmosphere: Atmospheric pollution, energy and fuel consumption.
- Noise pollution.
- Light pollution.
- Waste management.
- Waters: consumption and discharges. For example, here you can learn more about what industrial discharges are in the water and their treatment.
- Soils: pollutant agents and land resources consumption. In this other article we specify what are the contaminating agents of the soil.
- Living beings: consumption of living natural resources.
Environmental aspect: examples
Next, we will see some Environmental aspect examplesof different types and for different types of companies or industries:
Significant environmental aspects: examples
That an environmental aspect is significant or does not depend largely on the activity of the organization and where it is located. In short, each company must carry out a thorough evaluation of environmental aspects. In this section we will see some examples of common environmental aspects:
- Energy consumption for the entire industry.
- Uses and soil pollution for agriculture.
- CO2 emissions for a logistics company.
- Water pollution in the livestock industry.
- Sound pollution in a factory near a natural park.
Indirect environmental aspects: examples
Likewise, an environmental aspect is direct or indirect depends largely on the activity of the organization.
- Examples in an administration: An administrative entity, in principle, does not make direct emissions of CO2 to the atmosphere. However, it will consume electrical energy, which may have been produced by renewable energies or in a thermal power plant. Likewise, it does not perform direct spills to the waters, but will consume a huge amount of paper, being the paper industry one of the most polluting.
- Examples in food industry: The food industry has a direct influence on water, energy and living beings consumption. But it can also affect indirect environmental aspects such as land degradation, if their products come from extensive and monoculture not respectful of the environment. Likewise, it can generate contamination of the waters if the packaging of its products is not managed correctly.
What are ISO 14000 standards
The ISO 14000 standards They are a set of Environmental -related regulations which are used for organizations to implement management systems that allow them reduce your environmental impactspresent or potential.
The best known of this set is the ISO 14001 “Environmental management systems. Orientation requirements for use”, which defines the minimum criteria to have a Environmental Management System competent. Among the principles that govern these regulations are:
- The “continuous improvement” (that is, the system cannot be implemented and forgotten, but must be constantly searching for new opportunities for improvement, and fulfilling them).
- An action plan in four steps: Plan, Do, Check, Actor plan, do, evaluate and act. It means that new actions must be planned, carrying them out, evaluating their impact and, depending on the result, making new action decisions.
- Indicators and goals: The organization must raise annual objectives, which must be realizable, have a defined period of time for their achievement, and be measurable. An example of a well raised objective can be “to reduce by 5% the consumption of electricity within 6 months.”
Other regulations within the call ISO 14000 group are:
- ISO 14006 “Environmental Management Systems. Guidelines for the incorporation of the Ecodesign”.
- ISO 14020 “Ecological labels and environmental statements. General principles”.
- ISO 14046 “Environmental management. Water footprint. Principles, requirements and guidelines”.
These regulations are updated periodically every 5 years (usually). Search if a company meets any of these regulations should help us evaluate its degree of commitment to the environment.
If you want to read more articles similar to What is an environmental aspect and exampleswe recommend that you enter our category of other environment.
