170 likes | 317 Views
Promoting Environmental Management Standards :. Collaboration of Educational E stablishments, Academy of Sciences and NGOs. Michael Begak , Saint-Petersburg Research Centre for Environmental Safety, Russian Academy of Sciences . Environmental management.
E N D
Promoting Environmental Management Standards: Collaboration of Educational Establishments, Academy of Sciences and NGOs Michael Begak, Saint-Petersburg Research Centre for Environmental Safety, Russian Academy of Sciences
Environmental management • Environmental Management System is a set of processes and practices that enable an organization to reduce its environmental impacts and increase its operating efficiency. • The ISO 14000 family addresses various aspects of environmental management. • It provides practical tools for companies and organizations looking to identify and control their environmental impacts and constantly improve their environmental performance. • ISO 14001:2004 and ISO 14004:2004 focus on Environmental Management Systems. • The other standards in the family focus on specific environmental aspects such as life cycle analysis, communication and auditing.
ISO 14001:2004 • ISO 14001:2004 the world’s most popular standard sets out the criteria for an environmental management system and gives a transparent procedure for certification. • Using ISO 14001:2004 can provide assurance to company management and employees as well as external stakeholders that environmental impact is being measured and improved. • The benefits of using ISO 14001:2004 can include: • Reduced cost of waste management • Savings in consumption of energy and materials • Lower distribution costs • Improved corporate image among regulators, customers and the public
ISO 14000: first steps in Russia • Educational establishments, academic institutions and environmental NGOs have been promoting ISO 14000 family since the 90s. • First awareness raising and training projects were implemented in 1996-1999 with the support of national and international programmes and funds such as Russian Environmental Fund, ‘Seeds for Democracy’ (USAID), Matra, Tempus, SEPS, etc. • By 2000-2004 text books, practical training materials and glossaries had been prepared and published by leading Russian universities. • In 1998 NGOs started registering Russian companies implementing EMSs.
Standards attracting attention of Russian researchers in XXI: • the ISO 14020 series addressing a range of different approaches to environmental labels and declarations • the ISO 14040 standards giving guidelines on the principles and conduct of Life Cycle Analysis studies • ISO 14031 providing guidance on environmental performance evaluation • ISO 14064 (parts 1, 2 and 3) being greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting and verification standards • ISO 14063 setting environmental communication guidelines and examples • ISO 19011:2011 Guidelines for auditing management systems
Examples of recent projects implemented by Universities and research Institutions • Development and implementation of Environmental Management training course for university students (TEMPUS Project) • By Saint Petersburg Research Centre for Environmental Safety and Saint-Petersburg State Universitytogether with: • NL: The Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM) at the VU University of Amsterdam • GR: Technological Educational Institute of Athens • IT: Geographical Information Systems International Group • HU: Central European University • AT: University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences • RU: Scientific Research Center for Ecological Safety • UA: Kharkov Karazin National University • UA: Ukrainian Scientific and Research Institute of Ecological Problems • UA: "ETB-Technology Trade” Ltd. • UA: Taurida National V. I. Vernadsky University • BY: Belarusian State University • MD: Moldova State University • IE: Coastal and Marine Resources Centre of University College Cork
Examples of recent projects implemented by Universities and research Institutions (TEMPUS Project) • The following results were achieved: • (a) creation of integrated system of single space for higher • education in the domain of environmental management and • environmentally-friendly nature management in Universities, members of the consortium, harmonized with the European requirements and recommendations; • (b) development and introduction of international interactive education system in the domain of environmental management • and environmentally-friendly nature management in Universities, members of the consortium.
Examples of recent projects implemented by Academia and NGOs Leaf of Life Eco-labeling System by Saint-Petersburg Ecological Union supported by Universities and research institutions A voluntary environmental performance certification and labelling, which proves environmental preference of a product or service within a specific product/service category • Carbon Footprint of Russian Wastewater Treatment Companies by Ecoline, Saint-Petersburg Research Centre for Environmental Safety and D. Mendeleyev University • Monitoring and evaluation of GHG emissions and development of guidelines for GHG reporting • . • The
Examples of recent projects implemented by Academia and NGOs Environmental performance and Energy Efficiency of Construction Materials Industryby the Academy for Standardisation, Metrology and Certification and Ecoline: • Life Cycle Assessment, development of practical recommendations and preparation of training materials for practitioners and students
Examples of recent projects implemented by Academia and NGOs St. Petersburg State University of Refrigeration and Food Engineering, Dr. Olga SergienkoPackaging polymer waste management on the base of Life Cycle Assessment: • ASTM D6868-03 – Standard Specification for biodegradable plastics used as coating on paper and other compostable substrates • CEN CR 13910:2010 – Packaging specific life cycle assessment guidance • Global Protocol on Packaging Sustainability 2.0,2011 • ISO 14021:1999 – Eco-labelling type II • ISO 14040, 14044 : 2006 – Life cycle assessment
Conclusions • Universities, research institutions and NGOs have been promoting ISO environmental management related standards since the 90s. • Academia turned from disseminating information on EMSs to training professionals for businesses and running practical projects on environmental performance evaluation and improvement. • Academia and NGOs traditionally experiment with emerging standards of the ISO 14000 family before official Russian versions are issued by Rosstandart. • Though international donors tend to minimize their support to environmental management and climate change related projects, Academia and NGOs continue implementing pilot projects demanded by the civil society.
Thank you! www. http://www.ecosafety-spb.ru/ mbegak@gmail.com