Environmental Impact of Balfour Beatty Company - Term Paper Example

 Environmental Impact Report Negative environmental can be described as the interference with the normal ecosystem by both biological and physical aspects. These may result to ecological imbalance. Some negative impacts include human displacement, destruction of natural habitat and pollution.Environmental degradation has mainly increased due to the industrial revolution which part of manmade activities such asindustrial and machinery use. These environmental degradation processes has got many effects to the living things including human beings themselves. Taking a closer look at the negative environmental impacts caused by Balfour Beatty Company; a London based multinational company with branches in 80 other countries. Considering the nature of activities carried out by this company such as infrastructure development and investment, and construction services, it contributes a lot towards environmental destruction.The three main negative environmental impacts contributed by this company include pollution, human and animal population displacement and destruction of natural habitat (COUNCIL OF EUROPE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY 2002). Pollution is the release of harmful substances to the environment which may be in different forms such as air, water, radioactive materials, soil, heat and light. Emission of gaseous waste to the atmosphere has been caused by this company as a result of the fleet of cars owned by this company which emits carbon waste and sulfur compounds to the environment. These are as a result of the various new cars which are constantly on the roads to the construction sites. It is an estimated fact that most air pollution is caused by car emissions. Another way of increased carbon into the atmosphere by the company are the many construction plans which are distributed in the 80 countries, these industries release their waste to the atmosphere, increasing the amount of carbon dioxide. The lethal effects of carbon dioxide include formation of smog which blocks sunlight from reaching the earth’s surface. This prevents the process of photosynthesis from taking place in plants, resulting to wilting. The destruction of natural forest is a great worldwide concern as its effects leads to dire consequences(COUNCIL OF EUROPE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY 2002). Such emissions have contributed to global warming and formation of acid rain due to increased carbon levels in the atmosphere. Since the company is involved in road construction which involves use of substances such as tar, these chemicals have components like carbon which in a direct or indirect way contributes to the dangerous levels of carbon dioxide. It is a general idea that construction works involves thermal heating of substances, since the company is involved in large scale construction, the amount of effluent they release to the atmosphere is very significant.The clearance of natural trees to construct roads, dams and other infrastructure by this company also destroys the natural carbon and nitrogen cycle since the trees which should utilize the excess carbon are destroyed(BOOTH, 2012). The office of National Statisticslisted air pollution as one on the top most causes of death. This was after a research was carried out on death causes and the findings showed that the top four diseases in men were caused breathing related problems which directly links air pollution to it, while the top five causes of death in women were also linked to air pollution. The research further showed that surface air pollution had the greatest negative impact and most of this is from industries and motor vehicle emissions(COUNCIL OF EUROPE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY 2002). Some of the spills from the heavy machinery used by the company have also been part of the soil pollution. During road construction, the oil and tar used leak into the soil and affect the fertility rate, this will eventually lead to wilting of crops and can also lead to soil leaching. As the heavy machines compress the soil, they interfere with soil structure and arrangement patterns; making it uncomfortable for plan roots to penetrate and gaseous circulation to be impaired(BOOTH, 2012). In the year 2008, Balfour Beatty was sued in court for causing one of the greatest water pollution. This was during the construction of the new A3 tunnel at Hindhead which resulted to silt pollution to the nearest MillhangerLake and Hammer pond in Goldming. These water bodies were polluted with the lethal substance which turned the water color. Even though it seemed to have been and accidental pollution, the effects were devastating to both aquatic life and human population who depended on the lake and pond. It was reported by local news on October 31st, 2008 that the company admitted to the environmental impacts and accepted to take responsibility in court by paying huge fines for the damages caused(COUNCIL OF EUROPE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY 2002). Noise pollution is another major environmental impacts caused by this company especially during construction of roads, railway lines and dams. This mainly affects the people who reside near the construction sites as the heavy machinery used during excavating process are bound to produce noise. During land excavation activities, there is also a significant amount of dust produced which does not only affect the human health of both workers and surrounding residents, but also the plan health. Accumulation of dust on leaves blocks the air holes in leaves, preventing gaseous exchange, leading to death of plants. The company plants which also produce raw materials such as stone grading also emit a lot of dust which goes to the atmosphere and may lead to production of acid rainfall and dirty water which clog plant breathing system(BOOTH, 2012). The second negative environmental impact caused by Balfour Beatty Company is the destruction of natural resources. The company is involved in rail construction which is mainly done over long distance coverage, this results to clearance of trees and excavating through hills. This effect covers a wider field including the animals in the habitat. The dam construction projects by the company have lead to destruction of many natural forests and trees. The wider area of land covered by the dams and the excavated soil prevent the natural environment from fair coexistence. During the construction of Ilisu dam project in Turkey, which begun in 2006, there are worries of possible over flooding of homes as a result of the dam and the fears of the dam draining water from river Tigris. The dam covered a very large area of land and the occupants had to be resettled to other places.The natural resources are also destroyed in other indirect activities of the company such as the pollutant emissions discussed above. The large and magnificent roads constructed by this company have greatly contributed to destruction of natural resources which in essence include land excavations. These result to mineral salts imbalance in the soil and leaching of the exposed minerals. It is also a clear fact that during the construction of such huge and wide infrastructure, the natural environment is exposed to possible mud slides and earth quakes(BOOTH, 2012). The third negative environmental effect caused by Balfour Beatty Company is the environmental population displacement. This has affected animals as much as it does to human population. Theabove discussed causes of environmental pollution have directly or indirectly caused animal immigration in search of better natural habitat. The destruction of forests and melting of ice caps caused by global warming has a great effect to this. The company’s activities such as dam construction have lead to impaired movement of fish and other aquatic life. The imbalance in water table caused by such constructions also restricts the direction of movement of aquatic life in their natural habitat. Wild animals have been displaced from forests where dams, roads and buildings have been constructed. The noise associated with the construction process has also lead to such displacements. In most cases, where the company moves their heavy machines during construction processes have resulted to permanent displacement of the natural habitat(WINCH, 2010). The most affected have also been the communities which dwell in the areas where construction activities take place. When the company was expanding to set up a nuclear plant, the community around had to be resettled and the waste from the plant which are radioactive posed potential threat to the environment since they are cancerous and with the heavy metals associated, massive pollution is seen as an inevitable threat. The construction of Ilisu dam was one of the historical events which were seen as a way of politically displacing the inhabitants. The dam project had to be halted to sort out issues which arose from the negative impacts. The dam project covered very large piece of land which was ideally for residential purposes.The construction impacts which affect the environment do not only show humanitarian effects but also economical impacts in other sectors such as tourism industries.After considering these negative impacts by the company, there is a level of action being taken currently by the company in order to minimize such negative impacts(WINCH, 2010). Some of the measures put in place are carrying out proper environmental assessment before taking up a construction project. This include looking at how the construction will affect the health and lifestyle of those who stay in the construction area, involving the community in making some decisions which involve them such as the relocation process and informing them on the measures to ensure that they are not affected by pollutants such as dust and noise. The company has decided to partner with some organizations in finding remedies to the problems and bringing a solution to cases of death in their construction sector. These involve proper training to their workers and opening of environmental emergency measures care unit.A report from the company shows that they are determined and focused to become one of the world’s eco friendly industries. This has been shown by their participating in signing of compliance agreements to prevent environmental pollution (WINCH, 2010). The company is looking into ways of using satellite surveillance in monitoring their construction sites as opposed to moving all the way to the sites with cars which increases the amount of carbon dioxide emitted in the environment.They have also begun a plan of using cars and heavy vehicles which do not emit harmful gases to the atmosphere. The machines usage powered by electricity is an attest to this fact of commitment to enhancing safety. Other recommendations put in place by the company include prevention of spillage which may cause soil and water pollution. This was also seen during the construction of the A3 tunnel when there was reported siltation; the company had constructed a pond like structure to prevent such pollution but it did not work as they expected due to the heavy rainfall. As a way of looking into the environmental impacts, the company is bound to comply with the National environmental protection acts. During the planned construction of the bio energy power plant, the company signed the document of fulfillment of environmental protection act on pollution and other related issues such as health and possible solutions in case of negative environmental problems.The company also came up with the Subcontractors Health, Safety, Environmental, Quality and Sustainability Conditions document. This outlined their aim of having zero harm to safety and healthy environment (MORGAN, 2001). In efforts to eliminate most of the negative impacts, the company should ensure they adopt the policy of biodegradable energy sources which do not lead to pollution. These would help to save a wide range of living organisms from the changing climatic conditions.Environmental policies such as tree planting should also form part of the company’s mission as a way of trying to restore and balance the ecosystem since some of their activities which lead to environmental degradation are inevitable like construction of infrastructure. The company should avoid use of machines which emit gaseous waste directly to the atmosphere but rather pass the waste through absorbing chimney lined with materials which can absorb them. In such a way, the air pollution rate will be greatly reduced.The company should try to comply with the European Union Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control policy of 1996. In this way, it would be their fundamental activity to enhance an industrial environment friendly activity which would sustain life. Such outlined directions would also health to reduce the threatening pollution which is on the rise due to poor industrial activities (WINCH, 2010). In the year 2003, the company was involved in a massive recycling venture in which they recycled a mass of close to one million tons of concrete. This was an integrated project in ensuring environmental safety.The Balfour Beatty Company also signed the Clean Air Chatter in Hong Kong as a way of showing their interest in ensuring clean air free from pollution. These are some practices which have demonstrated the company’s position in helping to save the environment.The integrated corporate report also shows the general commitment towards zero tolerance to pollution and harm caused by the company/s activities. With strict adherence to these reports, the company is at a greater level in improving the environment and helping to solve the daring industrial problems(MORGAN, 2001). Recommendations The company should have strict and well supervised mechanism to ensure that the signed agreements on environmental conservation are followed in all their operating countries. This should be confirmed by analysis of reports from independent environmental agencies such as UNEP. The internal set standards and company’s set code of conduct should ensure that every employee is well trained and informed about the environmental rehabilitation measures in place. They should also continue to do more independent research to identify some of the ways in which their industrial activities cause direct or indirect pollution. Another factor which the company should have in place is to focus on infrastructure development strategies which do not cause ill health or environmental degradation such as using electric machines and finding ways to reduce noise pollution during their construction. A way of preventing dust pollution to the air is by using water to reduce the amount of dust produced; this could directly reduce the death rate caused by lung diseases to both their workers and the communities around their construction plants. Just as it is already part of the company’s policy to recycle used and waste materials, they should also focus on using recyclable materials to avoid waste and environmental depletion. For instance they may opt to recycle the water they use in their firms rather than spill it as waste which will have environmental negative impacts.The raw materials used for construction can also be from a credible source where there are no environmental problems such as deforestation to get trees. They could opt to use metallic poles for construction purposes as opposed to using forest trees(BOOTH, 2012). As a way of making huge constructions such as for dams safer, the company should thoroughly conduct a feasibility study to make sure that the ground is stable enough and cannot lead to spillage or landslides. In such a way, they would help to resolve issues of displacements from natural habitats.To prevent destruction of natural habitat, the company should only take contracts which do not involve massive destruction of forests. If a project has to be constructed in such a way that it has to interfere with the natural habitat, then there should be laid down procedures on how to relocate the possible inhabitants such as wild animals. To compensate for the destroyed plants, the company can make arrangements with environmental programs to ensure that more trees are planted at their cost (MORGAN, 2001). To reduce spread of industrial pollutants, the company should also look at ways of centralizing their plants so that the effluent does not spread all over the different countries they are located in. since carbon levels is the main measure of air pollution which also results to other modes of pollution like soil and water; it should be dealt with a lot of priority and as such a greater percentage of world carbon level will reduce. Being a multinational company, it would be an effective measure to incorporate the different environmental laws and regulations set up in the particular countries to their environmental strategic plan. Such a move will help the local employees to voluntarily participate in the eco- friendly industrial systems.Balfour Beatty company can make it their own initiative in reducing environmental degradation by keeping the standards and operating by their set environmental protocols, as such, they will not only save economically by avoiding cases of paying huge fines, but also help to sustain the world economy by great deal since any threat to the environment is a threat to life (BOOTH, 2012). Balfour Beatty Companyhas shown the good will towards sustainable environmental conditions. This still leaves it with more to be done regarding the measures they have taken. A general recommendation would be for all companies which in a direct or indirect way pollutes the environment, should take quick measures to put an end to this in helping Balfour Beatty to achieve their environmental dream as they expand the scope of their activities. Bibliography BOOTH, C. (2012). Solutions to climate change challenges in the built environment. Chichester, West Sussex, Wiley-Blackwell. Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Summary Report 2008- Balfour Beatty COUNCIL OF EUROPE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY. (2002). Documents Documents 9190, 9195 and 9242-9304 Documents 9190, 9195 and 9242-9304 Working Papers - 2002 Ordinary Session. Gardners Books MORGAN, R. K. (2001). Environmental impact assessment: a methodological perspective. Dordrecht [u.a.], Kluwer Acad. Publ. WINCH, G. (2010).Managing construction projects an information processing approach. Chichester, Blackwell Pub Read More