Governance for Environmental Sustainability - Term Paper Example

GOVERNANCE FOR ENVIRMENTAL SUSTAINABLILITY Name: Lecturer: Course: Date: Introduction As environmental challenges continue to unfold, it is vital that the existing problems are tackled, minimized and even eliminated. Environmental governance has therefore become increasingly significant. Analysts have disclosed that there is a strong causal relationship between better governance and better development of outcomes (Steiner, et al, 2003). This therefore implies that governance matters a lot. A significant approach of environmental governance is through the use of policy. Various environmental governance polices have been devised with the objective of dealing with the existing environmental challenges. This paper seeks analyze the NSW Energy from Waste Policy. Background of the Policy The Energy from Waste Policy was developed from an acknowledgment by the NSW wales government that thermal processing of waste can be a useful strategy of waste reduction. As a result, the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) developed the Energy from Waste Policy in 2013. The policy integrated the views of various stakeholders across the state. For instance; the EPA put into consideration feedback from industry and the community before coming up with the final policy statement (EPA, 2014). Additionally, the policy was also devised from two main policy objectives that are enshrined in state waste legislation. The first legislation is the Protection of the Environmental Operations Act 1997 and the Waste and Resource Recovery Act 2001. The scope of the policy covers thermal treatment of waste, whereby thermal treatment of waste is defined as the processing of waste through process such as thermal oxidation, combustion, plasma or thermal gasification, torrefaction and pyrolysis. Also, the policy offers a framework for separating waste according to the level of risks. Waste that originate from materials that cause slight harm to the environment and human health are categorized under eligible waste fuels and are listed in the policy statement(EPA, 2014). The Energy from Waste Policy was developed from the backdrop that the recovery of resources and energy from thermal processing of waste has various potential benefits. One of the core benefits is to raise investment in energy from residual waste that cannot be recycled and would alternatively be disposed to landfills. Another benefit of the policy is that it will assists in the utilization of wastes with low risks that can be used as fuels (EPA, 2014). Another potential benefit of the policy is to promote the recovery of the existing energy from waste while balancing the utilization of sources of energy that are non- renewable energy and preventing methane emissions that arise from landfill(EPA, 2014). The NSW Energy from Waste Policy Statement will encourage the recovery of the embodied energy from waste while offsetting the use of non-renewable energy sources and avoiding methane emissions from landfill. It will ensure that this energy recovery (EPA, 2014). Aims and objectives One of the objectives of the policy is to protect human health and the environment from harmful wastes The policy also aims at preventing the inappropriate use of waste and enhancing greater waste recovery in NSW. The policy also aims at supporting applications that involve energy to waste reduction in accordance to international best prices while at the same time offering environmental benefits such as lowering emissions from greenhouse gas and landfill (Crossie, 2014). The NSW energy from Waste policy seeks to ensure that a certain level of recycling is attained before residual waste is transferred to the energy recovery facility. This will ensure that recycling efforts are not undermined (National Waste Reporting, 2013), Implications beyond the policy area or the jurisdiction The energy from waste policy is bound to assist various stakeholders such as the community who will gain additional energy sources. Recovery facilities will gain additional projects while the EPA will attain its target of managing waste through reducing waste while at the same time producing energy. Nevertheless, despite the benefits accrued by these parties, there are industries that are bound to be affected negatively by the policy. Thomson (2013) discloses that the cement industry federation is quite skeptical about the energy from waste policy. The basic reason is that the cement industry is concerned that the methodology proposed may limit access to suitable alternative materials that can be used for energy reuse and recovery. By EPA giving a prescription of a specific waste collection system and facilities based on the resource standards, industries such as the cement industry are more likely constrained to sourcing substitute materials from the few number of approved sources. Stakeholders from the cement industry therefore suggest that the criteria used by the EPA in the categorization of waste should be redrafted in order to give an opportunity for each industry to demonstrate its ability to provide eligible alternatives. This kind of approach will ascertain continued delivery of positive and progressive outcomes for the community and the environment, while at the same time giving an opportunity to industries to attain their sustainability objectives (Thomson, 2013). Accountability There are various stakeholders responsible for the development of the policy. Primarily is the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA). The EPA played a leading role in the development of the policy. After releasing a draft in 2013, EPA released the Waste policy statement on 18th March 2014. By drafting the policy it can be stated the EPA provides an effective way of dealing with waste (York, 2014). EPA was also actively involved in conducting public consultation and exhibitions in order to get the views of the public concerning the policy. The Waste Management Association of Australia (WMAA) is another significant stakeholder in the development of the Energy from Waste Policy. The WMAA has supported the Environmental Protection Authority in coming up with a sustainable resource and waste management approach. In May 2013, WMAA offered its submission to EPA for consultation and discussion. The WMAA provided collaboration, leadership and knowledge sharing in order to develop the policy (WMAA, 2014). The EPA will also take a leading role in implementation of the policy. First, the Environmental Protection Authority started by making a categorization of various types of waste fuels to be used in the energy recovery process. Low risk fuels such as Biomass from agriculture, uncontaminated wood waste, sawmill and forestry residues, recovered waste oil, green waste and many others were listed as essential for the energy recover. EPA is also in charge of partnering with various recovery facilities that are able to implement present best practices in energy recovery (EPA, 2013). Energy recovery facilities are also key stakeholders in the implementation of the policy. The facilities are basically facilities that are involved in the treatment of waste through the use of thermal treatment. The policy affects the NSW community in general. Thus, the community cannot be excluded from the policy making and implementation process. This is basically because the community is usually affected by the outcomes of the policy. In addition, individual behavior greatly determines social change (O’Neill, 2008). In implementing the policy, the EPA is to work closely with community members in operations such as waste delivery at different hours of the day. The community is required to collaborate with EPA workers in charge of Waste facilities essentially near residential areas. The EPA therefore adopted the good neighbor’s policy in order to encourage active participation of the community in the implementation of the policy. Evaluation of the policy will be undertaken by the Environmental Protection Authority. Communications The public is very much aware of the policy. As the proposals for the formulation of the policy progressed to the assessment level, the community was engaged in genuine dialogue with the proponents of the policy. The community members were given reliable and accurate information concerning the manner in which the policy is going to run. Community members have also been informed about how waste facilities will operate essential those near residential areas (EPA, 2013). The Environmental Protection Authority also conducted consultations with the public from 13 March 2013 to 3 May 2013. The public was given an opportunity to present their views concerning the draft policy. The concerns and contributions of the members of public were reviewed by EPA and vital steps were undertaken to integrate those views before the release of the final policy statement. In general, it can be stated that the NSW community is indeed aware of about the policy due to effective communication that was undertaken at different levels of the project development (EPA, 2013). Outcomes It can be stated that the NSW energy from waste policy is working. NSW is currently rated as Australia’s solution to renewable energy and environmental governance. Hannam (2014) in the July 22nd Sydney Morning Gerald discloses that there has been an accelerating rate in waste reduction initiatives and use of renewable energy. Initiatives such as the energy from waste policy have greatly assisted promoting waste reduction in Australia. It can therefore be stated that although the policy is in its initial stages, it is actually working. Conclusion The above paper has evaluated the NSW Energy from waste Policy. The policy was devised in the backdrop of the need to manage waste by deriving energy from waste. What is evident is that the policy is a viable and can be effective. Time will however disclose how effective the policy is. References Crossie , S, 2014, NSW Energy from Waste Policy : In place and what it means for you, EPA. Environmental Protection Authority, 2014, NSW Energy from Waste Policy Statement, http://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/waste/140056enfromwasteps.htm Environmental Protection Authority, 2013, NSW Energy from Waste Policy Draft . Hannam, P, 2014, Renewable energy: NSW to be 'Australia's answer to California', The Sydney Morning Herald. National Waste Reporting , 2013, Factsheet – Jurisdictional waste profiles, NWR. O'Neill, M,2008, Waste Reduction: 6th Report of Session 2007-08 ,The Stationery Office. Steiner, A, Martonakova, H, Guziova, Z, 2003, Environmental Governance Sourcebook, United Nations Publications. Thomson , M, 2013, Cement Industry Federation submission on the Draft Policy statement on Energy From Waste Policy , The cement Federation. Waste Management Association of Australia, 2014, Changing the Future of Waste, York , H, 2014 , The NSW Energy from Waste Policy Statement , Solid start or Wasted Opportunity Read More