Benefits of Environmental Management - Essay Example

Environmental Management The environment is no longer just the air we breath, or the world we live in, it has become a requirement for businesses to address the environment in order to maintain customers, and exist [thrive] in an ever more critical global economy. There is an ever-upward spiral of new environmentally related legislation. All of which aids global environment for our fellow citizens. Environmental management systems can assist an organization to meet its increasingly heavy burden of responsibility for the future condition of our world environment. In many cases, the introduction of an environmental management system can also aid cost savings, and reduction of environmental liability. Benefits of Environmental Management Cost Savings Successful environmental management will evaluate all opportunities for cost savings, the most common benefits derive from a review of resource/ energy utilization and its efficiency, forcing full consideration of alternative energy sources and their cost effectiveness. The other primary element will be minimization of waste and result and cost of disposal. Customer Requirements Many companies have addressed the management system for customer requirements related to quality and ISO9000. The range and diversity of customer needs and expectations is constantly growing with many customers increasing preference for use of suppliers and sub-contractors who can demonstrate that they are good environmental citizens. No customer would want to risk a tarnished reputation (or non-compliance to legislation) from the poor environmental performance of their suppliers and sub-contractors. The safest option for the customer is to use suppliers and sub-contractors who can demonstrate their positive environmental performance. The ability to demonstrate a responsible environmental attitude can dramatically improve the image of the corporation fostering better relations with the company's stake holders. Corporate Image Even more importantly, adverse publicity about the organizations environmental performance is always highly damaging. Legislation The scope and severity of environmental legislation is ever increasing. A management system that ensures recognition of the requirements and compliance with them will ensure that fines are avoided and staff is not imprisoned in addition to avoidance of the publicity that inevitably follows an environmental prosecution. Investment The investors are increasingly moving to green portfolio's, and it is interesting that the financial performance of these portfolios has been good in comparison to more traditional investment. In seeking additional investment for the organization it is sensible to ensure the widest scope and this is only aided by a demonstrably sound environmental performance. Insurance Insurance companies are fully aware of the risk to their policies from poor environmental performance of the insured. Companies with a sound and effective environmental management system are able to demonstrate that they pose less risk to the insurance company and create a negotiating tool for lower premiums. Some insurance companies now require an environmental audit of the company prior to agreeing cover. Marketing Opportunities All companies seeking growth obviously want their product and services attractive to a widest possible market. Poor environmental performance will encourage many potential customers to decide not to buy from the company; good environmental performance will ensure continuation of the widest possible mark Environmental Degradation in Somalia Somalia is an east Africa Country that has been devastated by civil war for the past six years which there was no central government that could administer to the nation. Somalia, a country that has seen self destruction through civil wars has allowed its environment to degrade to a level that cannot be described in words because in the last two decades of the twentieth century the Somalia have witnessed a burgeoning global environmental awakening to the kind of doom and gloom that we are told will affect us all from holes in the ozone layer to extinction of rain forests. Some of the current environmental problems that Somalia are facing are The use of contaminated water which contributes to health problems Deforestations Overgrazing Soil erosion Desertification Merciless poaching of wildlife Recurring droughts Frequent dust storms over the northern and eastern plains in summer Somalia is one of the uppermost nations listed as a site for the dumping of hazardous nuclear and chemical waste by industrialized nations. The different means of livelihood among Somalis leads to different forms of abuse of the land. In the middle and northern regions as well as eastern regions like Mudug, Todheer, Bari and Sanaag, livestock such as camel, sheep and cattle are mainly herded while in the southern part of the country farming cultivation are the main means of livelihood, it is also stated that about 60 percent of Somalia's population are nomads and they depend solely on pasture for their means of livelihood while most Somalis depend on livestock for their livelihoods and for food while livestock depends on plant for its food. In region where cultivation is the main occupation, the cutting of small trees and the clearing of large trees for land utilization are major environmental threats while in regions where livestock herding is the main occupation, major threats are through the cutting of trees for livestock sheltering, overpopulation of livestock, and water scarcity and water pollution. so, if the current rate of desertification is not stopped plants livestock humans will die together and there will be little life left on the land for many generation to come. So, you can imagine the effect of environmental degradation in Somalia. A newly established non-governmental organization named Somali Environmental Protection and Anti-Desertification Organization (SEPADO) highlighted the following to reduce the rate of environmental degradation in Somalia To develop an institution based on community leadership that can research and study ways to combat desertification in Somalia To conduct ecological research expeditions in Somalia, prioritizing those areas suffering severe environmental stress To create tree plantation nurseries and implement reforestation programmes, particularly in areas severely affected. To provide occupational skills training to enable villagers to become self-supporting and maintain healthy livelihoods without having to destroy their environment. To develop agricultural schemes to assist farmers in planting trees, provide healthy seeds farming equipment and general training and advice. To organize and manage existing elements of those in society who already poses a good perception of environmental issues. To increase the level of environmental understanding among all the people of Somalia. To organize periodical workshops for all severely affected regions and if possible invite international non-government organization. Above all this mentioned highlighted steps that SEPADO aims to take in order to reduce environmental degradation in Somalia, they have to note that if work is not carried out soon to educate the Somalia people on the sustainable use of natural resources, and an in-depth inventory made on environmental hazards, the desertification and pollution will increase at an extremely disturbing rate. This will only add to the threat to the lives of many for present and future generations. Data analysis of fuel in the world The fig.21 depicts the rapid increase in volumes of co2 content increase in the atmosphere. The diagram gives a clear picture of exponential volumes of co2 emissions and concentrations from 1950 . The graph explains and indirectly point out that the escalation of the industrialization has ignited the usage of fossil fuels which was more efficient in enhancing the prevailing economic growth. The rapid development perceived with the indirect usage of the fossil right from coal, petroleum, natural gas has demanded more production of this fossil fuel. The governments to tap this rapid revenue generator in sectors like transportation have added taxes to capture more returns on the growing demand for the fuels. This price raise did not hinder the consumers to stop using these fuels as they were more customized towards the fuel usage. The consumers are not having another viable option to shift their usage to other fuels as the alternative fuels were incompatible with current mode of devices they were using. The diagram in Fig.2 depicts the trend in the fuel price raise in developing countries. The graph shows the European fuel prices were high when compared to the other developed countries according to the economic status. Though the fuel prices in U.K were well controlled for some extent till mid nineties (Fig.5 & 6) it was no isolated with the global oil price hike. The graph in fig.4 shows that there is a steady increase in the pricing of the gas which is considered as an essential commodity in U.K. The government has been instrumental in raising the price of fuels like gases particularly in European countries as it is visible from the graph (Fig.3) have added to net value of the gas. This increase in the price is a regional demand created in U.K to regulate the usage of fossil fuel. However it did not hinder the consumer. The reason behind the hike in prices were said to be the reduction in the production volumes at North Sea areas which was the core supplier of U.K energy needs. Comparing to the European countries the price hike in UK was initiated lately responding to the growing demand and the decline in the production. The Implications The data depicts that the global oil prices trends and regional trends play an important role in deciding the future of the fossil fuels like gasoline. There is distinct trend in the utilization of fuels globally. The developments activities had resulted in more production and consumption which has resulted in exerting pressure on the delicate demand-supply chain. The government should be proactive in encouraging the measures which regulate the fuel usage. Government has to elevate the fuels requirements to new avenues of renewable energy resources to meet the future needs and to cope with the growing demand for fuels for nation's growth. U.K has to choose alternative energy resources to ease the pressure on the fossil fuels like gas to elevate the uninterrupted exploitation of these natural resources. These fuels are major source for the industries and household and were made as a part of the daily activity years together. To some extent it is impossible to replace these fossil fuels with these volumes, but we can elevate the use for energy generation from other means. A balanced approach in utilization of these fuels along with renewable energy resources will increase the span of supply in near future. The government approach will decide the sustainability of the fossil fuels in near future Some viable options to cope with future fuel crisis are: To use non-renewable energy resources like bio-gas, fuels generated from industrial solid waste may serve the purpose of power supply my minor activities. Encouraging people to use mass transport supported by the organizations working which may result in decrease the pollution and decrease the consumption To develop and implement solar fuel resources with active government support to persuade and use these them in urban flock. Restrictions on average consumption by individuals and industries New technologies to discover the fuel resources to tune with current demand Research on the development of fuel efficient systems should systems Decentralization of energy production by this waste management may fill the gap of the energy requirements near the regions Future Business opportunities: The industrial solid waste management and energy production is an area to exploit. The waste management treatment plants in collaboration with industries. The business opportunity taps the inherent energy resource from the waste. The business assists in creating a social responsible activity and results in creating a self reliable entity in that region. The manufacturing of solar cooking and lighting devices can be a adopted as a small scale business entity as it requires less investment and can be a house hold industry. The popularity of these solar devices may decrease the rural employment and boost the economy of the regions under consideration. Solar energy is everlasting and the devices manufactured will have longer life. The initial investment will work out good results for corporate and industrialists. Bio-fuel plants cultivation may yield good returns with proper scientific and governmental assistance. The solar manufacturing outlets can be developed into small scale industries and the governments can encourage the entrepreneurs who wish to perceive these activities. The above business opportunities can be perceived with small group of individuals, the governments should be proactive in encouraging these initiatives by providing them subsides to sustain. The corporate organizations should utilize these energy initiatives at their premises and should strive for a greener and safer ambience at their campuses. The operational costs will come down as there will be no scope of deviating revenues to spend on energy. The governments should market these products and should create awareness in public to perceive these non polluting alternative energy resources. Appendix: Fig.1 Fig.2 Fig.3 (thepriceoffuel.com) Fig.4 Fig.5 Fig.6 Fig.7 Fig.9 Fig.10 (Source: http://www.ecozine.co.uk/images/clip_image008.jpg Fig.10) Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Management Primary energy consumption gross domestic product and energy ratio from 1970 to 2005 at http://www.dtistats.net/energystats/dukes1_1_4.xls 31/07/06 UK Energy Statistics - 2006 Digest at http://www.yourcounty.co.uk/businessnews/ukenergystatistics310706b2.html How countries compare-Energy costs and consumption available at http://www.thepriceoffuel.com/howcountriescompare/ 1973 oil crisis, available at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1973_oil_crisis The impact of high oil prices, Trinidad and Tobago congress, Feb 2005, available at http://www.uwi.tt/principal/documents/oil_oecs.pdf Energy its impact on environment and society,2005 available a http://www.dti.gov.uk/files/file20263.pdf Graph available at http://www.ecozine.co.uk/images/clip_image008.jpg (Fig.10) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Futures_studies Feysal Ahmed Yusuf author and Director of Somali Environmental Protection and Anti-Desertification Organization(SEPADO) Read More