training for environmental technologies and environmental management

5
i"~UTTE RWQ RTH 0959-6526(95)00060-2 ]. Cleaner Prod., Vol. 3, No. 1-2, pp. 19-23, 1995 Copyright © 1995 Elsevier Science Ltd Printed in Great Britain. All rights reserved 0959-6526/95 $10.00 + 0.00 Training for environmental technologies and environmental management Monica Hale London Environment Centre, Faculty of Human Sciences, London Guildhall University, Calcutta House, Old Castle Street, London E1 7NT, UK During the past five to ten years, increased public and government attention has been drawn to the harmful effects on the environment of business and industry. Consequently, legislation and encouragement in the form of incentives have acted to pressurize industry to review its practices and processes in connection with their effects on the environment. As a result, environmental technology as a specialist area of knowledge and skill has emerged. National capacities, particularly in scientific education and training, need to be strengthened. This will enable governments, employers and workers to attain their environmental and development objectives by facilitating the transfer and assimilation of new environmentally sound, socially acceptable and appropriate technology and know-how. With this development there is an increasing need for specialists in this field, for technologists in other areas to be able to put into practice environmental applications, for assessors of the environmental impacts of specific technological developments and for general managers with a knowledge and understanding of environmental management. Thus, there is now an increasing need for environmental education and training in clean production to be applied to a vast array of industrial processes and applications. This paper will: review environmental technology and environmental management in relation to sustainable development; describe the basic components of environmental management systems in relation to environmental technology; examine the tools available for monitoring and assessment (e.g. technology assessments, environmental impact analysis, environmental auditing, etc.) and their training requirements; access the training requirements of chief executives, management and the workforce. Keywords: training; environmental management; technology Introduction 'A critical mass of research and development capacity is crucial to the effective dissemination and use of environmentally sound technologies and their generation locally. Education and training programmes should reflect the needs of specific goal-oriented research activities and should work to produce specialists literate in environmentally-sound technology and with an interdisciplinary outlook. Achievingthis critical mass involves building the capabilities of craftspersons, technicians and middle-level managers, scientists, engineers and educators, as well as developing their corresponding social or managerial support systems. Transferring environmentally sound technologies also involves innovatively adapting and incorpor- ating them into the local or national culture.' Paragraph 34.13, Chapter 34, 'Technology Transfer of Environmen- tally Sound Technology, Cooperation and Capacity-Building', Agenda 21, United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), 19921. The degradation of the environment is now a major concern of governments, the public, educators, and (increasingly) business and industry. The last 5-10 years has seen an unprecedented increase in the number of legislative measures aimed at making industry 'cleaner' and less environmentally degrading. There are now over 400 European Union (EU) environmental regulations and directives and also programmes such as the Fifth Environmental Action Programme, the Eco-LabeUing Scheme, and the Environmental Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS). Although the programmes are voluntary it is possible they will become mandatory in the future. Modern industrial and manufacturing processes are designed to minimize pollution and make more efficient use of finite resources. Parallel developments in environmental management systems are being implemented to reduce waste, use resources efficiently, minimize pollution, and lower the risk of polluting accidents. These changes result in cost savings, econ- omic, and marketing benefits. If the global environment is to be improved then these 'clean' technologies J. Cleaner Prod. Volume 3 Number 1-2 19

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Page 1: Training for environmental technologies and environmental management

i " ~ U T T E RWQ RTH

0959-6526(95)00060-2

]. Cleaner Prod., Vol. 3, No. 1-2, pp. 19-23, 1995 Copyright © 1995 Elsevier Science Ltd

Printed in Great Britain. All rights reserved 0959-6526/95 $10.00 + 0.00

Training for environmental technologies and environmental management

Monica Hale

London Environment Centre, Faculty of Human Sciences, London Guildhall University, Calcutta House, Old Castle Street, London E1 7NT, UK

During the past five to ten years, increased public and government attention has been drawn to the harmful effects on the environment of business and industry. Consequently, legislation and encouragement in the form of incentives have acted to pressurize industry to review its practices and processes in connection with their effects on the environment. As a result, environmental technology as a specialist area of knowledge and skill has emerged. National capacities, particularly in scientific education and training, need to be strengthened. This will enable governments, employers and workers to attain their environmental and development objectives by facilitating the transfer and assimilation of new environmentally sound, socially acceptable and appropriate technology and know-how. With this development there is an increasing need for specialists in this field, for technologists in other areas to be able to put into practice environmental applications, for assessors of the environmental impacts of specific technological developments and for general managers with a knowledge and understanding of environmental management. Thus, there is now an increasing need for environmental education and training in clean production to be applied to a vast array of industrial processes and applications.

This paper will: • review environmental technology and environmental management in relation to sustainable

development; • describe the basic components of environmental management systems in relation to

environmental technology; • examine the tools available for monitoring and assessment (e.g. technology assessments,

environmental impact analysis, environmental auditing, etc.) and their training requirements; • access the training requirements of chief executives, management and the workforce.

Keywords: training; environmental management; technology

I n t r o d u c t i o n

'A critical mass of research and development capacity is crucial to the effective dissemination and use of environmentally sound technologies and their generation locally. Education and training programmes should reflect the needs of specific goal-oriented research activities and should work to produce specialists literate in environmentally-sound technology and with an interdisciplinary outlook. Achieving this critical mass involves building the capabilities of craftspersons, technicians and middle-level managers, scientists, engineers and educators, as well as developing their corresponding social or managerial support systems. Transferring environmentally sound technologies also involves innovatively adapting and incorpor- ating them into the local or national culture.' Paragraph 34.13, Chapter 34, 'Technology Transfer of Environmen- tally Sound Technology, Cooperation and Capacity-Building', Agenda 21, United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), 19921.

The degradation of the environment is now a major concern of governments, the public, educators, and (increasingly) business and industry. The last 5-10 years has seen an unprecedented increase in the

number of legislative measures aimed at making industry 'cleaner ' and less environmentally degrading. There are now over 400 European Union (EU) environmental regulations and directives and also programmes such as the Fifth Environmental Action Programme, the Eco-LabeUing Scheme, and the Environmental Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS). Although the programmes are voluntary it is possible they will become mandatory in the future.

Modern industrial and manufacturing processes are designed to minimize pollution and make more efficient use of finite resources. Parallel developments in environmental management systems are being implemented to reduce waste, use resources efficiently, minimize pollution, and lower the risk of polluting accidents. These changes result in cost savings, econ- omic, and marketing benefits. If the global environment is to be improved then these 'clean' technologies

J. Cleaner Prod. Volume 3 Number 1-2 19

Page 2: Training for environmental technologies and environmental management

Training for environmental technologies: M. Hale

and management techniques must be more widely introduced and applied. However, they may need to be adapted for different environments and they must be affordable.

Environmentally sound technology

'Environmentally sound technology is a relative concept in that it depends on the level of information and knowledge available and the perception among stakeholders in a society'.

'Environmentally Sound Technology Assessment (ESTA)', Centre for Science and Technology for Development, New York, 19912 .

Environmental problems are largely the result of technology choices. Therefore the proper choice, application and management of technologies is central to the issue of sustainable development and economic regeneration.

Environmentally sound technology is a relative concept which implies that:

• what might be perceived as environmentally sound today need not necessarily be sound tomorrow;

• any technology must be viewed in relation to the socio-economic and cultural conditions in which it is operating, thereby creating an interaction, the outcome of which needs to be constantly assessed.

Environmentally sound technologies that can slow down or even reverse the trend of environmental degradation in the atmosphere, biosphere and geo- sphere are available but are not always easily accessible to business and industries.

The efficiency of applied technologies depends essentially on the capacity to make appropriate tech- nology choices based on technology assessment. This requires the institutionalization of technology assess- ment and networking with research institutions, tech- nology centres and the productive sector. It also requires the elaboration of a methodology for technology assessment which stresses the approach that technology is the connecting link in the technology-environment-economic regeneration tri- angle. This, in turn, requires an informed workforce as well as a receptive industry who make the key decisions.

Environmentally sound technologies are those tech- nologies that best ensure the maintenance of natural resources used for production within specific social, economic, environmental and cultural conditions and are related to a fixed time horizon. There is therefore a changed emphasis from efficient technologies that provide the highest yields to those that also generate minimum waste and emissions.

The practical application of environmental tech- nology is therefore primarily on the 'process and product technologies' which generate low or no waste and 'end of the pipe' technologies of pollution treat- ment.

New technology demands new skills in terms of know-how and the ability to use and adapt the

technology. It also needs broader infrastructural sup- port in terms of management, marketing, maintenance and development. Local capabilities must be enhanced and self-reliance engendered. Thus technology cooperation is frequently purely skills-based.

Education and training issues

In June 1992 the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development ('The Earth Summit'), was held in Rio de Janeiro. One of the main outcomes of this was the Agenda 21 which is viewed as the environmental action plan to take us into the 21st century.

Chapter 36 of Agenda 21 ('Promoting Education, Public Awareness and Training') 1, notes that there is still a considerable lack of awareness of the interrelated nature of all human activities on the environment due to insufficient information. In addition, the Bruntland Report 3 (a precursor to Agenda 21 by the World Commission on Environment and Development) advo- cates a 'vast campaign of environmental education' and specialist training in environmentally sound technology.

Awareness education is required at all levels to enable economic regeneration to be achieved via environmentally sound technology transfer and cooperation. This must include all strata of society:

• decision-makers (government, local government, industry, business),

• professionals (continuing professional education and development);

• users and operators.

Agenda 21 (Chapter 36) considers training 'one of the most important tools to develop human resources and facilitate the transition to a more sustainable world'. It should have a 'job-specific focus, aimed at filling the gaps in knowledge and skills that will help individuals find employment and be involved in environmental and development work'.

It follows that one of the main objectives of training, as envisaged in Agenda 21, is that it should strengthen national capacities, particularly in scientific education, and that training at all levels is crucial for all economic activities. A well-trained workforce will enable govern- ments, employers and workers to attain their environ- mental and development objectives by facilitating the transfer and assimilation of new environmentally sound, socially acceptable and appropriate technology and know-how.

However, many issues remain concerning the termin- ology, scope, and content of the environmental tech- nology curriculum. This is largely a result of the broad range of science and technology education required for environmentally sound technology skills and expertise.

For environmental technology initiatives to be effec- tive in economic regeneration, the economic circum- stances and the technical and managerial skills need to be in place 'to ensure that technologies can be absorbed, adapted, used and diffused '4. Thus human

20 J. Cleaner Prod. Volume 3 Number 1-2

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resource development and capacity-building and aspects of technology choices (including gender aspects) need to be addressed. Marketing, maintenance and development support is also required.

Skills to assess the appropriateness and advantages of technologies prior to their introduction and to enable subsequent management are required to improve existing technologies and adapt them to specific needs and priorities.

Education and training in environmental technology is necessary in order to assess, adopt, manage and apply environmentally sound technologies. This can be achieved via:

• human resource development; • strengthening institutional capacities for research

and development and programme implementation; • integrated sector assessments of technology needs

in accordance with countries' plans, objectives and priorities as foreseen in the implementation of Agenda 21 at the national level.

Positive action to promote the introduction of environ- mental technology is required as well as the know- how to build up economic, technical and managerial capabilities for the efficient use and further develop- ment of transferred technology. Successful long-term development in environmental technology requires continuing systematic training and capacity-building at all levels.

Environmental assessment and problem solving methodologies

The methodology of impact assessment applied to policy and technology selection, adoption and evalu- ation needs to be enhanced. A strong methodological basis for environmentally sound technological assess- ment is a prerequisite for the successful introduction of appropriate technology. It therefore follows that environmental impact analysis and environmental assessment should form part of the basic training in environmental technology applications. This element is largely overlooked at present. Environmentally sound technology assessment involves the integration of environmental impact assessment and technology assessment principles and procedures. The general methodology is formulated in a dynamic social systems model, the Impact Assessment Model.

Training shortfalls

Many of the current technology and environmental technology training courses are not structured to deliver real problem-solving skills, relying on a bottom- up approach to learning with an emphasis on theory. Students spend the majority of their time working through carefully designed exercises. Real-world prob- lems are not as neatly packaged as these exercises and this results in a lack of expertise in problem recognition and definition. These skills are essential for the

Training for environmental technologies: M. Hale

introduction and development of appropriate environ- mental technologies in industry.

Environmental technology is frequently concerned with the design and analysis of complex and integrated systems which may be used in relatively unsophisticated environments. The operational environment of this technology may therefore be quite different from that where it originated. This has resulted in a need for additional research, especially in the areas of:

• the role of design in the operation of environmental technology;

• operational control of integrated environmental systems;

• the role of computers in the operation and control of environmental systems, particularly with regard to problem diagnosis and corrective action;

• education and training requirements to ensure the efficient operation and maintenance of complex environmental systems in technology receiving coun- tries.

To successfully promote environmentally sound tech- nologies, five factors are necessary:

• core business strengths must be built on; • the business and environmental advantages of

environmental technology must coincide ('strategic fit');

• technology transfer and development must be regarded as long-term investments;

• technology transfer must be a cooperative process - the development of partnerships can be beneficial;

• government assistance and support mechanisms must exist.

However, environmental technologies will not be sufficient by themselves. Environmental management systems are necessary to use the new technologies effectively and imbue an environmental ethic through- out business operations.

Environmental management systems

Environmental management is the wise use and management of resources which is not only cost effective but limits the unnecessary degradation of environmental resources upon which the whole of humankind depends.

Recognizing that the way a company works is essential through the management framework of the company, the concept of 'environmental management systems' has found favour among politicians, environ- mentalists, economists, industrialists and the business world in general.

The concept of sustainable development allows for continued economic growth and rise in living standards and acknowledges that economic growth must be within the limitations of the earth's carrying capacity.

Environmental issues have now become pervasive and companies which at first paid no attention to what they thought would be a passing fad are now considering

J. Cleaner Prod. Volume 3 Number 1-2 21

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Training for environmental technologies: M. Hale

environmental requirements and realizing the commer- cial logic of 'going green'. Lower costs arise not only from energy efficiency but from recycling initiatives and careful purchasing policies. Investment in state- of-the-art technology and of good management practice also result in tangible efficiency and cost benefits as well as favourable 'PR'.

The environmental management system is a frame- work set by top management, which consists of a policy statement and guidelines concerning organization, administration, procedures, verification, measuring standards, planning, etc., with the purpose of gaining and maintaining control over the environmental impact of the company's activities. The system should not be established in isolation, but rather should be fully integrated in the way the company runs its business.

Warnings abound of the dangers facing humankind as a result of reliance on industrial processes. There is now a great deal of pressure on industry to respond to the call for environmentally sound practices and processes. The demand on industry to take environmen- tal considerations into account, while at the same time maintaining growth and prosperity, is not easy. However, caring for the environment and increasing profits are not necessarily mutually exclusive objec- tives. During the past decade environmental manage- ment systems have been developed which allow manu- facturing industry to become cleaner, less wasteful in its use of raw materials, more profitable and less environmentally damaging.

Traditionally lhe answer to the question 'is this good business?' has been answered in terms of an evaluation of the systems which take account of such factors as product development costs, profit margins, interest rates, transportation marketing and advertising, man- agement costs, overheads, etc. This solely financial quantification has often resulted in a failure to recognize the damage being caused to the environment while in the pursuit of economic gain. This has blighted the industrialized countries of the north, which are now embarking on clean-up campaigns and imposing ever more stringent controls on the environmental perform- ante of industry.

It has been predicted that the focus of companies will increasingly be on clean technology, competitive advantage, cost savings, environmental marketing, integrating environmental management into main- stream business functions and measuring environmental performance.

Environmental management systems in business and industry

To achieve quality, a company must be in control of all aspects of its activities. Control is gained and maintained in four steps.

(1) Find out what must be controlled: a diagnosis of the company impact on the natural environment should be carried out and conscientiously analysed. The company should not restrict itself to compliance with

present legislation, but should anticipate legal and regulatory developments. Competitive advantages may also be achievable by imposing even stricter company- specific standards.

(2) Decide how control will be gained: primarily a task for top management, which must create an environmental management system comprising a frame- work with policies, rules and priorities. Many compa- nies mistakenly begin implementation immediately after diagnosis. Such practices may solve the problem short-term, but preventative solutions to environmental issues must adopt long-term strategies. Importantly, this approach will result in higher costs to achieve environmental management. Further, without an environmental management system, resulting action will lack cohesion and undermine effectiveness.

(3) Implementing the system: this should be well planned and organized. It will require a strategy covering several years, with priorities, targets, perform- ance indicators, financial and human resources. The plans must be translated into actual projects and actions. On average, 70-80% of the implementation will concern organizational matters, the remainder being technical. Invariably, the implementation usually requires a 'cultural revolution' in companies.

(4) Maintain control: the functioning of the system should be checked regularly (through audit and evaluation). Changes to the system might need to be implemented with changes in legislation or internal reorganizations or changes in activities and processes (after-care).

For each of these, personnel must be trained in appropriate methodology, policy formulation and implementation and must be able to assess where and how improvements can be made. The training requirements may be considerable in order to implement such high quality environment management systems. To be and remain competitive in the world, companies must adopt comprehensive and effective environmental management systems. The basis of this is that it is primarily a management system rather than a system to conserve the environment.

Conclusion: environmental training needs of business and industry leading to cleaner production

Training and education are crucial to the commercial success of business. It has been recognized that the challenge for the mid-1990s is to streamline systems and techniques and extend the use of these techniques across business in order to 'reach a position where the environment is managed as well as other, longer established business responsibilities'. This goal cannot be achieved without widespread education and training.

A number of larger companies have developed 'company manuals' or 'practice notes' on environmental matters. These describe the company's philosophy on issues such as paper recycling, environmentally friendly purchasing, saving energy and global issues. Smaller

22 J. Cleaner Prod. Volume 3 Number 1-2

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Table 1 Training/education issues for industry (in order of priority) (from ref. 5)

1. General awareness 2. Awareness of environmental issues affecting the

organization 3. Good environmental management 4. Basic knowledge of environmental protection and pollution

control 5. Basic knowledge of environmental protection legislation 6. Environmental auditing 7. Environmental assessment 8. Waste management systems/duty of care 9. Pollution prevention and waste minimization of office

functions 10. Specific operating procedures of environmental protection 11. Monitoring and record keeping 12. Authorization procedures 13. Use and storage of chemicals 14. Training for environmental staff 15. Others: training for government; emergency preparedness;

reviewing success programmes; training for suppliers; training for new technology

companies that do not have the in-house resources or expertise hire consultants to write these. Alternatively a series or a supply of leaflets could be developed and distributed to companies.

Training needs to be linked to the development and implementation of environmental management systems and the use and development of clean production methods: organizations at different stages of implementing environment management systems and clean technologies have different training requirements. The four main areas of training provision are:

• environmental awareness in respect of how environ- mental issues affect organizations;

• setting up and running systems to manage the organization's environmental impacts;

• environmental auditing; • specialist training for staff (including technologists).

Company staff need to go on training courses and have access to materials outlining relevant experience, for example, case studies of how other organizations manage environmental risks and opportunities.

Table 1 shows that general awareness training is necessary as the incorporation of environmental objectives requires a change in corporate culture. To develop specific training programmes on particular issues it is necessary to raise awareness of how certain business activities affect the environment. All senior and middle managers should have the opportunity for such training.

Training for environmental technologies: M. Hale

Companies in the UK highlighting 'good environ- mental management ' as a priority for education/ training were generally those seeking to include environmental objectives as part of Total Quality Management (TQM) ISO 9000 accreditation to BS5750.

Environmental managers need to be trained to train others in order for them to understand where their individual responsibilities lie in respect of the environ- ment, and to allow people to take greater responsibility for their actions. Environmental managers need to focus on specialist environmental training in two ways:

• access to more strategic and awareness training provided at centralized, corporate level (supported by site-specific training on environmental procedures and systems such as auditing and chemicals control);

• as training is largely seen as an element in the implementation of environmental management pro- grammes, there is a strong preference for training programmes that are specific to the industry, the organization or the site.

Training needs to be based on practical experience, especially cases from similar organizations (thus implementing effective environmental management policies without risking competitive advantage).

Training materials establishing the 'facts' on key issues and helping to establish priorities should be used. Where environmental issues are being absorbed into existing training, training managers often require training packages, including presentation materials, videos and follow-up materials to use as a basis for training which can be adapted to the organization's priorities and systems.

Environmental improvement leading to economic regeneration is dependent upon the introduction of clean technologies and environmental management systems. These go hand-in-hand with education to increase the environmental awareness of the workforce as a whole and training to implement environmentally friendly working practices.

References 1 United Nations Conference on Environment and Develop-

ment. Agenda 21, UN, Geneva, 1992 2 Centre for Science and Technology for Development (CSTD).

Environmentally Sound Technology Assessment (ESTA), New York, 1991

3 World Commission on Environment and Development. 'Our Common Future', Oxford, UK, 1987

4 Overseas Development Administration (ODA). 'Technology Cooperation: Britain's Experience', ODA, London, 1992

5 Business in the Environment/Environmental Resources Lim- ited. 'Survey of Training Needs', Oxford, UK, April 1992

J. Cleaner Prod. Volume 3 Number 1-2 23