Environmental consulting
Encyclopedia
Environmental consulting is often a form of compliance
consulting
, in which the consultant ensures that the client maintains an appropriate measure of compliance with environmental regulations. There are many types of environmental consultants, but the two main groups are those who enter the field from the industry side, and those who enter the field from the environmentalist
side.
Environmental consultants work in a very wide variety of fields. Whether it be providing construction
services such as Asbestos
Hazard Assessments or Lead Hazard Assessments or conducting due diligence
reports for customers to rid them of possible sanctions. Consultancies may generalise across a wide range of disciplines or specialise in certain areas of environmental consultancy such as waste management
.
Environmental consultants usually have an undergraduate degree
and sometimes even master's degree
in Environmental Engineering
, Environmental Science
, or some other science discipline. They should have deep knowledge on environmental regulations, which they can advise particular clients in the private industry or public government institutions to help them steer clear of possible fines, legal action or misguided transactions.
Environmental consulting spans a wide spectrum of industry. The most basic industry that environmental consulting remains prominent in is the commercial estate market. Many commercial lenders rely on both small and large environmental firms. Many commercial lenders will not lend monies to borrowers if the property or personal capital does not exceed the worth of the land. If an environmental problem is discovered property owners that deem themselves a responsible party will most likely reserve monies in escrow in order to resolve the environmental impact.
With increasing numbers of construction, agriculture
, and scientific companies employing environmental consultancies, the industry can expect growth in the vicinity of 9.7 percent in 2008, amidst mounting public concern over environmental degradation and climate change. And while some companies are genuinely motivated by concern for the environment, for others, hiring consultants to appear to be "going green" has proven to be a useful marketing tool. Growing government funding into renewable energy and technologies producing low emissions is also helping growth, as organizations investing in research and development in these areas are often major employers of environmental consultants.
Contaminated Land is one area as mentioned above.Contaminated Land
this may well involve a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment
Energy may entail feasibility studies for renewable energy projects. For example, a study may attempt to answer the question: Would a micro-hydro-generation scheme pay for itself over the course of its operational life?
Geotechnical may also be covered by Environmental Consultants, this might include activities such as site investigations, geotechnical engineering (foundation design, slope stability), and restoration quality assurance
.
Environmental Management Systems such as ISO 14001 are large complicated systems that are often not implemented using internal man/woman power. This work is usually outsourced to consultants.
Green Claims Environmental Consultants may be employed to substantiate green claims, such as eco labels, which may involve work on supply chain or embodied carbon.
Compliance As governments become more and more environmental in their thinking, so does their legal framework. In the UK businesses are covered by numerous pieces of legislation such as oil storage regulations and The Environment Act. If they are found to be in breach of these regulations they may face severe civil or criminal actions. Environmental Consultants can check to see that the business in question is in compliance with current legislation.
Impact Assessment see Environmental impact statement
Flood Risk
, the most common of which may be a Phase 1 Screening Study.
Asbestos
Management
Radon
Carbon there are various aspects of a companies carbon foot print that may be managed by consultants. They may have internal reduction strategies, or they may be tied in with national targets. Emissions trading is also an important aspect of Carbon Management.
. As the economy moves toward a green paradigm, it is hard to define what being "green" is. Various government agencies have assembled parts of the puzzle (LEED
, Energy Star, The European Union EMAS and EcoLabel Programs, and others), but becoming a green can be confusing. There is no hard and fast standard for "green", green is an ever changing continuum.
An Eco Consultant or Green Consultant will analyze many aspects of a business, and find ways that that business can become more environmentally friendly. A green consultant differs from a LEED
Consultant in that they do not work just with construction and engineering, but all other aspects of the business operation. A green consultant may calculate the carbon footprint
of a business and make suggestions for reducing or mediating that impact. Examine the energy use of a company, areas where heat or energy are wasted and recommend improvements. Certain green consulting firms will specialize in implementing recycling programs for the express purpose of lowering solid waste disposal costs, which in turn can have a direct increase in the business' bottom line. A consultant is also able to put clients in touch with contractors for solar installation, weatherization and water use reduction. Advice on recycling in the office, incentives for carpooling, public transit use and bicycling to work for employees are important services that a consultant can offer. In the past decade, green consulting has become a rapidly growing industry—focused on being both a positive environmental influence as well as a smart and profitable decision for consultants and businesses alike.
The concept of Triple bottom line
(TBL), has moved to the mainstream of the business world. A consultant can help a business take these costs into account. The fees paid to a green consultant pay for themselves in cost savings from conservation in the workplace.
Compliance (regulation)
In general, compliance means conforming to a rule, such as a specification, policy, standard or law. Regulatory compliance describes the goal that corporations or public agencies aspire to in their efforts to ensure that personnel are aware of and take steps to comply with relevant laws and...
consulting
Consultant
A consultant is a professional who provides professional or expert advice in a particular area such as management, accountancy, the environment, entertainment, technology, law , human resources, marketing, emergency management, food production, medicine, finance, life management, economics, public...
, in which the consultant ensures that the client maintains an appropriate measure of compliance with environmental regulations. There are many types of environmental consultants, but the two main groups are those who enter the field from the industry side, and those who enter the field from the environmentalist
Environmentalist
An environmentalist broadly supports the goals of the environmental movement, "a political and ethical movement that seeks to improve and protect the quality of the natural environment through changes to environmentally harmful human activities"...
side.
Environmental consultants work in a very wide variety of fields. Whether it be providing construction
Construction
In the fields of architecture and civil engineering, construction is a process that consists of the building or assembling of infrastructure. Far from being a single activity, large scale construction is a feat of human multitasking...
services such as Asbestos
Asbestos
Asbestos is a set of six naturally occurring silicate minerals used commercially for their desirable physical properties. They all have in common their eponymous, asbestiform habit: long, thin fibrous crystals...
Hazard Assessments or Lead Hazard Assessments or conducting due diligence
Diligence
Diligence is steadfast application, assiduousness and industry — the virtue of hard work rather than the sin of careless sloth.Diligent behaviour is indicative of a work ethic — a belief that work is good in itself....
reports for customers to rid them of possible sanctions. Consultancies may generalise across a wide range of disciplines or specialise in certain areas of environmental consultancy such as waste management
Waste management
Waste management is the collection, transport, processing or disposal,managing and monitoring of waste materials. The term usually relates to materials produced by human activity, and the process is generally undertaken to reduce their effect on health, the environment or aesthetics...
.
Environmental consultants usually have an undergraduate degree
Undergraduate degree
An undergraduate degree is a colloquial term for an academic degree taken by a person who has completed undergraduate courses. It is usually offered at an institution of higher education, such as a university...
and sometimes even master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in Environmental Engineering
Environmental engineering
Environmental engineering is the application of science and engineering principles to improve the natural environment , to provide healthy water, air, and land for human habitation and for other organisms, and to remediate polluted sites...
, Environmental Science
Environmental science
Environmental science is an interdisciplinary academic field that integrates physical and biological sciences, to the study of the environment, and the solution of environmental problems...
, or some other science discipline. They should have deep knowledge on environmental regulations, which they can advise particular clients in the private industry or public government institutions to help them steer clear of possible fines, legal action or misguided transactions.
Environmental consulting spans a wide spectrum of industry. The most basic industry that environmental consulting remains prominent in is the commercial estate market. Many commercial lenders rely on both small and large environmental firms. Many commercial lenders will not lend monies to borrowers if the property or personal capital does not exceed the worth of the land. If an environmental problem is discovered property owners that deem themselves a responsible party will most likely reserve monies in escrow in order to resolve the environmental impact.
With increasing numbers of construction, agriculture
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
, and scientific companies employing environmental consultancies, the industry can expect growth in the vicinity of 9.7 percent in 2008, amidst mounting public concern over environmental degradation and climate change. And while some companies are genuinely motivated by concern for the environment, for others, hiring consultants to appear to be "going green" has proven to be a useful marketing tool. Growing government funding into renewable energy and technologies producing low emissions is also helping growth, as organizations investing in research and development in these areas are often major employers of environmental consultants.
Disciplines within environmental consulting
There are numerous areas in which environmental consultants might work (in no particular order):Contaminated Land is one area as mentioned above.Contaminated Land
Contaminated land
Land that is contaminated contains substances in or under the land that are actually or potentially hazardous to health or the environment. Areas with a long history of industrial production will have many sites which may be affected by their former uses such as mining, industry, chemical and oil...
this may well involve a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment
Energy may entail feasibility studies for renewable energy projects. For example, a study may attempt to answer the question: Would a micro-hydro-generation scheme pay for itself over the course of its operational life?
Geotechnical may also be covered by Environmental Consultants, this might include activities such as site investigations, geotechnical engineering (foundation design, slope stability), and restoration quality assurance
Quality Assurance
Quality assurance, or QA for short, is the systematic monitoring and evaluation of the various aspects of a project, service or facility to maximize the probability that minimum standards of quality are being attained by the production process...
.
Environmental Management Systems such as ISO 14001 are large complicated systems that are often not implemented using internal man/woman power. This work is usually outsourced to consultants.
Green Claims Environmental Consultants may be employed to substantiate green claims, such as eco labels, which may involve work on supply chain or embodied carbon.
Compliance As governments become more and more environmental in their thinking, so does their legal framework. In the UK businesses are covered by numerous pieces of legislation such as oil storage regulations and The Environment Act. If they are found to be in breach of these regulations they may face severe civil or criminal actions. Environmental Consultants can check to see that the business in question is in compliance with current legislation.
Impact Assessment see Environmental impact statement
Environmental impact statement
An environmental impact statement , under United States environmental law, is a document required by the National Environmental Policy Act for certain actions "significantly affecting the quality of the human environment". An EIS is a tool for decision making...
Flood Risk
Flood risk assessment
A flood risk assessment is an assessment of the risk of flooding, particularly in relation to residential, commercial and industrial land use.-England and Wales:...
, the most common of which may be a Phase 1 Screening Study.
Asbestos
Asbestos
Asbestos is a set of six naturally occurring silicate minerals used commercially for their desirable physical properties. They all have in common their eponymous, asbestiform habit: long, thin fibrous crystals...
Management
Radon
Radon
Radon is a chemical element with symbol Rn and atomic number 86. It is a radioactive, colorless, odorless, tasteless noble gas, occurring naturally as the decay product of uranium or thorium. Its most stable isotope, 222Rn, has a half-life of 3.8 days...
Carbon there are various aspects of a companies carbon foot print that may be managed by consultants. They may have internal reduction strategies, or they may be tied in with national targets. Emissions trading is also an important aspect of Carbon Management.
Eco Consulting - Green Consulting
Environmental Consultants are commonly referred to as either a Green consultant or Eco-Consultant. This new field specializes in assisting home owners and businesses adjust to the Green economyGreen economy
A green economy is one that results in improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities - United Nations Environment Programme...
. As the economy moves toward a green paradigm, it is hard to define what being "green" is. Various government agencies have assembled parts of the puzzle (LEED
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design consists of a suite of rating systems for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings, homes and neighborhoods....
, Energy Star, The European Union EMAS and EcoLabel Programs, and others), but becoming a green can be confusing. There is no hard and fast standard for "green", green is an ever changing continuum.
An Eco Consultant or Green Consultant will analyze many aspects of a business, and find ways that that business can become more environmentally friendly. A green consultant differs from a LEED
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design consists of a suite of rating systems for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings, homes and neighborhoods....
Consultant in that they do not work just with construction and engineering, but all other aspects of the business operation. A green consultant may calculate the carbon footprint
Carbon footprint
A carbon footprint has historically been defined as "the total set of greenhouse gas emissions caused by an organization, event, product or person.". However, calculating a carbon footprint which conforms to this definition is often impracticable due to the large amount of data required, which is...
of a business and make suggestions for reducing or mediating that impact. Examine the energy use of a company, areas where heat or energy are wasted and recommend improvements. Certain green consulting firms will specialize in implementing recycling programs for the express purpose of lowering solid waste disposal costs, which in turn can have a direct increase in the business' bottom line. A consultant is also able to put clients in touch with contractors for solar installation, weatherization and water use reduction. Advice on recycling in the office, incentives for carpooling, public transit use and bicycling to work for employees are important services that a consultant can offer. In the past decade, green consulting has become a rapidly growing industry—focused on being both a positive environmental influence as well as a smart and profitable decision for consultants and businesses alike.
The concept of Triple bottom line
Triple bottom line
The triple bottom line captures an expanded spectrum of values and criteria for measuring organizational success: economic, ecological, and social...
(TBL), has moved to the mainstream of the business world. A consultant can help a business take these costs into account. The fees paid to a green consultant pay for themselves in cost savings from conservation in the workplace.
Examples of Environmental Consulting
- Green Business Consultant (Jim HarrisJim Harris (politician)James R. M. "Jim" Harris is a Canadian author, environmentalist, and politician. He was leader of the Green Party of Canada from 2003 to 2006, when he was succeeded by Elizabeth May.-Early life and Green activism:...
, former leader of the Green Party of CanadaGreen Party of CanadaThe Green Party of Canada is a Canadian federal political party founded in 1983 with 10,000–12,000 registered members as of October 2008. The Greens advance a broad multi-issue political platform that reflects its core values of ecological wisdom, social justice, grassroots democracy and...
) - Environmental Waste SolutionsEnvironmental Waste SolutionsEnvironmental Waste Solutions is a private U.S. small business headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, which specializes in assisting businesses in becoming more environmentally friendly...
; American waste consulting firm focused on helping businesses become green while addressing the Triple bottom lineTriple bottom lineThe triple bottom line captures an expanded spectrum of values and criteria for measuring organizational success: economic, ecological, and social... - Environmental waste consulting firm Environmental Waste ControlsEnvironmental waste controls-Overview:Environmental Waste Controls plc is a privately held Merseyside- based UK company, who provide waste management and recycling solutions for various types of industry...
, a U.K. provider of environmental consulting - TerraChoice Environmental Marketing Inc.TerraChoice Environmental Marketing Inc.TerraChoice Environmental Marketing Inc. is an environmental consulting agency based in Ottawa, Canada. The company stewards the Environmental Choice Program for the Canadian government since 1995.-External links:* - Official site....
, a Canadian environmental consulting agency
See also
- Green accountingGreen accountingGreen accounting is a type of accounting that attempts to factor environmental costs into the financial results of operations. It has been argued that gross domestic product ignores the environment and therefore decisionmakers need a revised model that incorporates green accounting.- Etymology :The...
- Sustainable businessSustainable businessSustainable business, or green business, is enterprise that has no negative impact on the global or local environment, community, society, or economy—a business that strives to meet the triple bottom line. Often, sustainable businesses have progressive environmental and human rights policies...
- Council-certified Indoor Environmental Consultant
- Enermodal EngineeringEnermodal Engineering- History :Enermodal Engineering was found in 1980 by three University of Waterloo graduates including current president Stephen Carpenter. Initially the firm focused on developing software to assess renewable energy systems and building energy usage...
- Environmental engineer
- Eco-capitalismEco-capitalismEco-capitalism is one of several strategies of the green movement and Green Parties. Its central idea is that capital exists in nature as "natural capital" on which all wealth depends...