Republic of the Philippines

CENTRAL BICOL STATE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE

Calabanga | Pasacao | Pili | Sipocot

WELCOME TO
ENVIRONMENTAL
MANAGEMENT CLASS!☺

ALLYSAH A. CALLEJA
Instructor
 MODULE 1: INTRODUCTION TO
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
 LESSON 1.1: Environmental
Management Concepts
Environmental management is the practice of using
knowledge and tools to protect and improve the environment
by focusing on the sustainable use of natural resources and
minimizing environmental impacts. This comprehensive field
integrates science, policy, economics, and social aspects to
address environmental challenges and promote sustainable
development.
 Key Concepts and Definitions
Definition and Scope of Environmental Management:

➢ Environmental Management: It involves managing human activities and

natural resources to prevent and mitigate environmental problems. The
goal is to balance environmental, social, and economic needs for current
and future generations.
➢ Scope: Environmental management encompasses various areas,
including air quality, water quality, waste management, biodiversity
conservation, climate change mitigation, and sustainable resource use.
 Importance of Environmental Management:
▪ Resource Protection: Ensures that natural resources are used efficiently
and sustainably, preventing depletion and degradation.
▪ Pollution Prevention: Reduces the release of harmful pollutants into the
environment, protecting ecosystems and human health.
▪ Regulatory Compliance: Helps organizations and governments comply
with environmental laws and regulations, avoiding legal and financial
penalties.
▪ Public Health and Quality of Life: Improves the well-being of communities
by maintaining clean air, water, and soil.
▪ Sustainable Development: Supports economic growth while ensuring
environmental sustainability, benefiting both current and future generations.
Key Principles of Environmental Management

Sustainability
▪ Definition: Meeting the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their
own needs.

▪ Application: Involves integrating environmental

considerations into economic and social decision-making
processes to achieve long-term environmental health.
Precautionary Principle
▪ Definition: Taking preventive action in the face of
uncertainty to avoid harm to the environment and
human health.

▪ Application: Requires thorough risk assessments

and the implementation of protective measures even if
some cause-and-effect relationships are not fully
established.
Polluter Pays Principle
▪ Definition: Ensuring that those who cause pollution bear
the costs of managing it to prevent damage to human
health or the environment.

▪ Application: Involves implementing policies and

regulations that hold polluters financially accountable for
their environmental impacts.
Ecosystem Approach
▪ Definition: Managing natural resources based on the
understanding of ecosystem functions and interactions.

▪ Application: Focuses on maintaining ecosystem integrity

and functionality, considering ecological processes,
biodiversity, and the interdependence of species.
Public Participation
▪ Definition: Involving stakeholders and communities in the
decision-making process to ensure inclusive and effective
environmental management.

▪ Application: Encourages transparency, accountability, and

collaboration, leading to more informed and accepted
environmental policies and practices.
 Approaches to Environmental
Management
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
▪ Definition: A process used to evaluate the environmental
effects of a proposed project or development.
▪ Steps: Screening, scoping, impact assessment, mitigation,
reporting, review, and monitoring.
▪ Importance: Ensures that potential environmental impacts are
identified and addressed before project implementation.
Environmental Management Systems (EMS)
▪ Definition: A framework that helps organizations achieve
their environmental goals through consistent control of their
operations.
▪ Components: Environmental policy, planning,
implementation, checking, management review, and continual
improvement.
▪ Standards: ISO 14001 is the most widely recognized EMS
standard.
Sustainable Resource Management
▪ Definition: Practices aimed at managing resources
such as water, energy, and land in a sustainable
manner.
▪ Strategies: Conservation, efficient resource use,
renewable energy adoption, and sustainable agriculture.
▪ Importance: Ensures the long-term availability and
quality of natural resources.
Pollution Prevention and Control
▪ Definition: Strategies and technologies to reduce or
eliminate the release of pollutants into the environment.
▪ Methods: Source reduction, waste minimization, recycling,
and treatment technologies.
▪ Benefits: Protects ecosystems and human health, reduces
cleanup costs, and improves regulatory compliance.
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
▪ Definition: A technique to assess the environmental
impacts associated with all stages of a product's life, from
raw material extraction to disposal.
▪ Phases: Goal and scope definition, inventory analysis,
impact assessment, and interpretation.
▪ Application: Helps identify opportunities for improving
environmental performance and reducing the ecological
footprint.
LESSON 1.2: ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
PRINCIPLES
Environmental management principles provide a framework for
addressing environmental challenges and promoting sustainability.
These principles guide decision-making, policy development, and
actions aimed at minimizing environmental impacts while
balancing economic and social needs.
1. Sustainability
Sustainability refers to meeting the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own
needs. It emphasizes long-term environmental health, economic
prosperity, and social well-being.
Application:
▪ Triple Bottom Line Approach: Balancing environmental, economic,
and social dimensions to achieve sustainable development.
▪ Resource Efficiency: Using resources efficiently to minimize waste
and depletion.
▪ Lifecycle Thinking: Considering environmental impacts throughout
the lifecycle of products and services.
Examples:
▪ Implementing renewable energy sources to reduce reliance on
fossil fuels.
▪ Adopting sustainable agriculture practices to conserve soil
fertility and water resources.
▪ Promoting eco-friendly products and services that minimize
environmental impacts.
2. Precautionary Principle
The precautionary principle states that action should be taken
to avoid potential harm to the environment or human health,
even when scientific knowledge is incomplete or uncertain.
Application:
▪ Risk Assessment: Evaluating potential risks and uncertainties
associated with new technologies or activities.
▪ Risk Management: Implementing preventive measures to
mitigate risks before they escalate.
Examples:
▪ Banning or restricting the use of chemicals suspected to have
adverse environmental impacts until their safety is scientifically
proven.
▪ Establishing protected areas or buffer zones around sensitive
ecosystems to prevent habitat destruction.
3. Polluter Pays Principle
The polluter pays principle holds that those who pollute or
degrade the environment should bear the costs of mitigation and
cleanup, rather than society at large.
Application:
▪ Environmental Taxes and Fees: Charging industries for
emissions or waste disposal based on their environmental
impact.
▪ Liability and Responsibility: Holding polluters legally accountable
for environmental damage caused by their activities.
Examples:
▪ Imposing fines on industries that violate environmental
regulations or exceed pollution limits.
▪ Requiring companies to fund environmental remediation efforts
and restoration projects in areas affected by their operations.
4. Ecosystem Approach
The ecosystem approach involves managing natural resources
based on an understanding of ecosystem structure, function,
and interactions among organisms and their environment.
Application:
▪ Conservation and Restoration: Protecting biodiversity and
restoring degraded ecosystems to maintain ecological balance.
▪ Integrated Management: Considering the cumulative impacts of
human activities on ecosystems when making land-use and
resource management decisions.
Examples:
▪ Establishing marine protected areas to conserve coral reefs
and marine biodiversity.
▪ Implementing watershed management plans to protect water
resources and prevent soil erosion.
5. Public Participation
Public participation refers to involving stakeholders, communities,
and the public in environmental decision-making processes to
ensure transparency, accountability, and inclusive governance.
Application:
▪ Consultation and Engagement: Seeking input and feedback from
affected communities, indigenous groups, and stakeholders during
project planning and implementation.
▪ Access to Information: Providing access to environmental data,
reports, and assessments to facilitate informed decision-making.
Examples:
▪ Holding public hearings or consultations for proposed
development projects to gather community feedback and
address concerns.
▪ Establishing citizen science programs to involve the public in
environmental monitoring and data collection efforts.
6. Integration and Collaboration
Definition:
Integration and collaboration involve fostering partnerships and
cooperation among governments, industries, academia, NGOs,
and communities to address complex environmental challenges.
Application:
▪ Multi-Sectoral Approaches: Working across disciplines and sectors
to develop comprehensive solutions to environmental issues.
▪ Partnerships and Networks: Forming alliances and networks to
share knowledge, resources, and best practices for sustainable
development.
Examples:
▪ Collaborating with international organizations and neighboring
countries to address transboundary air and water pollution.
▪ Partnering with local communities and indigenous groups to
co-manage natural resources and protect cultural heritage.
❖Environmental management principles provide a framework for
achieving sustainable development and addressing
environmental challenges effectively.

❖By integrating these principles into policies, practices, and

decision-making processes, stakeholders can promote
environmental stewardship, conserve natural resources, and
enhance the quality of life for current and future generations.
 LESSON 1.3: Environmental Tools and
Techniques
Environmental tools and techniques are essential for assessing,
managing, and mitigating environmental impacts in various
sectors, from industry and agriculture to urban planning and
natural resource management. These tools provide valuable
data, facilitate decision-making, and support the implementation
of effective environmental management strategies.
1. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

Definition: Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a

systematic process for identifying and evaluating the
potential environmental effects of a proposed project, plan,
or policy before it is implemented.
Components:
• Screening: Determines if an EIA is required based on project
size, location, and potential impacts.
• Scoping: Identifies key environmental issues and stakeholders to
be addressed in the assessment.
• Impact Assessment: Analyzes the potential environmental,
social, and economic impacts of the project.
• Mitigation: Recommends measures to minimize or offset adverse
impacts.
• Reporting and Review: Prepares an EIA report for regulatory
review and public consultation.
Application:
• Infrastructure Projects: Assessing the environmental
impacts of highways, dams, and airports.
• Industrial Developments: Evaluating the effects of factories,
power plants, and mining operations.
• Policy Formulation: Informing decision-makers about the
environmental consequences of new laws and regulations.
2. Environmental Management Systems (EMS)

Definition: An Environmental Management System (EMS) is a

structured framework that helps organizations manage their
environmental responsibilities through policies, procedures, and
programs.
Components:
• Environmental Policy: Sets organizational goals and
commitments to environmental protection.
• Planning: Identifies environmental aspects, legal requirements,
and objectives.
• Implementation: Implements procedures and controls to
achieve environmental goals.
• Checking and Corrective Action: Monitors performance,
conducts audits, and takes corrective measures.
• Management Review: Evaluates EMS effectiveness and makes
improvements.
Standards:
• ISO 14001: International standard for EMS, providing guidelines
for organizations to achieve environmental sustainability and
regulatory compliance.
Application:
• Corporate Sector: Integrating environmental considerations into
business operations and supply chains.
• Public Sector: Improving environmental performance in
government agencies and municipal services.
• Non-Profit Organizations: Promoting sustainability and
accountability in conservation and advocacy efforts.
3. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

Definition: Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a systematic analysis

of the environmental impacts of a product, process, or activity
throughout its entire life cycle, from raw material extraction to
disposal.
Phases:
• Goal and Scope Definition: Identifies the purpose, boundaries,
and functional unit of the LCA study.
• Inventory Analysis: Quantifies energy, materials, and
emissions associated with each life cycle stage.
• Impact Assessment: Evaluates potential environmental
impacts, such as global warming, acidification, and resource
depletion.
• Interpretation: Analyzes results, identifies opportunities for
improvement, and communicates findings.
Application:
• Product Design: Comparing environmental impacts of
different materials and manufacturing processes.
• Policy Development: Informing environmental policies and
regulations based on LCA findings.
• Consumer Information: Providing eco-labels and
sustainability certifications to inform consumer choices.
4. Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Definition: Geographic Information Systems (GIS) integrate

geographic data (e.g., maps, satellite imagery) with environmental
and social information to analyze spatial patterns and
relationships.
Functions:
• Data Capture: Acquires geographic data from various
sources, including remote sensing and GPS.
• Data Management: Organizes, stores, and updates spatial
data in a digital format.
• Analysis: Performs spatial analysis, such as overlay,
buffering, and proximity analysis.
• Visualization: Creates maps, graphs, and reports to
communicate spatial information effectively.
Application:
• Environmental Planning: Identifying sensitive habitats, land
use suitability, and conservation priorities.
• Natural Resource Management: Monitoring deforestation,
water quality, and wildlife populations.
• Emergency Response: Mapping disaster risks, evacuation
routes, and relief efforts during natural disasters.
 5. Pollution Prevention and Control
Technologies

Definition: Pollution prevention and control technologies aim to

reduce or eliminate the release of pollutants into the environment
through innovative engineering and management practices.
Types:
• Source Reduction: Minimizing the generation of pollutants at
the source through process changes and efficiency
improvements.
• End-of-Pipe Technologies: Treating pollutants before
release into the environment, such as scrubbers, filters, and
wastewater treatment systems.
• Recycling and Reuse: Recovering and repurposing materials
and resources to reduce waste and environmental impact.
Application:
• Industrial Sector: Implementing cleaner production techniques
and technologies to reduce emissions and waste.
• Municipal Sector: Upgrading wastewater treatment plants and
solid waste management systems to improve environmental
quality.
• Agricultural Sector: Adopting sustainable farming practices to
minimize pesticide use and soil erosion.
Thank you!