Social Responsibility and the

Environment

Section Meeting – June 3, 2010

Safety Resources – Salisbury, MD

Delmarva ASQ Section 512

Meeting Agenda

Networking – Light Refreshments Introductions General Business Member Recognition Webinar – Green Process Management

Sam Windsor, Delta Sigma Solutions

ISO14001 Consortium Paul Gietka, Mgr. Environmental Engineering Program,

University of Maryland Mfg Assistance Program

Social Responsibility and the Environment Kevin Waddell, Section 0512 Chair

Delmarva ASQ Section 0512

Social

Responsibility

and the

Environment

Environmental Impact

The decisions and activities of organizations invariably have an impact of the environment no matter where they are located and may be associated with:

Use of living and non-living resources;

Location of the activities of the organization;

Generation of pollution and/or waste;

Implications of organizations activities, products and services on natural habitats.

Challenges of Society

Society is facing many environmental challenges:

Depletion of natural resources Pollution Climate change Destruction of habitat Loss of species or collapse of whole ecosystems Degradation of urban and rural human settlements

As the world population grows, these problems grow exponentially and pose increasing threats to the environment as well as human security and the health and well being of society.

What Must Be Done????

Identify options to reduce and eliminate unsustainable volumes and patterns of production and consumption;

Make sure that resource consumption per person becomes sustainable;

Involve a comprehensive, systematic and collective approach at a local, regional and global level;

Thus, Environmental Responsibility is an important aspect of Social Responsibility as a precondition of survival and prosperity of

human beings.

Definition: Social Responsibility

Responsibility of an organization for the impacts of its decisions and activities on society and the environment, through transparent and ethical behavior that:

Is consistent with sustainable development and the welfare of society;

Takes into account expectations of stakeholders; Is in compliance with applicable law and consistent with

international norms of behavior; and Is integrated throughout the organization.

Definition: Sustainable Development

Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs:

Renewable resources use – used at a rate that is less than or equal to, its rate of natural replenishment.

o Renewable energy comes from natural resources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides and geothermal heat, which are renewable (naturally replenished). Also can consider materials that can be recycled, such as metals.

Non-renewable resource use – long term sustainability requires rate of use to be less than the rate at which a renewable resource can be substituted for it:

o A natural resource which cannot be produced, re-grown, regenerated, or reused on a scale which can sustain its consumption rate. These resources often exist in a fixed amount, or are consumed much faster than nature can recreate them. Fossil fuels (such as coal, petroleum and natural gas) and nuclear power (uranium) are examples.

ISO 26000 – Guidance on Social ResponsibilityISO Standard providing “guidance” on socially

responsible behavior and possible actions;

Scheduled for release as a Final Draft International Standard (FDIS) in Aug-Sep 2010 and as a full fledged ISO Standard by Nov 2010;

Is NOT Certifiable;

Applicable to all organizations – flexible (use what you want);

Encompasses a full range of core subjects relating to social and environmental issues aimed at promoting sustainable development.

ISO 26000 – Core Subjects

ISO 26000 – Core Subject6.5 The Environment

Principles:

Environmental responsibilityo Assume responsibility for environmental burdens and improve

The precautionary approacho Uncertainty of severity should not delay preventive measures

Environmental risk managemento Develop awareness and emergency response procedures

Polluter payso Bear the cost of pollution, focus on prevention in preference to

mitigating its impacts

(Reference ISO/DIS 26000)

ISO 26000 – Core Subject6.5 The Environment

Considerations: Life cycle thinking

o Consideration of environmental impact from raw materials and energy generation, through production and use, to end-of-life disposal or recovery

Environmental impact assessmento Before starting a new activity and use in decision-making process

Cleaner production and eco-efficiencyo Make improvements at the source not at the end of a process

(inputs vs. outputs)

Product-service system approacho Product lease, renting or sharing, pooling and pay-for-service

Use of environmentally sound technology and practices Sustainable procurement

o Preference to products and services with minimized impacts

Environmental Issues

Issue 1 – Prevention of pollution

Issue 2 – Sustainable resource use

Issue 3 – Climate change mitigation and adaption

Issue 4 – Protection of the environment and restoration of natural habitat

Environmental Issue 1 – Prevention of pollutionDescription of the Issue:

Emissions to airo Lead, mercury, VOCs, SO2, ozone-depleting substances

Discharges to watero Direct, intentional or accidental

Wasteo Liquid or solid waste contamination to air, water and land

Release of toxic and hazardous chemicalso Acute (immediate) or chronic (long term)

Other identifiable forms of pollutiono Noise, odor, visual, radiation, vibration, infectious agents, biological

hazards

Environmental Issue 1 – Prevention of pollutionRelated actions and expectations:

Identify the sources of pollution and waste; and measure, record and report on significance;

Measure, record and report on reduction of pollution, water consumption, waste generation and energy consumption;

Prevent pollution and/or manage unavoidable pollution and waste;

Publicly disclose significant toxic and hazardous materials used and released;

Identify and prevent use of banned substances Implement a chemical accident prevention and

emergency preparedness and response program.

Environmental Issue 2 – Sustainable resource useDescription of the Issue:

Energy efficiencyo Related to buildings, transportation, production processes,

appliances and electronic equipment

Water conservation and access to watero Excessive use of water

Efficiency in use of materialso Environmental burden caused by use of raw materials

Environmental Issue 2 – Sustainable resource useRelated actions and expectations:

Identify the sources of energy, water and other resources used; and measure, record and report on significance;

Implement resource efficiency measures to reduce use of energy, water and other resources (best practices);

Complement or replace non-renewable resources with alternative renewable or low impact sources;

Use recycled materials and reuse water as much as possible;

Promote sustainable consumption.

Environmental Issue 3 – Climate change mitigation and adaptionDescription of the Issue:

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and global climate change.o Trends include rising temperatures, changes in rainfall patterns,

more frequent occurrences of weather events, rising sea levels, and changes to ecosystems, agriculture and fisheries.

Every organization is responsible for some GHG emissions (either directly or indirectly) and will be affected in some way by climate change.o Implications for minimizing GHG emissions (mitigation) and

planning for a changing climate (adaption).

Environmental Issue 3 – Climate change mitigation and adaptionRelated actions and expectations:

Identify the sources of direct and indirect GHG emissions and define its boundaries (scope) of responsibility;o Reference PAS2050 and ISO14064

Measure, record and report on significant GHG emissions and implement measures to reduce and minimize them;

Reduce the use of fossil fuels, use low-emission technology and renewable energy;

Prevent release of GHG emissions (especially ozone-depleting);

Measure your carbon footprint and implement measures to offset GHG emissions (Carbon neutral).

Reduce vulnerability to climate change through adaptiono Consider future global and local climate projections to identify riskso Identify opportunities to avoid or minimize damage from change

Environmental Issue 4 – Protection of the environmentDescription of the Issue:

Value, protecting and restoring ecosystem serviceso As ecosystems are degraded or destroyed, they lose the ability to

provide services such as food, water, fuel, flood control, soil, pollinators, natural fiber, recreation and the absorption of pollution and waste.

Valuing and protecting biodiversityo Protection of the “variety of life” to ensure the survival of terrestrial

and aquatic species, genetic variability and natural ecosystems

Using land and natural resource sustainablyo Protection or degradation of habitat, water, soils and ecosystems

Advancing environmentally sound urban and rural developmento Impacts associated with urban planning, building and construction,

transport systems, waste and sewage management, and agricultural techniques.

Environmental Issue 4 – Protection of the environmentRelated actions and expectations:

Identify potential adverse impacts on ecosystem and eliminate or minimize impacts;

High priority to avoiding loss of ecosystems, then restoring and finally to compensate for losses over time;

Strategy to promote conservation and sustainable use; Plan, design and operate in such a way to minimize

environmental impact of operations or building construction;

Procure from environmentally-sound suppliers; Value and protect wild animals and their habitats.

Delmarva ASQ Section 0512

ISO26000 Assist Organizations

GOOD INTENTIONS GOOD ACTIONS

Delmarva ASQ Section 0512

Thank You !!