IOSH Protecting Our Environment 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is 'carbon footprint'?
- The physical footprint of a factory building
- The total amount of greenhouse gases produced directly and indirectly by an organisation, event, product or person, expressed as CO2 equivalent (Correct answer)
- The amount of carbon in the soil
- The distance carbon dioxide travels in the atmosphere
Correct answer: The total amount of greenhouse gases produced directly and indirectly by an organisation, event, product or person, expressed as CO2 equivalent
A carbon footprint measures the total greenhouse gas emissions (expressed as CO2 equivalent) caused directly and indirectly by an activity, organisation, product or individual. It includes Scope 1 (direct), Scope 2 (electricity) and Scope 3 (supply chain) emissions.
Question 2: What is the 'polluter pays principle'?
- A voluntary donation to environmental charities
- The principle that whoever causes pollution should bear the costs of managing, cleaning up and remediating the environmental damage (Correct answer)
- A tax on all businesses regardless of their environmental impact
- A principle that only applies to the oil and gas industry
Correct answer: The principle that whoever causes pollution should bear the costs of managing, cleaning up and remediating the environmental damage
The polluter pays principle holds that whoever causes environmental damage should bear the costs of prevention, control, clean-up and remediation. It is a fundamental principle of UK and EU environmental law, reflected in environmental liability regulations and enforcement policies.
Question 3: What are the main environmental laws that managers should be aware of?
- Only the Environmental Protection Act 1990
- Environmental Protection Act 1990, Environment Act 1995/2021, Water Resources Act 1991, Clean Air Act 1993, and Environmental Permitting Regulations (Correct answer)
- Only the Climate Change Act 2008
- Environmental laws do not apply to managers
Correct answer: Environmental Protection Act 1990, Environment Act 1995/2021, Water Resources Act 1991, Clean Air Act 1993, and Environmental Permitting Regulations
Key environmental legislation includes: Environmental Protection Act 1990 (duty of care, statutory nuisance), Environment Act 1995/2021, Water Resources Act 1991 (water pollution), Clean Air Act 1993 (air emissions), Environmental Permitting Regulations, Hazardous Waste Regulations, and WEEE Regulations.
Question 4: What is an 'environmental incident'?
- Any natural disaster
- An unplanned event that causes or could cause harm to the environment, such as a chemical spill, uncontrolled emission, or illegal waste disposal (Correct answer)
- A planned environmental audit
- A change in weather conditions
Correct answer: An unplanned event that causes or could cause harm to the environment, such as a chemical spill, uncontrolled emission, or illegal waste disposal
An environmental incident is any unplanned event that results in, or has the potential to result in, harm to the environment. Examples include chemical spills, oil leaks, uncontrolled emissions to air or water, fire generating polluting smoke, and illegal waste disposal.
Question 5: What is 'energy management' in the context of environmental protection?
- Managing the gas and electricity budget
- Systematically monitoring, controlling and reducing energy consumption to minimise environmental impact and reduce costs (Correct answer)
- Only relevant to energy companies
- Installing solar panels
Correct answer: Systematically monitoring, controlling and reducing energy consumption to minimise environmental impact and reduce costs
Energy management involves systematically monitoring, analysing and reducing energy consumption. It includes energy audits, setting reduction targets, improving equipment efficiency, behavioural change programmes, investing in renewables, and implementing energy management systems (ISO 50001).
Question 6: What is a 'consignment note' for hazardous waste?
- A delivery note for new equipment
- A legally required document that tracks hazardous waste from production through to its final disposal, ensuring traceability (Correct answer)
- A consent form for environmental monitoring
- A financial invoice for waste disposal services
Correct answer: A legally required document that tracks hazardous waste from production through to its final disposal, ensuring traceability
Hazardous waste consignment notes are legal documents required under the Hazardous Waste Regulations. They track hazardous waste from the producer through each carrier to its final disposal facility, ensuring complete traceability and preventing illegal dumping.
IOSH Protecting Our Environment 3
What is 'carbon footprint'?