IOSH Protecting Our Environment 3

Question 1

What is 'carbon footprint'?

Accepted Answer

The total amount of greenhouse gases produced directly and indirectly by an organisation, event, product or person, expressed as CO2 equivalent

Answer

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'?

Accepted Answer

The principle that whoever causes pollution should bear the costs of managing, cleaning up and remediating the environmental damage

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Environmental Protection Act 1990, Environment Act 1995/2021, Water Resources Act 1991, Clean Air Act 1993, and Environmental Permitting Regulations

Answer

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'?

Accepted Answer

An unplanned event that causes or could cause harm to the environment, such as a chemical spill, uncontrolled emission, or illegal waste disposal

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Systematically monitoring, controlling and reducing energy consumption to minimise environmental impact and reduce costs

Answer

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).

IOSH Managing Safely Practice Test

IOSH Managing Safely Practice Test

IOSH Protecting Our Environment 3