Initial Environmental Assessment
The first important step in any environmental program is to develop a benchmark or initial point of reference upon which future progress may be measured or compared with.
In 1999, the University of New England, under provisions of Part 6.3, Section 180 of the Protection of the Environment (Operations) Act 1997, undertook a Voluntary Environmental Audit of the main campus.
The audit was conducted by Golder and Associates of Sydney and included facilities operated by the UNE Sports Union, the UNE Union, the Residential Colleges, NSW Agriculture and the surrounding rural properties owned and operated by the University.
The overall goals for the University were to:
- To provide a framework with which the University could comply with environmental regulatory requirements
- To clearly demonstrate that it is meeting its environmental, economic and social responsibilities and
- To ensure continuous improvement in environmental performance
The University would achieve this through development and implementation of an Environmental Management System, or EMS.
Some of the deliverables of the audit were:
1. Identify the legislative and regulatory obligations with which UNE must comply;
2. Identify existing or potential non compliance;
3. Recommend action to achieve compliance;
4. Identify environmental risk that the University is required to manage;
5. Identify potential environmental emergencies and provide management recommendations;
6. Complete a gap analysis between ISO 14001 and current UNE systems and controls;
7. Prepare an EMS development plan;
8. Identify improvements to waste handling and disposal procedures;
9. Identify current level of staff awareness of environmental responsibilities and programs