Environmental consulting
Environmental consulting is often a form of compliance consulting, in which the consultant ensures that the client maintains an appropriate measure of compliance with environmental regulations. There are many types of environmental consultants, but the two main groups are those who enter the field from the industry side, and those who enter the field from the environmentalist side.
Environmental consultants work in a very wide variety of fields. Whether it be providing construction services such as Asbestos Hazard Assessments or Lead Hazard Assessments or conducting due diligence reports for customers to rid them of possible sanctions. Consultancies may generalise across a wide range of disciplines or specialise in certain areas of environmental consultancy such as waste management.
Environmental consultants usually have an undergraduate degree and sometimes even master's degree in Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies or some other science discipline. They should have deep knowledge on environmental regulations, which they can advise particular clients in the private industry or public government institutions to help them steer clear of possible fines, legal action or misguided transactions.
Environmental consulting spans a wide spectrum of industry. The most basic industry that environmental consulting remains prominent in is the commercial estate market. Many commercial lenders rely on both small and large environmental firms. Many commercial lenders will not lend monies to borrowers if the property or personal capital does not exceed the worth of the land. If an environmental problem is discovered property owners that deem themselves a responsible party will most likely reserve monies in escrow in order to resolve the environmental impact.
With increasing numbers of construction, agriculture, and scientific companies employing environmental consultancies, the industry can expect growth in the vicinity of 9.7 percent in 2008, amidst mounting public concern over environmental degradation and climate change. And while some companies are genuinely motivated by concern for the environment, for others, hiring consultants to appear to be "going green" has proven to be a useful marketing tool. Growing government funding into renewable energy and technologies producing low emissions is also helping growth, as organizations investing in research and development in these areas are often major employers of environmental consultants.[1]
Subdisciplines
There are numerous areas in which environmental consultants might work (in no particular order):
Contaminated Land is one area as mentioned above. Contaminated Land this may well involve a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment
Energy may entail feasibility studies for renewable energy projects. For example, a study may attempt to answer the question: Would a micro-hydro-generation scheme pay for itself over the course of its operational life?
Geotechnical may also be covered by Environmental Consultants, this might include activities such as site investigations, geotechnical engineering (foundation design, slope stability), and restoration quality assurance.
Environmental Management Systems such as ISO 14001 are large complicated systems that are often not implemented using internal man/woman power. This work is usually outsourced to consultants.
Green Claims Environmental Consultants may be employed to substantiate green claims, such as eco labels, which may involve work on supply chain or embodied carbon.
Compliance As governments become more and more environmental in their thinking, so does their legal framework. In the UK businesses are covered by numerous pieces of legislation such as oil storage regulations and The Environment Act. If they are found to be in breach of these regulations they may face severe civil or criminal actions. Environmental Consultants can check to see that the business in question is in compliance with current legislation.
Impact Assessment see Environmental impact statement
Flood Risk, the most common of which may be a Phase 1 Screening Study.
Asbestos Management
Carbon there are various aspects of a company's carbon foot print that may be managed by consultants. They may have internal reduction strategies, or they may be tied in with national targets. Emissions trading is also an important aspect of Carbon Management.
Terminology
Environmental Consultants are commonly referred to as either a Green consultant or Eco-Consultant. This new field specializes in assisting home owners and businesses adjust to the Green economy. As the economy moves toward a green paradigm, it is hard to define what being "green" is. Various government agencies have assembled parts of the puzzle (LEED, Energy Star, The European Union EMAS and EcoLabel Programs, and others), but becoming a green can be confusing. There is no hard and fast standard for "green", since green is an ever-changing continuum.
An Eco Consultant or Green Consultant will analyze many aspects of a business, and find ways that that business can become more environmentally friendly. A green consultant differs from a LEED Consultant in that they do not work just with construction and engineering, but all other aspects of the business operation. A green consultant may calculate the carbon footprint of a business and make suggestions for reducing or mediating that impact. Examine the energy use of a company, areas where heat or energy are wasted and recommend improvements. Certain green consulting firms will specialize in implementing recycling programs for the express purpose of lowering solid waste disposal costs, which in turn can have a direct increase in the business' bottom line. A consultant is also able to put clients in touch with contractors for solar installation, weatherization and water-use reduction. Advice on recycling in the office, incentives for carpooling, public transit use and bicycling to work for employees are important services that a consultant can offer. In the past decade, green consulting has become a rapidly growing industry—focused on being both a positive environmental influence as well as a smart and profitable decision for consultants and businesses alike.
The concept of Triple bottom line (TBL), has moved to the mainstream of the business world. A consultant can help a business take these costs into account. The fees paid to a green consultant pay for themselves in cost savings from conservation in the workplace.
See also
- Green accounting
- Sustainable business
- Enermodal Engineering
- Environmental engineer
- Eco-capitalism
- Environmental consulting firms