January 15, 2008 by John Morelli | Filed under: Codes of Practice,Overview

Welcome to the discussion!

Researchers working on this important subtopic include:

TBA_________________________
TBA_________________________
TBA_________________________
TBA_________________________
TBA_________________________
TBA_________________________

Listed below are the various postings from the research team. Some will be abstracts of and links to relevant literature. Others will be original work posted here for comments, criticisms, suggestions, questions, etc. from professional environmental managers who visit this site.

If you are interested in participating on this professional research team, or learning more about it, please contact us by clicking here.

No Comments »

December 19, 2007 by amathew , Brian Butler , amathew | Filed under: Codes of Practice,Literature Review

The article begins with the author’s opinion that the world is in need of economic development that provides benefits to all areas of society, while still sustaining our natural systems.  The author continues by explaining that organization that recognize this need and address adequately, will benefit greatly.  The article also addresses what the author refers to as the “trinity of sustainable development”:  economy, environment and equity.  The author believes that an absence in any of the three areas will result in a reduced competitive advantage for a company.  The author discusses the idea that public, private and civil sectors, each acting as a division of labor and providing a “checks and balances” system, has done an adequate job of meeting the “trinity of sustainable development”; however, he believes that a more focused and holistic approach will be necessary in the future.  The main focus of this article appears to be the idea that sustainable practices by an organization can maximize profits.  The author argues that sustainable outcomes must be planned for no differently than a company plans for capital spending, procurement, or safety; and that a single management entity must be accountable for the planning of sustainable practice.  The article mentions the idea that a company’s CEO must be its “Chief Environmental Officer” in order to better serve the goal of sustainable practice.  The author also discusses the need for ethical behavior when reaching for sustainability, and that corporations vying for the trust of a varied group of sustainability constituents is not likely to do so with unethical behavior.     

No Comments »

December 19, 2007 by amathew , amathew , Brian Butler , John Morelli and John Morelli | Filed under: Codes of Practice,Competencies of the Environmental Manager [2, 3, 4],Literature Review,RESEARCH CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGER QUALIFICATIONS AND CREDENTIALING,Standards of Competence

The article begins by examining the relationship between human beings and the biosphere, and raises the argument that every person on earth should be entitle to the same right to enjoy the benefits of this planet, and this idea also extends to future generations.  This idea is the basis for sustainability:  the right for present and future generations to utilize the earth’s resources.  The authors then discuss the impact that current economic and political practices have on the success of sustainability:  over-consumption of resources does not support sustainability.  The authors also posit that the value we place on the environment is a key factor in the overall success of sustainability and that ethics plays a role in the value we place on nature:  if the only concern of a society is the economic value of the environment, sustainability will not be achieved.   The authors determine that the idea of Environmental Ethics arose from the framework of the rights and duties between humans and other living and non-living creatures.  The article concludes with the idea that the future of the planet depends on the values (both economic and social) that humans place on resources, and that our ethical viewpoint is the driving factor in the success of sustainability.

No Comments »

December 19, 2007 by amathew , John Morelli , amathew , Brian Butler | Filed under: Codes of Practice,Literature Review,Standards of Competence

The article begins by examining the current state of western economics (capitalism) and how this system attributes to environmental degradation (increased consumption and production, increases waste).  The article also discusses how globalization adds to environmental degradation as it encourages the concentration on income, and widens social inequality, and makes the natural environment unsustainable.  The authors surmise that the current ethics and values of the western model are incompatible with the sustainability of the environment. Also discussed is the notion that the definition of sustainability must incorporate social, economic and ecological considerations.  The overall focus of the article then shifts toward the idea that ethics, when applied to environmental concerns and practices, is a major factor in achieving sustainability.  The authors examine the idea of difference between social norms when comparing different cultures, and how these differences, when applied to environmental concerns, create incongruence.  Anthropocentrism is also discussed, and how this concept creates arrogance in the human race, especially toward the environment.  The authors conclude that ethics is the essence of sustainability and human attitudes in regard to resources and the environment must shift toward a more conscientious state in order to be a sustainable culture.

No Comments »

December 19, 2007 by amathew , amathew , Brian Butler | Filed under: Codes of Practice,Environmental Valuation and Accounting [1],Literature Review,Standards of Competence

The article begins by stating that the field of environmental management necessitates various tools and that as relationships are found between these tools, more specific and wider models can be developed to provide integrated solutions to environmental problems.  The authors makes the claim that, while most environmental managers use their values as a starting point when making decision, values and ethics can be incorporated into the process throughout.  The article goes on to explain that there have been many attempts to incorporate environmental ethics into the economic and policy decision-making process and the authors propose a model that will further help those attempts.  The model is called The Concentric Spheres Model and consists of a Technical sphere; that lies within an Economic sphere; that lies within a Political sphere; that lies within an Ethical sphere; that lies within a Philosophical sphere; that lies within an Ontology sphere.  The model can be used beginning from the outside spheres or from the inside spheres.  The authors conclude that “every decision-making level, or sphere, includes and defines the framework of the process of the interior spheres, lacking themselves all the tools required to solve the environmental conflict if they are not already settled. The decision-maker must look to the superior spheres to solve a problem when uncompromising conflicts appear at one stage.”  Essentially, when a decision is being made, the use of the model enables the decision makers to move through each sphere of concern until a final decision can be made that satisfies all of the components.

No Comments »

December 19, 2007 by amathew and Brian Butler | Filed under: Codes of Practice,Literature Review

The Academy of Board Certified Environmental Professional (ABCEP) Program began in 1979 and is managed by a group of volunteer professionals.  In their first year of existence, ten environmental professionals were awarded the CEP designation.  The ABCEP accepts applications continually, and applicants must have a minimum of nine years of applicable professional environmental experience, five years of which must be in a position of responsible charge and/or responsible supervision.  The ABCEP has their own internal code of ethics and includes such ideas as encouraging research, planning, design, management and review of activities in a scientifically and technically objective manner; encouraging environmental planning to begin in the earliest stages of project conceptualization; incorporating the best principle of design and environmental planning when recommending measures to reduce environmental harm and enhance environmental quality; seeking common, adequate, and sound technical grounds for communication with, and respect for, the contributions of other professionals in developing and reviewing policies, plans, activities, and projects; conducting professional activities in a manner that ensures consideration of technically and economically feasible alternatives

No Comments »

December 19, 2007 by amathew , amathew , Brian Butler | Filed under: Codes of Practice,Literature Review

The author begins by asking: what is nature, what is the environment?  The article defines nature as the whole of the physical world, and that man is in nature but he acts upon it, thereby emancipating himself of it; He is part and apart of nature. The human/nature relationship is the object, in western societies at least, of contradictory representations, says the author.  The article goes on to define ethics and how it applies to the environment, and to the future sustainability of the environment.  The author defines environmental ethics as applied ethics which examines the moral basis of our responsibility toward the environment.  The author concludes that environmental norms are human constructs which are self-imposed by the recognition that the human individual is part of a community of interdependent parts. The author surmises that control of production and consumption patterns must be undertaken so as to preserve the regenerative capacity of natural resources as well as the natural cycles and balances; this can be achieved through a global ethical approach.  The author closes with the suggestion that The Earth Charter Document, prepared by Maurice Strong, should be used as a model for rules of conduct and sustainable principles in regard to the planet.

No Comments »

December 19, 2007 by amathew , amathew , Brian Butler | Filed under: Codes of Practice,Literature Review

The Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA), is a not-for-profit membership-based organization located in England and Wales.  IEMA was established in order to help promote best practice standards in environmental management, auditing and assessment; IEMA offers a varying range of certification levels.  IEMA promotes sustainability through improved environmental practice and performance and is the “Competent Body” in the United Kingdom for the European Union’s Eco Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS).  IEMA also offers the “Acorn Scheme”, which is an EMS standard recommended by the government. The overarching goals of IEMA include:  promoting the goal of sustainable development through the promotion of improved environmental practice and performance; providing recognition of those individuals who are competent environmental sustainability professionals; raising the profile of environmental sustainability professionals and the importance of the work that they undertake; contributing to the development of skills and competencies of environmental sustainability professionals through training, information and experience exchange, and the sharing of good practice; recognizing organizations that successfully contribute to environmental sustainability; managing the Institute’s resources in an effective and efficient way.  The IEMA vision is to be the leading membership body for environmental sustainability professionals.

No Comments »

December 19, 2007 by amathew , amathew , Brian Butler | Filed under: Codes of Practice,Literature Review

The Chartered Institute of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM), was formed in 1987 following the merging of The Institution of Public Health Engineers, The Institution of Water Engineers and Scientists, and The Institute of Water Pollution Control; CIWEM was granted a Royal Charter in 1995.  The aim of CIWEM is to demonstrate leadership in environmental affairs and to seek to influence the national and international environmental agenda.  CIWEM has an environmental management system (EMS) in place in order to minimize their environmental impact.  Professionals who currently hold CIWEM certification include senior management, engineering and scientific posts in local authorities, water companies, regulatory bodies, consultants, contractors, government departments, universities, the private sector of industry and environmental and conservation organizations.  CIWEM has a Code of Environmental Ethics for its members to comply with, and includes:  ensuring that the uses of natural resources are fair, equitable and sustainable and take account of the needs of a diverse environment; never knowingly or deliberately cause the environment to be damaged; ensuring that the uses of the environment do it no harm or to the native wild-life within it and wherever possible enhance it; serving as an example to others for responsible environmental behavior; never engaging in corrupt practice and maintaining a high standard of professional behavior

No Comments »

December 19, 2007 by amathew , amathew , Brian Butler | Filed under: Codes of Practice,Literature Review

The Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC), was founded in 1979 and is a nonprofit, worldwide professional society comprised of individuals and institutions engaged in the study, analysis, and solution of environmental problems.  SETAC began with 230 Charter Members in October 1980 and has grown to nearly 5,000 members from 50 U.S. states, 13 Canadian provinces, and more than 70 countries worldwide.  SETAC publishes a scientific journal and convenes an annual meeting to address pertinent global environmental issues.  The SETAC World Council (SWC) became effective in 2002 to promote international communication of environmental issues through research and education.  The SWC facilitates continued worldwide outreach to environmental managers.  The overarching goal of the institute is to facilitate the development of principles and practices for protection, enhancement and management of sustainable environmental quality and ecosystem integrity.  SETAC offers certifications for environmental professionals and subscribes to a code of ethics that includes:  commitment to ethical professional conduct; honorable, responsible, ethical, and lawful conduct, in order to enhance the honor and reputation of the environmental profession; avoidance of conflicts of interest and situations that may imply a conflict of interest; paying proper credit for intellectual property and honoring property rights; recognizing and respecting confidentiality; abstaining from deceptive acts such as fabricating, falsifying, or suppressing results.   

No Comments »