Question

What is a formal organisational environmental policy? What might be covered by or included in an organisation’s environmental policies and procedures? List at least five issues and discuss in 120–150 words.(In Australian Accounting Environment) (please type up your answer)

Answer 1

A statement by the organization of its intentions and principles in relation to its overall environmental performance which provides a framework for action and for the setting of its environmental objectives and targets

Environmental policy is the commitment of an organization to the laws, regulations, and other policy mechanisms concerning environmental issues. These issues generally include air and water pollution, waste management, ecosystem management, maintenance of biodiversity, the protection of natural resources, wildlife and endangered species

the above is the definition for environmental policy

An environment policy should meet all the folliowing points

1.	Meet all relevant regulatory and legislative requirements.
2.	Reduce waste and consumption of resources (materials, fuel and energy), recover and recycle, where feasible.
3.	Minimize the production of pollutants to the environment.
4.	Adopt technologies and raw materials that will minimize pollution, energy use and waste.
5.	Design products in such a way to minimize their environmental effects in production, use and disposal.
6.	Minimize the adverse environmental effects of new developments through strategic planning.
7.	Provide environmental education and training.
	Work towards the achievement of sustainable development The policy should be simple and intelligible,consistent with other organisational policies,practical and achievable. exclusions from policy Organisations should think about what the environmental policy says about it and if it's untrue or cannot be proved it should be left out. Organisations should be prepared to be able to demonstrate statements such as comply with legal requirements, reducing energy usage, no longer using toxic chemicals in its products, etc. At the end of the day, organisations could be prosecuted for misleading and untrue statements when it comes to their environmental performance and its activities, products and services. (Having an effective ISO 14001 environmental management system should help organisations prove that the environmental policy is truthful and current.) Organisations should think about who their readers are such as customers, blue and white collar personnel, the EPA if it causes damage to the environment and runs the risk of prosecution, the public who are interested in a new development in their neighbourhood, etc. The environmental policy should be written for them as well as providing internal direction for the organisation. If it's too long then it should be cut down. Out of experience anything longer than three quarters of a page should be redeveloped and reduced, otherwise the messages can be lost by its readers. Also don't be afraid of redeveloping or even tearing up your existing environmental policy and starting from scratch. hope you will get the required information from the above data