| CODE | EMP3011 | |||||||||
| TITLE | Environmental Risk Management | |||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course | |||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | Not Applicable | |||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | |||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Environmental Management and Planning | |||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit will provide an extensive review of environmental risk management. The difference between hazard-based and risk-based approach is discussed as well as the source, pathway and receptor concept. The various steps of a Risk Assessment process involving problem formulation, hazard identification, release and consequence assessment, exposure assessment and risk estimation will be presented. Reference is also made to international standards for Risk Management and Environmental Management Systems. Both humans and the natural environment are vulnerable to a host of natural and technological hazards that present risk; to this end, a number of such hazards (including tsunamis, seismic and volcanic events, hurricanes, storm surges and sea-level rise will be explored in addition to a number of biophysical hazards. Specific aspects of coastal risk management are presented with specific reference to erosion and flooding. The concept of risk is explored via the estimated vulnerability of the subject at risk and the type of hazard present. Methodologies for risk analysis (conducted to identify potential vulnerabilities) will be reviewed together with an exploration of how modelling is used to forecast risks and to produce risk related maps. Global and regional regulatory frameworks and the importance of increasing public awareness and communication will be presented and their effectiveness in risk mitigation discussed. Study-unit Aims: This study-unit aims to provide students with: - Knowledge on the preparation of a environmental risk assessment and the steps involved to manage risk; - Knowledge about environmental hazards and risk in relation to vulnerability and its relationship to human behaviour; - Basic knowledge to apply Environmental Management Systems, related international standards and the development of mitigation measures to achieve risk reduction; - An understanding of coastal hazards and related risk management; - An appreciation of the increasing vulnerability of coastal communities in an age of global warming. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: a. Explain basic concepts of environmental hazards, risk, vulnerability, mitigation and adaptation; b. Recall and review hazards having an impact on the coast; c. Illustrate methodologies for risk assessment and opportunities for risk mitigation; d. List global and regional regulatory frameworks concerned with risk reduction; e. Describe the components and mechanisms of an Environmental Management System and ISO standards with particular reference to ISO14001/ISO14004/EMA; f. Illustrate how the process of risk assessment involving problem formulation, hazard identification, release and consequence assessment, exposure assessment and risk estimation may be used to manage risk. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: a. Evaluate options for mitigating against and adapting to coastal hazards and the social, economic and ecologic value of such mitigation; b. Assess and debate the contribution of global and regional regulatory frameworks towards risk reduction; c. Develop a basic environmental risk assessment including the identification of sources, pathways and receptors. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Calow, P.,(ed.), 1998. Handbook of Environmental Risk Assessment and Management. Oxford, United Kingdom: John Wiley and Sons Ltd. ISBN: 0-86542-732-1. Harrison, L. L., (ed.), 1984. The McGraw-Hill Environmental Auditing Handbook: A Guide to Corporate and Environmental Risk Management. USA: McGraw-Hill. ISBN: 007-026-859-2. Hyndman, D. & Hyndman, D., 2009. Natural Hazards and Disasters. US: Brooks Cole. 2nd Edition. ISBN: 049-5-11-490-1. Lynn T., D. & McConnell, A., 2007. Risk and Crisis Management in the Public Sector. UK: Routledge.2007 edition. ISBN: 0-415-37815-X. Pritchard, P., 2000. Environmental Risk Management (Business & Environment Practitioner Series). UK: Earthscan Publications Ltd. 2nd Edition. ISBN: 978-185-383-598-8. Cutter, S., 2006. Hazards Vulnerability and Environmental Justice. UK: Earthscan Publications Ltd. Illustrated edition. ISBN: 978-184-407-311-5. The H. John Heinz III Centre for Science, Economics and the Environment, 2000. The Hidden Costs of Coastal Hazards - Implications for Risk Assessment and Mitigation. US: Island Press. 1st Edition. ISBN: 978-155-963-756-5. Psuty, N. P. & Ofiara, D. D., 2002. Coastal Hazard Management - Lessons and Future Directions from New Jersey. US: Rutgers University Press. ISBN: 978-081-353-150-2. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture, Fieldwork and Seminar | |||||||||
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| LECTURER/S | Joseph M. Cacciottolo Albert Caruana Sebastiano D'Amico Anthony Stephen Micallef (Co-ord.) |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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