| CODE | EMP3014 | ||||||||||||
| TITLE | Tools for Environmental Appraisal: Key Concepts and Case Studies | ||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | Not Applicable | ||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 6 | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Environmental Management and Planning | ||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | The unit will describe various tools used for purposes of environmental appraisal. During the first part of the unit, Environmental Impact Assessment procedures will be outlined, including: (i) the historical development of EIA; (ii) EIA procedures: screening, scoping, the establishment of Terms of Reference (ToR), baseline studies, impact assessment, the assessment of alternatives, the identification of mitigation measures, and monitoring; (iii) EIA methodologies (including the use of checklists, matrices, and other valuation techniques). The unit will also discuss the process of Strategic Environmental Assessment. The specific EIA and SEA frameworks used in the European Union and in Malta will be described during the unit. The second part of the unit will then provide an overview of tools and approaches relevant to private-sector environmental management, including Environmental Management Systems, environmental auditing, and Corporate Social Responsibility. The relevance of an organization's environmental policy will be discussed, as will the setting of goals for environmental performance. In this regard, reference will be made to relevant ISO standards, Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS), and the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle. Emphasis will be placed on local scenarios. The third part of the unit will provide an overview of other miscellaneous tools for environmental appraisal that may be utilized in a variety of settings. These include functional analysis, life cycle analysis and ecological footprint analysis. The strengths and limitations of the different tools described in this unit will be discussed. These issues will be explored in-depth within local contexts. Selected case studies will highlight specific issues related to environmental appraisal. Fieldwork sessions will be used to illustrate and evaluate relevant themes in a local context. Study-unit Aims: - to familiarize students with a range of tools used for environmental management purposes; - to enable students to understand the way in which Environmental Impact Assessment procedures are administered in Malta, and to comprehend the various stages of the process; - to enable students to understand the various ways in which environmental management can be implemented within private-sector organizations, with reference to practical examples; - to provide students with on-site experience of conducting an EIA and the various stages required for the procedure. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: a. List and describe the various stages of the Environmental Impact Assessment process; b. Distinguish between Environmental Impact Assessment and Strategic Environmental Assessment, and explain the function of both processes; c. Describe the process through which an organization's environmental policy is development and implemented; d. Explain the stages involved in the development and implementation of an Environmental Management System; e. Explain the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility. f. Understand the key issues related to EIA and EMS within a local context. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: a. Recognize and identify the different stages of the Environmental Impact Assessment procedure; b. Critically appraise the quality of Environmental Impact Assessment reports; c. Critically appraise the environmental management structures of private-sector organizations; d. Discuss the costs and benefits of environmental management systems for private-sector organizations. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: MAIN TEXTS: - Gilpin, A., 1994. Environmental Impact Assessment: Cutting Edge for the 21st Century. UK: Cambridge University Press. 1st Edition. ISBN: 978-052-142-967-2. - Morris, P. & Therivel, T., 2009. Methods of Environmental Impact Assessment (Natural and Built Environment Series). UK: Routledge. 3rd Edition. ISBN: 978-041-544-175-9. - Sadle, B., et al., 2010. Handbook of Strategic Environmental Assessment. UK: Earthscan Publications Ltd. 2011 Edition. ISBN: 978-041-544-175-9. - Sheldon, C. & Yoxon, M., 2006. Environmental Management Systems: A Step-by-Step Guide to Implementation and Maintenance. UK: Earthscan Publications Ltd. 3rd Edition. ISBN: 978-184-407-257-6. SUPPLEMENTARY READINGS: - Sroufe, R. & Sarkis, J., 2007. Strategic Sustainability: The State of the Art in Corporate Environmental Management Systems. Greenleaf Publishing. ISBN: 978-187-471-961-8. - Schaltegger, S., Burrit, R. & Petersen, H., 2003. An Introduction to Corporate Environmental Management. UK: Greenleaf Publishing. ISBN: 978-187-471-965-6. - Morris, R. & Therivel, R., 2009. Methods of Environmental Impact Assessment. UK: Routledge. ISBN: 978-041-544-175-9. - Glasson, J., 2006. Introduction to Environmental Impact Assessment. UK: Routledge. ISBN: 0-415-338-36-0. |
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| RULES/CONDITIONS | In TAKING THIS UNIT YOU CANNOT TAKE EMP3015 | ||||||||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture, Fieldwork and Seminar | ||||||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Elisabeth Conrad (Co-ord.) Belinda Gambin Anthony Stephen Micallef |
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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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