There are numerous areas in which environmental consultants might work: • Contaminated land — assessments such as a
phase 1 environmental site assessment • Energy — feasibility studies and analysis 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 — activities such as
site investigations,
geotechnical engineering (foundation design, slope stability), and restoration
quality assurance. • Environmental management systems (EMS) — large complicated systems that are often not implemented using internal man/woman power. Standards such as
ISO 14001 define criteria for an EMS and provide assurance to company management, employees as well as external stakeholders that environmental impact is being measured and improved and there is compliance with any applicable legislation. Such 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 do their legal frameworks. In the UK, businesses are covered by numerous pieces of legislation such as oil storage regulations and the
Environment Act 1995. If they are found to be in breach of these regulations, they may face severe civil or criminal actions depending on the extent of the breach. Environmental consultants can perform compliance checks to determine if the business in question is compliant with the current regulations. • Impact assessment — see
environmental impact statement •
Flood risk •
Asbestos management •
Radon • 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. ==See also==