Direct impacts are typically those directly associated with releases from site processes and company operations, and which are often controlled by regulatory requirements (e.g. those related to emissions, effluent, wastes).
Indirect impacts are those outside the company’s immediate operations. They might include: impacts associated with suppliers’ operations, or impacts associated with product use or disposal.
You may need to consider:
- controlled and uncontrolled emissions to atmosphere;
- controlled and uncontrolled discharges to water;
- solid and other wastes;
- contamination of land;
- use of land, water, fuels and energy, and other natural resources;
- noise, odour, dust, vibration and visual impact; and
- effects on specific parts of the environment and ecosystem.
Impacts arising, or likely to arise, as a consequence of:
- normal operating conditions;
- abnormal operating conditions;
- incidents, accidents and potential emergency situations; and
- past activities, current activities and planned activities.
‘Importance over time’ – remember that the environmental agenda evolves. New environmental issues should be anticipated if companies are to understand the significance of the environmental aspects and impacts of their activities, and those of their suppliers and their products. Companies need to recognise the implications as scientific findings emerge and government policy develops (for example, it would have been unwise to move into CFC manufacture when production of CFC was due to be banned).
(See environmental management systems, recognition of impacts.)