IEMA Associate Certificate in Environmental Management Syllabus

Module 1: Environmental Sustainability

Candidates will be able to understand the issues, science and philosophy that underpin environmental sustainability to a level that enables a general presentation to be made.

Key Learning Objectives

After completion of this section a candidate should be able to:

• Appreciate how global and local environmental issues evolve, and identify why and how they can be incorporated into the management of an organisation.
• Understand in general terms the impacts of societal activities on the earth's natural systems.
• Outline practical ways in which an organisation can reduce its impacts, both strategically and operationally.
• Inter-relationships of the environmental, economic, social and ethical aspects of sustainability.

1.1 Earths Natural Systems
1.2 Business and environment
1.3 Effects of releases
1.4 Towards sustainability

Module 2: Environmental Legislation

A candidate will be able to identify relevant legislation for an organisation and take initial steps towards ensuring compliance.

Key Learning Objectives

After completion of this section a candidate should be able to:

• Understand in general terms the structure of the regulatory process.
• Determine the key environmental legislation, agreements and initiatives relating to an organisation and their relevance to operations.
• Instigate management controls to ensure that operations do not pollute and compliance is maintained.

2.1 Instruments for change
2.2 Controls on emissions to the atmosphere
2.3 Controls on the management of contained waste
2.4 Controls on discharges to the water environment
2.5 Issues relating to contaminated land
2.6 Nuisance
2.7 Producer responsibility
2.8 Other relevant legislation

Module 3: Assessment, Interpretation & Management of Environment Performance

A candidate will be able to understand the role of various analytical and managerial tools and the assessment, interpretation and management of environmental performance.

Key Learning Objectives

After completion of this section a candidate should be able to:

Design and implement processes for the assessment, interpretation and management of environmental performance.

3.1 Identification and assessment of environmental impacts
3.2 Environmental Management Systems (EMS)
3.3 Monitoring
3.4 Environmental audit
3.5 Life Cycle Analysis
3.6 Environmental Impact Assessment
3.7 Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)
3.8 Environmental Risk Assessment
3.9 Pollution Prevention and Control