EMS Study module 2 – Environmental quality indicators
Diploma of Environmental Monitoring & Technology
Study module 2
Environmental quality indicators
Environmental management systems
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Introduction
International aims and objectives
National environmental quality standards
Water
Air
Soils/Land
Biodiversity
State & territory implementations
Water
Air
Soils/Land
Biodiversity (DSEWPC, Australia's Biodiversity Conservation Strategy, 2010)
The role of Local Governments
Water
Air
Soils/Land
Biodiversity
Industry bodies
Water
Air
Soils/Land
Biodiversity
Key documents for technicians
Water
Land
Air
Other
Waste
State of Environment Reports
Assessment task
Assessment & submission rules
References & Resources
Introduction
Believe it or not, this resource is about Environmental Management Plans, and although we are not there yet, we are getting there. So what do EMP’s do? They help us manage the protection of the environment. Protection from what exactly?Protection from human activities such as environmental degradation and chemical pollution.
This section attempts to paint the picture of environmental benchmarks (called quality indicators) as they apply to environmental planning and protection (mainly the latter). The answer to the question being asked here is quite complex, but to what ‘level’ do we protect the environment?
If we need to protect the environment, we need to define ‘protect’, and we define protection by providing quality benchmarks. Could we say “to protect the environment, we cannot have any detectable levels of arsenic in our waters”? No, because arsenic is a naturally occurring substance and as such it is fairly reasonable to expect some arsenic in some waters.
So environmental quality indicators have been developed (by many bodies) to provide a guide as to what are safe levels of degradation are. In other words, they are levels (or statements) that provide a benchmark to meet. These are often just guidelines, but sometimes enforceable mechanisms such as licences refer to these guidelines if no other information is available.
International aims and objectives
If we are working to protect Australia’s environmental quality, why would we be concerned about the international stage? It’s a fair question, but in reality, our polluted water ends up in the ocean, and our polluted air ends up in the atmosphere, and the ocean and the atmosphere belong to the world, not just Australia.
The two most prominent aspects of the environment that are ‘governed’ by international protocols are ozone and greenhouse gases. Our commitments to ozone fall under the Montreal Protocol, and our greenhouse gas commitments are guided by the ratification of the Kyoto Protocol.
National environmental quality standards
Water
No other substance has greater importance to the quality of life than that of water, and his is possibly the most complex area for environmental quality standards, guidelines, qualities and indicators. The problem is that ‘water ain’t water’, meaning that there are many different types of water.
In Australia, we now have a very well structured national approach to water management (for all water types), which is currently administered through the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population & Communities, which is currently available online at
Remember that Government Departments change their name on a regular basis.
The national approach consists of four major parts: the strategy, the policy, the process and the guidelines, all of which is explained below.
The National Water Quality Management Strategy
From their website;
“The National Water Quality Management Strategy (NWQMS) is a joint national approach to improving water quality in Australian and New Zealand waterways. It was originally endorsed by two Ministerial Councils - the former Agriculture and Resources Management Council of Australia and New Zealand (ARMCANZ) and the former Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council (ANZECC).”
This is part of the national sustainability objectives as the strategy aims to protect and improving water quality but without causing undue harm to businesses, industry, environment and communities that depend on water for their continued development.
Evidence of this massive undertaking (from social and political point of views) can be found with the Murray Darling Basin Plan (details at The NWQMS is now being coordinated by new people, the Standing Council on Environment and Water (SCEW) and the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).
Understand that the scope of this strategy is massive, and covers almost all of the types of water available, but not all of it may be relevant to the environmental technician.
Air
National quality standards for air were developed in 1998 by the National Environmental Protection Council (NEPC) under the National Environmental Protection Measure for Ambient Air Quality (Air NEPM).
The Air NEPM sets national standards for the six key air pollutants to which most Australians are exposed: carbon monoxide, ozone, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, lead and particles. Under the Air NEPM, all Australians have the same level of air quality protection.
The standards set out under this measure are legally binding for each tier of government and were originally designed to be met by 2008, with formal reporting starting in 2002. The following table states the standard values.
Pollutant / Averaging Period / Maximum Concentration / 10 Year goalCarbon Monoxide / 8 hours / 9.0 ppm / 1 day a year
Nitrogen Dioxide / 1 hour / 0.12 ppm / 1 day a year
1 year / 0.03 ppm / none
Oxidants / 1 hour / 0.10 ppm / 1 day a year
4 hours / 0.08 ppm / 1 day a year
Sulfur Dioxide / 1 hour / 0.20 ppm / 1 day a year
1 day / 0.08 ppm / 1 day a year
1 year / 0.02 ppm / none
Lead / 1 year / 0.50 g/m3 / none
Particles as PM10 / 1 day / 50 g/m3 / 5 day a year
Particles as PM2.5 / 1 day / 25 g/m3 / Under study
1 year / 8 g/m3
Table 2.1 – National ambient air quality standards showing the averaging period, the maximum concentration for that period, and the 10 year goal to have been met in 2008. PPM is ‘parts per million’. From Air NEPM.
Note that in Australia, we do not have source emission standards at the national level. These values are determined by State & Territory environmental licences on a site by site basis.
Soils/Land
Currently there are no environmental quality standards goals or objectives covering soils or land in Australia at the National level. The Australian State of the Environment Report in 2011 had this to say;
“The effectiveness of our management of the land environment varies with land use and the nature of the pressures on the land environment. Because of the nature of widespread landscape-scale pressures and resource constraints, it is often difficult to manage more extensive land uses and pressures as effectively as we would wish. As a consequence, management outcomes for many forms of land use and in response to many pressures are trending downward.”
Ultimately, this does not bode well for Australia’ soil and land resources, so change will occur, but at this stage, there is little information on standards about this topic.
Biodiversity
Biodiversity, or biological diversity, is the variety of all life forms. There are three levels of biodiversity:
Genetic diversity
The variety of genetic information contained in individual plants, animals and micro-organisms.
Species diversity
This is the variety of individual species within an ecosystem.
Ecosystem diversity
This is the variety of habitats, ecological communities and ecological processes within a geographical area.
Biodiversity occurs in terrestrial, aquatic and marine environments. Biodiversity is constantly changing, and it can be increased by genetic change and evolutionary processes, and it can be reduced by threats which lead to population decline and extinction. Biodiversity in Australia is currently declining because of the impacts of a range of threats.
Conserving biodiversity is an essential part of safeguarding the biological life support systems on Earth. All living creatures, including humans, depend on these life support systems for the necessities of life.
Measuring biodiversity (or any specific aspect of it) is very difficult to understand conceptually as we don’t use numerical values on a species level, for example we would not say that we cannot have less than 5000 Koala’s in the wild. So how do we set quality goals for biodiversity?
The national objectives that we do have are stated under Australia’s Biodiversity Conservation Strategy 2010-2030. This strategy aims to provide a guiding framework for biodiversity conservation over the coming decades for all sectors - government, business and the community. The Strategy sets out priorities which will direct our efforts to achieve healthy and resilient biodiversity and provide us with a basis for living sustainably.
The Priorities for action section identifies three national priorities for action to help stop the decline in Australia's biodiversity. These priorities for action are:
◗Engaging all Australians in biodiversity conservation through:
- mainstreaming biodiversity
- increasing Indigenous engagement
- enhancing strategic investments and partnerships.
◗Building ecosystem resilience in a changing climate by:
- protecting diversity
- maintaining and re-establishing ecosystem functions
- reducing threats to biodiversity.
◗Getting measurable results through:
- improving and sharing knowledge
- delivering conservation initiatives efficiently
- implementing robust national monitoring, reporting and evaluation.
The strategy yields ten national targets which are as follows;
◗By 2015, achieve a 25% increase in the number of Australians and public and private organisations who participate in biodiversity conservation activities.
◗By 2015, achieve a 25% increase in employment and participation of Indigenous peoples in biodiversity conservation.
◗By 2015, achieve a doubling of the value of complementary markets for ecosystem services.
◗By 2015, achieve a national increase of 600,000 km2 of native habitat managed primarily for biodiversity conservation across terrestrial, aquatic and marine environments.
◗By 2015, 1,000 km2 of fragmented landscapes and aquatic systems are being restored to improve ecological connectivity.
◗By 2015, four collaborative continental-scale linkages are established and managed to improve ecological connectivity.
◗By 2015, reduce by at least 10% the impacts of invasive species on threatened species and ecological communities in terrestrial, aquatic and marine environments.
◗By 2015, nationally agreed science and knowledge priorities for biodiversity conservation are guiding research activities.
◗By 2015, all jurisdictions will review relevant legislation, policies and programs to maximise alignment with Australia's Biodiversity Conservation Strategy.
◗By 2015, establish a national long-term biodiversity monitoring and reporting system.
State & territory implementations
Water
Most state governments have some aspect of government that monitors water quality. In NSW it is monitored through Several departments, and licenced through at least two, the EPA (Dept. of Environment & Heritage) and the Department of Mineral Resources.
Further to these implementations, there is intergovernmental compliance, such as with drinking water quality.
Air
Ambient air standards are the same as under the NEPM and are usually monitored through the states EPA.
Soils/Land
There are commitments under the contaminated lands NEPM that State and Territory Governments need to comply with, but generally soil and land issues are devolved under several state departments and legislative instruments.
Many sections at the state/territory level of government deal with soil and land quality. Contaminated land is dealt with the EPA and everything else is controlled by planning instruments as well as departments dealing with mining and agriculture, but it is only the soil and land issues relating to environmental planning and operations that the technician is concerned with.
For example, in NSW, contaminated lands are EPA controlled under…
Biodiversity (DSEWPC, Australia's Biodiversity Conservation Strategy, 2010)
Australian Capital Territory
The ACT Department of the Environment, Climate Change Energy and Water has in place various programs to help preserve the environment. The ACT Nature Conservation Strategy was introduced in December 1997 to protect biological diversity and maintain ecological processes and systems. The ACT Weeds Strategy 2009-2019 aims to reduce the impact of weeds on the environment, the economy, human health and amenity.
New South Wales
The Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water (DECCW) and the Department of Industry and Investment released A new Biodiversity Strategy for NSW: Discussion Paper for public comment in November 2008. The NSW Government anticipates a draft NSW Biodiversity Strategy will be released in 2010.
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory Government is currently developing a biodiversity conservation strategy that will be released for public comment. The strategy will recognise that the Territory's biodiversity and natural environments are of international significance, but are not sufficiently valued. See
During 2010 the Territory Government will be developing new native vegetation legislation in consultation with the community. See . This legislation will break new ground, including caps on total clearing and it will ensure that climate change impacts are addressed in land clearing decisions.
The Northern Territory Parks and Conservation Framework is being developed by the Northern Territory Government, through the Department of Natural Resources, Environment, The Arts and Sport. The 2005 draft Masterplan provides future directions for the conservation of Northern Territory's biodiversity (plants and animals), and for the continued development of their parks and reserves over the next 15 years.
Queensland
For information on Queensland Government biodiversity conservation initiatives visit The Queensland government is undergoing significant changes to their departments and websites at the time of writing this resource, so we have to wait.
South Australia
On 10 July 2007 the South Australian Government released No Species Loss-A Nature Conservation Strategy for South Australia 2007-2017. No Species Loss is the first state wide nature conservation strategy for South Australia. As its name suggests, the aim of the No Species Loss Strategy is to lose no more species in South Australia, whether they be on land, in rivers, creeks, lakes and estuaries or the sea. The primary responsibility for the conservation of biodiversity in South Australia rests with the Department for Environment and Heritage.
Tasmania
Tasmania's Nature Conservation Strategy 2002-2006 and Threatened Species Strategy 2000 are important whole-of-government documents that complements several other Government initiatives, including Tasmania Together, the State of Environment Report and the Natural Resource Management Framework.
The framework for managing the protection of threatened species in Tasmania has recently been reviewed by the Tasmanian Auditor-General (Auditor-General Special Report no. 78, Management of Threatened Species, March 2009). The report includes 19 recommendations, which have since informed priority actions for threatened species and biodiversity management in general.
The Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment is responsible for important aspects of managing Tasmania's natural environment.
Victoria
The Department of Sustainability and the Environment (DSE) has released Victoria's Biodiversity Strategy 2010-2015: Consultation Draft Biodiversity is Everybody's Business for public consultation. DSE is responsible for the conservation and sustainable use of Victoria's natural environment, biological diversity and cultural heritage.
The Biodiversity Strategy of Goulburn-Broken Catchment Management Authority, which will run from 2010 and 2015, is intended to provide a regional perspective for implementing state and national strategies, including the Victorian Biodiversity Strategy and the Australian Biodiversity Conservation Strategy. For more information visit:
Western Australia
The A 100-year Biodiversity Conservation Strategy for Western Australia: Blueprint to the Bicentenary in 2020 (draft) recognises the need to act now to prevent further biodiversity decline and accelerate our recovery efforts. It provides a framework to guide action for biodiversity conservation in Western Australia for the next 100 years.
The role of Local Governments
Local government play an important role in the protection of their locale via many interesting applications of law and initiatives such as Government and private industry grants.
Water
Both planning and protection are considered under Local Government jurisdiction, just at a more operational level. For example, local councils may monitor water bodies for bacterial pollution from sewer overflows. (i.e. Lake Macquarie City Council) so that exceedances can be dealt with through the local areas Water Authority (which can be the Council or an Authority).
Air
Air pollution is monitored under various By-Laws such as with controlling incineration, or backyard burning of garden waste, as well as through controlling the use of indoor fireplaces. These are usually legislated through State environmental protection laws (such as the PoEO Act 1997 in NSW).
Soils/Land
Erosion control is the only significant soil or land-issue that Council’s deal with unless they are involved with the Federal Government through a grants scheme in biodiversity assessments or similar studies.
Biodiversity
Local Governments work with biodiversity assessment through initiatives run via government grants.
Industry bodies
All aspects of the environment have organisations that provide information services at a variety of different levels from governance to peer support. These organisations or bodies are an essential part of an industries performance as they provide a platform for communication, and often work as lobby groups for their industry when dealing with government at any level. This section provides summary information about these bodies.
Water
The water industry is huge, and as mentioned earlier covers a wide variety of water ‘types’, as such there are many industry bodies associated with water, some of which are listed below;
◗Australian Water Association
◗Water Australia
◗CSIRO Water Division
Air
Air quality is a more specialised sector of the environment, with a deep history of engineering association. The sector can be broken up into two braid areas;
◗Ambient air