Why the change in environmental standards?

• Shareholders, regulators and community members expect better environmental outcomes from the industry and from new projects
• New legislation imposes added responsibilities on business and individuals to demonstrate adequate and appropriate environmental management.
• Liabilities for companies and individuals include environmental risks, and translate to higher insurances/premiums in the absence of demonstrably effective risk management systems
• These expectations and requirements are reflected in project approval conditions from the government, and translate to higher levels of environmental expectations on Contractors.

Client's expectations:

• Environmental expertise is now part of the Contractor selection process and Contractors are often required to provide evidence of environmental management procedures and other information in tenders.
• Contractors are required to demonstrate compliance with environmental requirements throughout the scope of work from award to de-mobilisation
• Personnel working for Contractors have to be competent in managing their environmental issues.
• Contractors are often expected to show "proactive" environmental initiatives.

Getting it right the first time will:

• Save costs on remediation work from non-compliances and incidents.
• Reduce your insurance premiums.
• Lift your company's profile amongst Client groups and help secure the next job.
• Promote positive environmental culture and behaviour in your work force.

Working within client and contractor teams, ecologia understands clients' requirements as well as contractors' constraints.

What do they want?

It is important to fully understand the Client’s expectations and what this will mean for the project. The scope of work should be assessed against:

• The natural environment;
• Legislation; and
• Client’s expected outcomes.

These affect the resources required and how activities should be managed.

Budget for it:

Often the project budget does not adequately consider the environmental resources that are necessary to meet Contract or Client’s requirements. An environmental budget that includes the following elements should be discussed prior to contract award:

• Environmental expertise at head office or on-site;
• Development and implementation of environmental procedures or EMP;
• Pollution prevention tools and equipment;
• Time required for training and toolbox sessions; and
• Rehabilitation requirements.

Do what you say:

Due diligence inspections and audits against contract requirements are often conducted by Clients. Commitments made by the Contractor should be adequate in meeting the Client’s expectations, but should not be unrealistic and result in instances of non-compliance.

Talk about it:

Expectations of the Client and the contractual commitments you have made should be clearly communicated to personnel doing the job. This is most effectively delivered as concise communications in a continual process throughout the project works.