Posted: 2022 | Pages: 137 | Format: MS Word | Chapters: 1-5 | Others: Questionnaires & References

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ABSTRACT

This work is primarily concerned with an evaluation of the application of environmental management system (EMS) in risk reduction in selected industrial properties in Aba, Abia State. An attempt is made to identify the ways the operations of the industries pose environmental risks to the investor and how they can use the management system for the environments as defined in British standard BS 7750 to develop a check to such risks. This can be achieved through the following objectives: to determine the measures taken by the industries to reduce the amount of waste and to sic materials produced before it discharged into the environment etc. the data collection process commenced with a preliminary reconnaissance survey of the study area. Then, more systematic way of primary and secondary data collection was resorted to by the researcher. The concept of environmental management system(EMS) is being implemented in almost all the industries un Aba, nevertheless, it is not known with the name EMS. A discussion on the methods of EMS application was fostered on various undertaking and the role of the public and individual to encourage it. The issue of environmental risk in industrial properties can be placed at the lowest level if EMS is applied. Finally, the pollution caused by the industrial properties are responsible for the loss, in the use of the water for domestic purposes. Then, careful application of these would adequately remedy the problems associated with the environmental pollution abatement and also promote the safety of the environment where the industries are located.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

• BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

In the past decades, the Nation’s standard of living was measured using the gross national products (GNP) and per capital income of the households. However, the emergence of concerns for the environment has led to question whether this economic growth criteria, particularly in the industrialized countries has been ‘costless’ and whether there has been any windfall at all. There is an increasing belief that the growth in the GNP is, at least part, attributable to the cost imposed on the environment through the depletion of non-renewable natural resources and damage to the physical environment.

The concern for the environment came at the time when the developing countries are making arrangement to match on the paths of the industrializing developed countries of the world that rely on improved technologies for the economic growth. The timing is criteria for the issue of sustainable development is being raised precisely when this developing countries have an urgent need to increase their rate of economic growth more than any time in the past owing to increased population pressure, and need for employment. The question therefore will be. If the developing countries should not follow the path of the developing countries because of the environmental concerns, what should they do?

To foster an answer to this type of question, another question that arises is to what extent is the environment important to receive such a great attention? The generation of students now decision makers were taught that the environment is a free gift of nature which may not require much financial cost to keep it at a healthy state. This is the type of indoctrination that has led to the increased pollution of the natural environmental resources, over exploitation of the non-renewable resource of the environment and the promulgation of inadequate policies on protection and conservation of the environment.

The environment is a factor of production with its abundant economic resources and other non-market resources such as the sound of birds on the trees, the beautiful topography and good recreational facilities and fishing at the banks of the rivers. But the activities of man has resulted in damages to the natural earth surface apart from this, the Ozone layer is also being depleted with resultant effects in health hazards, global warning and distortions in the ecosystem.

The irony here is that the majority of the damages to the environment are lamed on the industries and on the environmental concerned investment whose activities are highly needed but the societies in which they operate. Also it is now widely recognized that the global warning caused by the “greenhouse gas” is in a large measure related to growth in industries and agriculture, especial in the developed countries. Perhaps half of this damages mostly by the burning of fossil fuels – coal, oil and natural gas and deforestation (Bhalla et al 1992, pp. 1-2).

The fact that it is mostly the activities of industries that support economic growth and employment that also causes environmental pollution throws the world into a dilemma. But it is unfortunately that the current debate on the environment, does not discuss the consequences for employment when fostering solutions penalizing what is now regarded as the “Good Samaritan Action”. The workable discussion should be on a sustainable development. That is what should be done to keep the industrial activities progressive and at the same vein maintain the qualities of the natural environmental?

To ensure sustainable development, the investors in real estate especially the waste producing ones should be able to identify the areas where they are likely to transgress the environmental protection policies and recognize it as a risk factor in the industrial property and subsequently develop a mechanism to avert such risks. This involves the use of the environmental management system (EMS) in risk reduction in industrial properties. This concept when developed and employed may result in cost saving and also help to keep the environment where the industrial property situates healthy.

The theory of “Zero Emission” which states that “an industry emits nothing other than the goods manufactured” (Rudd D.F et al 1970, p.3) as was proposed by experts should not be used by companies and industrial property investors because every productive activity being undertaken by man in this respect usually has a net degrading effect on the earth’s reserves of energy material and on man as well. They are therefore obliged to turn around and try to determine how our action no matter how good intentioned it is, can effect the environment where it is located and developed initiatives to control such effects.

It is against this background that the environmental impact assessment (EIA) and environmental impact statement (EIS) were promulgated as the determining criteria on the effects of any proposed action on the environment. It is discovered through research that the risk return profile of many types of investment media is now being influenced by environmental issues and property of courses is no exception. The responses of property industry to environmental change (RICS and SPR 1992), the impact of environmental issues on commercial properties South Bank University, 1992) the advocacy by Nigeria Institution of Estate Surveyors and valuers (NIESV) to incorporate Environmental Evaluation Report (EER) into valuation report, all demonstrate that importance that research into environmental matters is now assuming for property.

The environmental effects of a proposal action should be defined and evaluated bringing together all factors of the project in a form that allows a decision to be logically and rationally made. Negative externalities are exposed and attempts made to alleviate them through defining possible alternatives or creation of favourable trade-offs. The reason for all these processes to be observed before embarking on a venture is because a project that might seem timely, justified and beneficially at its initiation could result in an environmental havoc. This has been the case of a proposed coal gasification plant in New Mexico and a proposed southwest pant. In the light of environment consideration these projects have been discontinued (Cheremisinoff et at 1980, p.3).

This research therefore strongly supports those who suggest that the environmental development which have taken place over the last few decades now require the attention of investors and risk appraisals alike. However, it dominates investment decision-making processes, because quite frankly, they should not. The underlying theory here is that properties, and industrial type properties in particular, that are occupied by tenants who have developed or are in the process of developing Environmental Management System (EMS) carry less risks via-a-vis other properties which are occupied by tenants displaying low levels of environment awareness.

In the study area- Aba, the activities of manufacturing industries especially house performance have begun-to leave behind on the land and Aba River (Waterside) a trail of pollution and the river flow has transported the harmful externalities to other areas around River State and Bayelsa state. The effects of this act have been responsible for the loss of recreational facilities along the river side and loss in the use of the water for domestic purposes. Environment pollution, therefore, has been recognized as a problem since the efforts of the industries and authorities responsible for the environment have failed to create a trade – off between pollution and economic growth. It is feared that if the current trend in environment pollution and degradation is not checked, man’s excesses on the environment may alter it to endanger human existence on the earth surface.