The purpose of this study is to revise the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry's (DWAF's)
current Integrated Environmental Management (IEM) procedure and to develop an
Environmental Management Framework (EMF), so as to ensure that the environment is
considered in a structured, formal manner at each decision-making stage of the projects
development business process.
The proposed EMF provides process diagrams that align the IBM principles, the environmental
assessment and management tools, and the engineering business process with the project life
cycle approach for DWAF's water sector functional areas. Key decision-making points are
introduced to the business process to ensure that all the specific requirements have been met
before continuing to the next engineering stage of the business life cycle. Auditing nodes were
identified within the life cycle approach and complement the decision-making points and
strengthen the evaluation of environmental compliance and performance. These process
diagrams is designed to prompt development planners and implementers to consider the
environment at all stages of the business life cycle and practice sound environmental
management.
The EMF is based on international best practice and follows the Deming model philosophy as
well as principles and elements of an environmental management system. The EMF must be an
integral part in the way the department conduct its business and not seen as an ad hoc function
and the duties of the environmental officer.
To conclude, the EMF is the building block and interim management plan for an appropriate
environmental management system in the future and the first step towards business excellence
for the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Geography and Environmental Studies))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:NWUBOLOKA1/oai:dspace.nwu.ac.za:10394/662 |
| Date | January 2004 |
| Creators | Du Plessis, Valerie |
| Publisher | North-West University |
| Source Sets | North-West University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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