Task 1
The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) is an Act of the Parliament of Australia that provides a framework for protection of the Australian environment, including its biodiversity and its natural and culturally significant places. Enacted on 17 July 2000, it established a range of processes to help protect and promote the recovery of threatened species and ecological communities, and preserve significant places from decline.
The EPBC Act established the use of Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Regulations, which have provided for the issuing of approvals and permits for a range of activities on Commonwealth land and land affecting the Commonwealth. Failure to comply with the Act can result in penalties including remediation of damage, court injunctions, and criminal and civil penalties.
The Act identifies seven matters of national environmental significance:
- World Heritage properties
- National heritage places including overseas places of historic significance -Wetlands of international importance (Ramsar wetlands) -Threatened species and ecological communities -Migratory species
- Commonwealth marine areas
- Nuclear actions (including uranium mining & building of nuclear waste repositories)
At a state level, the bulk of environmental protection issues are left to the responsibility of the state or territory. Each state in Australia has its own environmental protection legislation and corresponding agencies. Their jurisdiction is similar and covers point-source pollution, such as from industry or commercial activities, land/water use, and waste management. Most protected lands are managed by states and territories with state legislative acts creating different degrees and definitions of protected areas such as wilderness, national land and marine parks, state forests, and conservation areas. States also create regulation to limit and provide general protection from air, water, and sound pollution. At a local level, each city or regional council has responsibility over issues not covered by state or national legislation. This includes non-point source, or diffuse pollution, such as sediment pollution from construction sites.
Task 2
Question 5
1-Currently all emails from clients are printed and stored in physical files.
The staff has been using the printer in the wrong way.
2- Old toners are thrown in general rubbish.
The staff is throwing away the toner cartridge instead to recharge it.
Question 6
-The team work have to improve more the sustainability issues, for example:
-Create a Data base to keep the emails in the system, so they don’t need to print wasting paper.
-Return the cartridge for their stockholders, for them recharge the ink.
Recycle paper and plastic .
Question 7
Question 8
It was analyzed that there is much waste in company with several materials, therefore our goal is to reduce these wastes in up to 3 months.
Firstly we need to setting the targets and implementing improvement plans.
However, our organization will have greater ability to make sustainability improvements if everyone is involved in making improvements.
We should make a brainstorming meetings monthly dedicated to improvement opportunities, or installing a suggestions box or online forum to encourage employees to share their ideas.
Give lectures every two months related to sustainability so that employees have more environmental consciousness.
Create rules and procedures within the company with posters, such as:
• Use energy efficient light bulbs
• Turn off lights and equipment When not needed
• Purchase energy efficient office equipment
• Restrict the use of air conditioning
• Maintain consistent temperature of air conditioning When in use
• Avoid using personal heating and cooling equipment like small fans and heaters
• Switch to gas for hot water units
• Purchase 'green power' from