Tag: 3BL

Sometimes, you need an extra set of hands to get work done. But, what if you can’t add to your headcount? For numerous reasons, our clients find they can’t always hire the environmental, health, safety, and sustainability (EHS&S) professional they might need. Antea Group offers an easy EHS Staffing Solution for situations like this. This temporary staffing solution, also known as Resources-as-a-Service (RaaS), was introduced in 2020. What sets this solution apart is that it’s flexible, tailored to our client’s needs, and it meets the client where they are.

RaaS matches our clients with Antea Group personnel that have the technical skills and knowledge needed for many projects, while also ensuring they’re a good fit for the culture of the organization. With this solution, you can temporarily hire a variety of professionals, from entry-level to seasoned experts.

Flexibility is the key here. So, whether you need full-time assistance for a few months, just a few hours with an EHS professional a month, one individual, or a whole team, we work to ensure you have the right Antea Group employee(s) ready to go. Atir Chak, who has completed a RaaS assignment, shares his experience.

My name is Atir Chak. As a Senior Project Manager for Anti Group, I’ve managed multiple project portfolios, internal company initiatives and resources.

A few years ago, I was introduced to a RaaS opportunity with a petroleum client of ours that was looking for a program manager for their environmental liabilities related to their midstream and downstream assets, which included pipeline facilities, retail petroleum stations, bulk fuel plants, and refineries.

What did the day-to-day experience look like?

My day-to-day experience in the RaaS assignment for the petroleum client was primarily working closely with our client senior leadership and internal teams and the selected environmental consultant to manage strategy direction for the entire portfolio. Safety management was a big part of it, financial management, reserve forecasting, as well as any stakeholder, legal, contractual issues that would arise.

What did you enjoy most about the experience?

What I enjoy most about the RaaS experience is being on the client side of the organization was a very refreshing change in my career as opposed to the traditional consulting.

In addition, the direct interaction with various different departments of the client organization was definitely a plus, getting to see how they work internally and getting facetime with some of the leadership was definitely a growth experience and learning for me. Finally, I think the autonomy and freedom to focus in on the actual portfolio work with minimal administrative responsibilities was definitely a key to the enjoyable experience for me.

How do you think it benefited the client you worked for?

I think this Ras arrangement benefited the client in a number of ways. One was they had an immediate need for an experienced program manager, and you know they were able to fill that role with a knowledgeable, qualified professional with the skills and expertise that fit the role right away. It also eliminates the client’s HR responsibilities related to hiring, training, and getting somebody up to speed.

All in all, I think the RaaS arrangement benefited the client and Antea Group and myself in my professional career. So, I would say it’s a win, win for all.

Are you Considering a temporary EHS Staffing Solution?

As EHS&S consultants, our expertise lies in understanding your resource requirements and ensuring that the RaaS resources we recommend are tailored to your specific needs. Through our partnership with the Inogen Alliance, we have the capability to provide RaaS services either locally or globally, precisely where and when you require them. To learn more, contact us today!

Careers with Antea Group

RaaS positions not only address our clients’ staffing requirements but also offer valuable opportunities for Antea Group employees to enhance their skills and broaden their experiences. To hear other Antea Group employee testimonials about RaaS assignments, listen to Jill Hauck here and Michael Zhou here.

If you’re interested in pursuing a career in EHS&S and aspire to gain hands-on experience with Antea Group while potentially filling RaaS roles for diverse clients, explore our careers page for more information.

Providers of public utilities and services who secure high-quality drinking water or provide access to reliable energy sources have a direct link to the communities they serve. However, for many of these organizations, delivering these vital resources is more than just a business operation—it’s a commitment to ensuring the well-being of communities and preserving the surrounding environment. By making the region more attractive and sustaining the performance of local businesses, these companies play a crucial role in shaping the future of the areas they serve.

Organizations and companies operating in the environmental sector have a unique opportunity to engage with local communities and contribute to ecological preservation efforts. Community events and initiatives focused on environmental protection serve as platforms for these organizations to connect with residents, share knowledge and inspire sustainable practices.

Community engagement initiatives have traditionally been viewed by many companies as one-off events or passive activities, such as participating in an annual Earth Day cleanup or supporting a local non-profit organization. However, to truly drive meaningful and lasting impact, businesses must rethink their approach to community engagement and integrate it as a core part of their strategy and values for long-term growth.

In this blog post, we’ll explore ways to collaborate directly with your community so that your business can demonstrate its commitment through action, creating a positive ripple effect that extends far beyond individual initiatives. By actively engaging with and supporting your community, you not only contribute to its well-being but also foster a sense of trust and goodwill towards your business.

Elected officials, appointed leaders and volunteers provide a clear understanding of what a community needs. By taking the time to foster relationships with these leaders, you can ensure your company is a reliable and trustworthy partner in the community you serve. Here are a few ways to do this:

Building Strong Relationships with Community Leaders

Elected officials, appointed leaders and volunteers provide a clear understanding of what a community needs. By taking the time to foster relationships with these leaders, you can ensure your company is a reliable and trustworthy partner in the community you serve. Here are a few ways to do this:

1. Actively collaborate with community groups

Direct input from your community is invaluable. By taking the time to collaborate with diverse and representative local groups, you can ensure your business’ solutions are tailored to the specific needs and concerns of your community.

For example, tapping into the expertise of partner organizations helps you collaborate on a forward thinking strategy to support the community. They can provide proven success examples that demonstrate how they have benefited the surrounding community and share any challenges or pain points where your company could provide the additional support.

You can also seek opportunities to partner with a local non-profit to support their mission, like helping organize a community clean up event or nature walk, and use those opportunities to learn more about the communities you serve.

2. Be transparent

Transparent communication is key to maintaining a relationship with the public. Keep community members informed about projects, goals and potential impacts, fostering a clear understanding of your activities and benefits to the community. An easy way to do this is through maintaining an active relationship with local media—don’t save your communications strategy just for times of crisis, but instead provide regular updates and interviews to trusted reporters on a regular basis.

Consider Your Impact on the Environment

Recognizing the growing tension surrounding resource availability, companies that draw from the local environment should consider how their operations impact the area and actively seek opportunities to reuse or recycle resources. This strategy also helps to support the overall quality of life in a community, as it assures more resources are available to residents without disrupting the progress of your business.

1. Take only what you need

Whatever resources you require for your business, be sure to extract only what is strictly necessary, using proven methods and protecting the balance of ecosystems. Through these measures, you can minimize downstream impact, guaranteeing the availability of resources for future generations.

2. Embrace a circular economy model

By significantly extending the life span and usage value of extracted resources through recycling and waste recovery, you can lower your impact on the local environment.

3. Identify opportunities to support biodiversity

Assess areas where you could develop solutions to preserve local biodiversity. For example, you may have fields surrounding your facility that could support local wildflowers—by cultivating this area, you can create a space for local pollinators to thrive.

Resource the Next Generation

Community engagement strategies need to address immediate needs as well as consider the well-being of the community for future generations. This includes supporting education and workforce development in a community, so that the next generation can continue the work you started.

For example, creating internship opportunities with your company or programs that empower young students to explore careers in STEM can provide a closer look at what they could do for a career. Offering tours of your facilities for grade school students also opens the door to introduce students to your company and how they could pursue a career in the same field.

Finally, It’s important to provide consistent training and continued learning for professionals in your field. Developing workforce development programs helps strengthen the overall workforce while committing to the future of individuals looking to advance their skillsets.

At Henkel, water plays an important role along our value chain and we believe that conservation and stewardship is a key sustainability initiative. We use water as a part of our production processes and as an ingredient in our products, and naturally, many of our products require water during the use phase. For this reason, reducing water usage and maintaining water quality during the production and use of our products is important for us.

In celebration of Water Quality Month this August, read on for four ways that Henkel North America and our brands preserve and prioritize water and water quality.

1. Technological Improvements Save Water in Cannon Falls, MN

The Adhesive Technologies business unit’s production site in Cannon Falls, MN launched a cooling system that saves an estimated 4.7 million gallons of water per year. This project replaced individual chiller units – which require fresh water to pass through for use and be sent to the sanitary sewer – with a central, closed-loop circulating system of water and glycol mixture that meets the facility’s needs. Since the project’s completion, water and wastewater discharge from this facility has decreased by 95%, aligning with Henkel’s commitment to reduce natural resource and energy consumption and improve quality.

2. Water Reclamation Has Strong Quality Impact in Warren, MI

A water reclamation project at the Adhesive Technologies production facility in Warren, MI allows the integration of previously unused water from the region’s Reverse Osmosis filtration process into the plant’s water stream, while maintaining commitments to quality and meeting customer expectations. It allows for the capture and reuse of around 1.4 million gallons of usable rejected water from the treatment process per year, eliminating it from storm drains. The water necessary for Henkel’s production was previously drawn from municipal water sources, meaning that this project has resulted in a 40% reduction in water consumption per year. The design also digitalizes the connection of the new units to a central control system, allowing online monitoring of the energy consumption and water flows visible at various locations in the plant, contributing to the improvement of overall efficiency in the process.

3. Community Impact Projects Preserve North America’s Watersheds

Henkel believes that in addition to improving the quality and usage of water in our own production, it is important to contribute to the water quality and safety of the watersheds in the communities where we operate. For example, a group of over 400 employees participated in the ‘Suits on the Sand’ program at Dockweiler Beach in the Los Angeles area, in partnership with Heal the Bay, an organization that facilitates beach cleanups, educational programs, and more. The group picked up 329 pounds of trash in an effort to safeguard the local marine environment, preserve biodiversity, and raise awareness about the importance of environmental conservation. Henkel also made a donation of $10,000 to Heal the Bay to further aid in their mission of protecting the Los Angeles watershed.

4. Formulations Help Consumers Improve Water Quality at Home

We are committed to ensuring that our consumer products do not cause any microplastics to enter the environment. Microplastics are synthetic polymer microparticles (SPMs) that are solid, insoluble, and non-biodegradable, and that are five millimeters or smaller. These can enter rivers and oceans via wastewater and accumulate there permanently, which can have detrimental effects to water quality and safety. Several years ago, Henkel stopped using microbeads in cosmetics, detergents and cleaning products in an effort to preserve water quality on behalf of partners, customers, and consumers who use our products.

Water is a key resource for the planet, and it is important to recognize and act on changes to formulation, production, or community initiatives that can have a widespread impact on its quality, safety, and availability. Henkel is committed to continuing to seek ways to play a positive role along with our partners, customers, consumers, and local communities.

For further details on the above initiatives or Henkel’s Sustainability 2030+ Framework, please visit our Sustainability Reports from 2022 and 2023.

Originally published in Hershey’s 2023 ESG Report

Hershey believes passionately in supporting youth development to ensure that young people have the skills they need to succeed in all aspects of life.

We were proud to deepen our support for youth development programs through two social impact campaigns. Together with our nonprofit partners, we found new ways to create authentic and meaningful collaborations that allowed the talent and unique contributions of young people to shine through.

Empowering Young Women

Beyond our collaboration with Girl Up and Girls on the Run for the Future CEO program launch on International Women’s Day, we supported them by:

Sponsoring and showing up for Girls on the Run 5K races in five communities across the U.S.Providing 11 Hershey employees to serve as mentors for Girl Up’s first-ever alumnae mentorship program, an intensive three-month initiative

Celebrating Creativity

Hershey continued its partnership with Memphis Music Initiative (MMI), as part of KIT KAT®’s Black Music Month campaign. The campaign expanded its geographic focus to include partnerships with five additional creative youth development nonprofits in cities across the U.S.

The campaign:

Celebrated the next generation of Black creatives 105Connected participating organizations, staff and young people to build relationships and learn from one anotherConvened young people from each organization to join a national youth advisory council that met regularly with Hershey employees to advise on the campaign, packaging design and amplification strategyShared insights from Hershey employees on careers and how to plan and execute creative marketing campaigns

The participating organizations were:

Memphis Music Initiative of Memphis, TennesseeWe Are Culture Creators of Detroit, MichiganDC Strings of Washington, DCUrban Word of New York, New YorkThe Harmony Project of Los Angeles, CaliforniaTrombone Shorty Foundation of New Orleans, Louisiana

“The young people were deeply impacted… It’s hard to capture the singular experience of a young person seeing something they contributed to making in the public eye. For them to go into a store and find a product that was informed by their feedback and feature young people that look like them — is a powerful moment of representation.”

Kathy Lindenmayer, Director of Development,

Memphis Music Initiative

Read more

Cummins

by Tom Quimby, On-highway Journalist

Between the fine print and varying perspectives on the rule announced March 29, you may be seeking steadiness amid uncertainty. Cummins Inc. met the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) unprecedented ambition with a call to action for all of industry and all levels of government to work together. “This is an ambitious goal, and there will be challenges across our industry to reach it,” Cummins wrote. “However, Cummins is uniquely positioned to develop and manufacture a broad range of technologies that enable our customers to prosper, wherever they are along their energy transitions journey.” The following considerations may help a fleet chart a path to compliance with the stringent standards set by the new emissions rule.

1. Determine what your fleet must know about the Environmental Protection Agency’s heavy-duty Phase 3 emissions regulations. 

It’s best to get ahead of the curve in terms of knowing the avenues of compliance. EPA projects that one pathway for meeting the new standards would be for industry to aim for 34% ZEVs for day cab tractors and 25% for sleeper cabs in model year 2032. The stated goals include use of battery electric and fuel cell technologies. EPA also suggests other potential pathways for both day and sleeper cabs like hybrids, hydrogen combustion, or natural gas. Knowing which pathway is best for your fleet will make all the difference.

2. Get familiar with forms of emissions.

From carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane to fluorinated gases, the more familiar you are with emissions the better off you will be in terms of knowing how best to address each one and why. CO2 comprises nearly 80% of all greenhouse gases (GHGs), according to EPA. Nitrous oxide (N2O) makes up roughly 6 percent of GHGs and is blamed for posing health risks among communities exposed to heavy vehicle traffic, according to EPA. While methane makes up only a 12% share of GHGs, EPA considers it to be 28 times more potent in terms of trapping heat. Fleets can help reduce methane by using natural gas engines like Cummins new X15N. Renewable natural gas used in advanced engines like the X15N can produce near-zero emissions well-to-wheel.

3. Get more familiar with alternative fuels and powertrain options.

Cummins and its subsidiary Accelera have published several articles and videos that shed light on various fuels and technologies designed to lower or eliminate emissions. The company is hard at work around the world perfecting internal combustion powertrain designs, batteries, fuel cells and hydrogen production systems that can allow your fleet to reach emissions goals.

4. Know where to find alternative fuels.

The Department of Energy regularly updates its Alternative Fueling Station Locator map. To date, there are 73,850 charging stations across the U.S. and Canada. About 15% of those are DC fast-chargers which may not yet be suitable for Class 8 electric trucks. The Argonne National Laboratory notes that “a long-haul truck driver driving a Class 8 [electric] tractor would require a 1.6-megawatt charge to recover 400 miles of charge within a 30-minute break.” The higher-powered approach for medium- and heavy-duty electric trucks is known as the megawatt charging system (MCS). Chargers for Class 1 and 2 passenger EVs peak at around 500kW or roughly three times less. Truck-centric refueling corridors for electric and fast-fill hydrogen are being funded along major routes through the Inflation Reduction Act. Keep an eye on progress through the DOE’s interactive corridor map and the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation’s recently published National Zero-Emission Freight Corridor Strategy. Detailed information including maps lay out a nationwide plan for fueling the next generation of clean trucks.

5. Transitioning your work force.

Have fleet managers, drivers and technicians familiarize themselves with cleaner-running diesel, natural gas, hydrogen combustion, hybrids, battery electric and fuel cell trucks. One way to do this is to attend trade shows for opportunities to see these vehicles up close and experience valuable seat time in ‘ride and drive’ events. Cummins leaders are also accessible in sharing the ins and outs of clean, hard-working trucks which may offer a break in maintenance costs. Service methods and tooling will also change, leaving some fleets to opt for OEMs and others to handle servicing until they’re more comfortable in having their own technicians take on these high-tech rigs.

6. Calculate the cost.

The EPA estimates that fleets will “pay an average of $17,000 more in upfront costs for a MY 2032 day cab tractor ZEV than for a conventional, including the cost of electric vehicle charging infrastructure, but recoup these costs in 3 years or less through yearly operational savings.” Those costs are based on tax credits through the Inflation Reduction Act and an anticipated drop in production costs particularly for EV batteries. Total cost of ownership (TCO) for electric trucks can be trimmed if fleets rely on slower, overnight charging when utility rates are lower. Slower charging also prolongs battery life.

7. Work with utilities to understand infrastructure changes required for installing chargers at fleet sites.

Utilities, like fleets, are bracing for major changes in energy use and show eagerness to help. Several utilities including Southern California Edison and Duke Energy offer programs aimed at informing and assisting fleets in the transition to cleaner energy.

8. Be on the lookout for incentives.

Grants, tax credits and other offers will be offered to help make the switch to alt fuel trucks and vans. Look for opportunities at the federal, state and local levels.

9. Study vehicle lifecycle management and battery storage.

When EV batteries can no longer perform at peak efficiency for powertrain use, that does not mean that they are no longer useful. According to global management group McKinsey & Company, second-life use applications for used EV batteries are growing and “after remanufacturing, such batteries are still able to perform sufficiently to serve less-demanding applications, such as stationary energy-storage service.” Second-life use cases include grid resiliency, EV charging and facility backup power. These batteries get an even greener profile when charged through clean solar or hydrogen fuel cell generators. Following second-life use, batteries are candidates for recycling, an industry that’s projected to grow as more of these valuable batteries enter the market through EVs, hybrids and fuel-cells. Recycling methods used to recover battery elements like lithium, cobalt and nickel continue to improve and thus provide more value as EV manufacturing increases. Market research firm MarketsandMarkets expects a nearly 26% jump in value for the EV battery recycling market by 2031. Nonetheless, some fleets may prefer that OEMs or other entities take on battery lifecycle management.

10. Seek reliable resources.

In addition to utilizing experts like OEMs or Cummins, fleets can use many resources when sorting a given technology’s capability to measure up to needs. Trade publications and organizations closely study and assess commercial vehicle performance. Research groups report results of in-depth studies on emerging technologies such as the non-profit North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE). NACFE’s chart below offers a quick assessment of alt fuel vehicle capabilities. TRC Companies offers consulting services for businesses interested in adopting alt fuel vehicles. Its annual trade show, the Advanced Clean Transportation Expo, attracts OEMs and thousands of attendees including fleet executives who often share their experiences with alt fuel vehicles in various panels throughout the week-long event. Utilities are also gaining traction as subject matter experts. Southern California Edison offers a full line-up of EV guidance including its Funding Finder Tool and Electrification & Infrastructure Guidebook. Case studies are also available for review.

Originally published in American Airlines’ 2023 Sustainability Report

Reducing aviation’s contribution to climate change requires understanding all our industry’s impacts and identifying ways to address them. Condensation trails — or contrails — form when airplanes fly through layers of humidity, and they may account for approximately 35% of aviation’s global warming impact, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.4 Partnerships among the aviation, academic and technology communities have developed strategies aimed at predicting when a flight path is likely to cause a contrail and deploying an alternate path at a slightly lower altitude to avoid doing so. These contrail avoidance strategies, while still in the early stages of exploration, hold the promise of being among the most cost-effective and scalable climate solutions for the aviation industry in the near term.

How American is helping accelerate solutions

American is helping lead the way toward developing and testing contrail avoidance methods. In 2023, we participated in a first-of-its-kind study led by Google Research and Breakthrough Energy to help advance the science on contrail avoidance. The study tested whether we could identify atmospheric zones likely to create contrails and give pilots sufficiently accurate information to avoid creating those contrails. Our partners combined large datasets — including satellite imagery, weather and flight path data — with artificial intelligence (AI) to develop contrail forecast maps. A small group of American pilots then flew 70 flights over six months using the AI-based predictions to make small modifications to routes that were projected to create contrails.

The Potential

Relatively low-cost and high-impact climate interventionInitial models for predicting highest-severity contrails have shown high accuracyRerouting a small percentage of flights could avoid the majority of contrail warming

Actions Needed

Buy-in across airlines and the flight planning ecosystem for large-scale implementationCooperation of, and close coordination with, air traffic control authoritiesContinued research to understand the climate impacts of contrails and improve contrail avoidance methodologies and validation

The Challenges

Refining the science to reduce uncertainty related to the warming impact of contrailsContinuing to improve the models that forecast where highest-severity contrails are likely to be createdExpanding satellite coverage to observe and verify contrail formationQuantifying and effectively balancing the benefits of avoiding contrails with the impacts of increased fuel use as a result of avoidance maneuvers

The flights that used the AI predictions reduced contrail formation by 54%, as measured by distance, compared with flights where pilots did not use the predictions. While additional research is needed to determine if this success can be replicated and scaled, the results of this small-scale test provide an encouraging proof point of a promising climate solution.

54% reduction in contrail formation on American’s test flights — among the first real-world proof points that commercial flights can verifiably avoid contrails

Read more

4 See https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg3/downloads/report/IPCC_AR6_WGIII_Chapter10.pdf for more information.

From entry-level phlebotomist to Manager, Field Operations
18 years at Quest
Southwest Region – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Q: What did you initially want out of your career?
Blair: When I first started with Quest, I was looking for a stable job that I enjoyed doing. I worked in the restaurant industry and childcare prior to taking a role with Quest and while I loved those jobs, they weren’t something I saw myself doing long-term as a career.

Q: How has what you wanted changed over the years?
Blair: About a year into my career with Quest Diagnostics, I applied for and was selected for a role in Oklahoma and transferred to DLO. At that point my goal changed from just looking for stability, to showing the people here that took a chance on me that they made a great decision, and I would not disappoint them. After 5 years as a phlebotomist, I applied for and was selected for the Patient Services Trainer position. What I wanted in that role was to help others grow, into the best phlebotomist and teammate that they could be. When I moved into a Patient Services Supervisor position, I wanted many of the same things I did as a trainer. Helping people learn, grow and develop into great teammates has been a large focus across most of my career and is something I am very passionate about. Now that I am in the Manager role, that desire to help others grow is still there, it is just on a broader scale now.

Q: Did you ever take any risks with taking on a new role and were you encouraged to move into different roles or did you move on your own?
Blair: I have always looked for opportunities to grow. As a PSR, I volunteered for every event I could be a part of to help grow my knowledge of the company and gain experience. I applied for few roles along the way that I didn’t get, but looking back there was a reason. The reason was that I needed more time to master the role I was in, grow as a person and realize that my true desire was to stay in Patient Services long-term and one day become a People Leader. I have been encouraged along the way by many leaders within Quest and DLO to take every opportunity to grow and have been very appreciative of their encouragement and guidance over the years.

Q: What tools or offerings from Quest did you utilize to help you in your career progression? (tuition reimbursement, EMPower trainings, etc)
Blair: I have participated in tuition reimbursement programs to take leadership courses and work towards a degree. I have taken numerous EMpower courses to learn more about leadership and even things like how to use Excel more efficiently. Most recently, I have participated in the LQSM program to help further grow my leadership skills. This course was probably the most exciting one for me. I gained a wealth of knowledge from this course and not only am I growing as a People Leader from taking it, but I am also able to use the tools I have gained to help grow my Leadership team into stronger leaders.

Q: What advice would you give to someone who desires more from their current career?
Blair: I would encourage everyone to keep an open mind and always look for areas of opportunity to grow and improve. I would also encourage everyone that is interested in growing or doing more in their role to communicate that with their direct leader so they can work together to identify opportunities to achieve that growth. Many times, we assume that our leaders just know what our goals are, but it is up to us as individuals to make sure they do and ask for guidance on how to work towards those goals. The effort you put into your role and the ambition you have to grow is key to career progression.

Q: Which of our 5Cs do you connect with most, and why? (Customer First, Care, Collaboration, Continuous Improvement, Curiosity)
Blair: I would say that I connect with Continuous Improvement the most because I find that there is always an opportunity to improve. I constantly analyze the situations I face in my role and ask those that I work with if there is something they think I could have handled better or done differently to improve the outcome. This is something I work with my Leaders and their teams on as well. If there is an error with a patients encounter, blood draw, results, etc., it is our responsibility to investigate that error and find the root cause. Identifying the root cause allows us to train or retrain teammates so that we don’t make the same mistake again. What I ask for outside of identifying root cause is to look for other factors throughout the process that could have prevented the error from happening had we done something a bit differently. It is in that reflection that we truly grow and become better at serving our teammates, patients, and communities.

The shift towards renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, is a critical component of global efforts to combat climate change and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. However, as with any large-scale development, these projects can have significant environmental and social impacts that must be carefully evaluated and managed. This is where Environmental Impact Assessments come into play. 

This post covers what EIAs are, highlights the factors considered when conducting an EIA, and touches on a new innovation that is changing how biodiversity is monitored.

What Is an Environmental Impact Assessment?

An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a systematic process used to evaluate the potential environmental effects of proposed projects before they are constructed. These assessments are designed to provide a comprehensive picture of how a project might affect the surrounding environment and local communities, ensuring that potential adverse impacts are identified, mitigated, and managed effectively.

Developers of solar and wind power plants use EIAs to make informed decisions that balance the need for renewable energy with the imperative to protect and preserve the environment and local communities.

Why are Environmental Impact Assessments important?

Environmental Impact Assessments are essential for ensuring that corporate projects are developed responsibly and sustainably. They play a crucial role in protecting humans and the environment by identifying potential impacts on

Human conditions, including health and safetySocial and economic status such as loss of accommodation, land, crops, and income – especially within vulnerable groupsPlant and animal biodiversityLevels of pollution in the soil, water, and airAmbient noise and vibrationClimate-related issuesLandscapeCultural goods

Where impacts can’t be avoided, measurable offset strategies are identified.

For example, solar farms can lead to habitat loss for terrestrial species, while wind turbines may affect avian and bat populations. EIAs propose mitigation strategies such as habitat restoration and careful placement of turbines to minimize harm. Additionally, they help manage environmental risks like soil erosion and water contamination, ensuring that renewable energy projects do not inadvertently cause long-term ecological damage and that the ecological functions of ecosystems are maintained.

On the social front, EIAs safeguard community health and well-being by addressing the impacts of construction activities and operational noise and shadow flicker from wind farms. EIAs also set out land acquisition and resettlement frameworks to ensure affected lands, housing, and economic facilities are compensated and support is provided to affected groups due to resettlement and income disruption. Public engagement is integral to the EIA process, ensuring that local communities’ voices and concerns are heard and addressed.

EIAs benefit corporations as well. They ensure compliance with environmental regulations and enhance the socio-economic viability of renewable energy projects by preventing costly environmental damage and legal disputes.

Stages of the EIA Process

The EIA process typically involves several key components:

1. Scoping

Defining the scope of the assessment, including identifying key issues, sensitive receptors within area of influence (AOI), stakeholders, and the extent of baseline data collection and field surveys required to form the basis of impact assessment.

2. Baseline studies

Collecting data on the existing environmental conditions to establish a benchmark against which potential impacts can be measured. These studies include biodiversity baseline surveys, physical environmental baseline surveys, as well as socio-economic surveys for the project site and in the vicinity or area of influence (AOI).

3. Impact prediction

Predicting the likely environmental and socio-economic impacts of the proposed project based on baseline data and project details. These include potential impacts during construction and operation, as well as decommissioning of the project.

4. Mitigation planning

Developing strategies to avoid, minimize, or compensate for identified impacts, ensuring that the project adheres to environmental regulations and best practices.

5. Reporting and review

Documenting the findings of the EIA in a comprehensive report, which is then reviewed by regulatory authorities and stakeholders for approval and feedback.

6. Monitoring and management

Implementing ongoing monitoring and management plans to ensure that the project’s environmental and socio-economic impacts remain within acceptable limits throughout its lifecycle.

It is also important to note that, depending on geography, there will be pieces that are mandatory. For example, in Finland and in the EU the mandatory parts are the program which sets the scoping for the mandatory EIA report (where scoping could also come back in as the information might change through the process and surveys). Having a local consultant who understands local requirements is crucial in the success of this EIA process.

Innovation in biodiversity monitoring: eDNA

Developments in DNA technology are making an impact on the monitoring stage of an EIA. Environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis is a method that involves collecting genetic material from environmental samples, such as soil, water, or air, to detect the presence of various species within a given area. Currently this is mainly used when analyzing sea fauna. 

Unlike traditional biodiversity monitoring techniques, which often require direct observation or capturing of organisms, eDNA analysis allows for the identification of species through the genetic material they leave behind in their environment. This makes it a less invasive, more efficient, and potentially more comprehensive method for assessing biodiversity. By integrating eDNA analysis into the EIA process for solar and wind farms, developers can not only meet but exceed biodiversity reporting requirements.

Key Factors Evaluated in Environmental Impact Assessments

These are the environmental and social factors evaluated through the EIA process to ensure that solar and wind power projects are designed and implemented sustainably.

Land use

One of the primary considerations in an EIA is the impact on land use. This includes evaluating the suitability of the site for the proposed project and its potential effects on the existing land and future proposed developments set out in local and regional land use plans. Factors such as soil quality, topography, and current land uses (e.g., agriculture, forestry, or urban areas) are assessed to ensure minimal disruption. EIAs also assess the potential for soil erosion and implement strategies to prevent it, such as erosion control measures and soil stabilization techniques, maintaining soil functions such as groundwater replenishment through minimisations of surface sealing.

Water use 

Solar and wind projects can affect both the quantity and quality of local water resources. EIAs assess potential changes in water usage, including the impact on local water bodies and groundwater levels. For solar farms, water is often needed for cleaning panels, while wind farms may affect water runoff patterns. The EIA evaluates these factors to ensure sustainable water management practices are in place.

Biodiversity 

Protecting local biodiversity is a crucial aspect of EIAs. The assessment examines the potential impacts on local flora and fauna, including habitat disruption, species displacement, and mortality risks. The EIA identifies these risks and recommends mitigation measures, such as wildlife-friendly designs, technical solutions, or habitat restoration projects.

Air quality

The construction and operation of solar and wind power plants can influence local air quality. EIAs evaluate potential emissions from construction machinery, dust generation, and any operational emissions. Although renewable energy projects generally produce minimal air pollution compared to fossil fuel plants, it is essential to assess and mitigate any temporary impacts during construction phases.

Socio-economic impacts

The socio-economic effects of renewable energy projects are significant considerations in EIAs. These assessments look at how the project might affect local communities, including changes in employment opportunities, economic benefits, and potential disruptions. In some locations, renewable energy projects might affect cultural or heritage sites. EIAs assess potential impacts on these sites and recommend measures to preserve and protect them. This includes archaeological assessments and consultations with local communities and heritage organizations.

Landscape impact

Within the EIA process the impact of the renewable energy projects on the landscape is assessed as well. Wind power plants especially may change the view of the existing landscape due to their height. They often can be seen from a great distance, depending on the topography and current land use in the area. As this impact cannot be mitigated, some countries (such as Germany) require compensatory payments. With regards to solar plants, mitigation measures such as plantings to frame the developed site are established. As the plants grow they provide a livable curtain and prevent visual impacts to the surrounding landscape.

Climate change resilience

As renewable energy projects aim to combat climate change, it is also important to consider their resilience to climate impacts. EIAs evaluate how the project might withstand extreme weather events, temperature variations, and other climate-related challenges. Ensuring the project’s longevity and operational efficiency in a changing climate is a key focus.

Taking this broad view of possible impacts helps developers design projects that are not only sustainable and environmentally friendly but also socially responsible and beneficial to local communities.

A Global Partner for Wind and Solar Projects

Inogen Alliance members have helped renewable energy companies around the world through the process of conducting an environmental impact assessment. From helping develop a sustainable plan for a floating solar photovoltaic system in Singapore to assisting a wind farm in Greece apply to increase power output, Inogen Alliance has the knowledge and expertise to guide the most ambitious and innovative projects.

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EMERYVILLE, Calif., August, 27, 2024 /3BL/ – SCS Standards is pleased to announce that the established SCS-115 Certification Standard for Product Carbon Intensity and Reduction for Chemicals and Co-products has been expanded to include a new module to cover requirements pertaining to biofeedstock and recycled content and is now available for public review.

Introduced in April 2024, SCS-115 provides a methodology for third-party certification of the greenhouse gas intensity and reduction in carbon dioxide equivalents of a chemical material. The standard was designed to be modular, allowing for additional requirements specific to different decarbonization levers to be launched gradually. Draft SCS-115 Module B, the second of five planned modules, should be read in tandem with the core SCS-115 standard.

The public is welcome to comment on SCS-115 Module B, which covers biofeedstock and recycled content until September 27, 2024. To request a copy of the draft and submit comments, please reach out to standards@scsstandards.org, or please visit https://www.scsstandards.org/standards/certification-standard-product-carbon-intensity-and-reduction.

About SCS Standards

SCS Standards is a non-profit organization committed to the development of standards that advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Standards are developed in alignment with best practices and guidelines provided by internationally recognized bodies to ensure a robust, transparent and collaborative approach. SCS Standards is an affiliate of Scientific Certification Systems, Inc., and is its official affiliate standards development body.

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Every Covia facility is responsible for upholding high standards of safety, health, and security performance. Each year, Covia recognizes plants that display exemplary performance and dedication to its Safety First value. Several plants have gone at least 5 years without a lost time incident (LTI):

Roff, Oklahoma, USA – 38 YearsTuscaloosa, Alabama, USA – 38 YearsEmmett, Idaho, USA – 28 YearsHuntingburg, Indiana, USA – 24 YearsSan José, Veracruz, Mexico – 24 YearsHephzibah, Georgia, USA – 19 YearsTlaxcala, Tlaxcala, Mexico – 19 YearsElco, Illinois, USA – 9 YearsLugoff, South Carolina, USA – 9 YearsTroy Grove, Illinois, USA – 8 YearsMarston, North Carolina, USA – 8 YearsNSO, Ontario, Canada – 6 YearsPevely, Missouri, USA – 6 Years

For more information on how Covia recognizes its top performers, see page 40 of Covia’s 2023 ESG report.