Environmental auditing is a systematic process of evaluating the environmental performance and compliance of an organization, project, or activity. It can help identify and manage environmental risks, such as pollution, waste, energy use, natural resources, biodiversity, and climate change. But how can you identify environmental risks during an audit? Here are some tips to help you.
Before you start the audit, you need to understand the scope and objectives of the audit. What are the environmental aspects and impacts of the audited entity? What are the legal and voluntary requirements that apply to it? What are the expectations and concerns of the stakeholders? How will the audit results be used and communicated? These questions will help you define the criteria, methods, and tools for the audit.
Usually, the scope of an audit has to be agreed upon the auditing team. Make sure you scope out aspects that do not necessarily apply (whether spatially or temporarily) to the auditee's site or activities. A clear and precise scope always determines a smooth workflow. The auditee has to totally understand why you have outlined the scope, and what objectives you consider because accordingly, the auditee would assist you in the best manner to produce your audit report.
A preliminary assessment is a desk-based review of the available information and data on the audited entity. It can help you identify the potential environmental risks and opportunities, as well as the gaps and weaknesses in the environmental management system. You can use sources such as reports, records, policies, procedures, plans, permits, standards, guidelines, and best practices. You can also consult with internal and external experts, regulators, customers, suppliers, and other stakeholders.
A preliminary assessment helps laydown the foundation of your audit activities, whether it would involve field sites or online investigation/inspection. Spotting the general and obvious gaps shall determine where and how you would best dig for an environmental performance weakness and save time exploring the whole auditee's establishment searching for those gaps. So, an early desktop assessment contributes to your audit's general efficiency. You can urge the auditee to prepare a specific list of available information and documentation for preliminary review. In my experience, transparent entities usually share all their information through a virtual data room and require your signature on an NDA.
A site visit is an essential part of the audit, as it allows you to verify the information and data collected in the preliminary assessment, as well as to observe the actual environmental performance and compliance of the audited entity. To plan and prepare for the site visit, you need to select the audit team, define the audit schedule and agenda, prepare the audit checklist and questions, arrange the logistics and safety measures, and inform the auditee and stakeholders.
This is a crucial stage when you should focus on all aspects making your audit easier, even on the auditee. Set a kickoff meeting with the auditee and ask them if they have any queries, ask them whether it is allowed to use a camera, are some audited zones restricted, what health & safety risks are expected in some areas, are there drills? Also confirm all areas you intend to visit and personnel you need to interview. Validating the information you concluded from your preliminary assessment should be SMART and no one should drag your focus away from the planned agenda you have shared with the auditee.
During the site visit, you need to apply the audit criteria, methods, and tools to collect and analyze evidence of the environmental risks and impacts of the audited entity. You can use techniques such as interviews, inspections, observations, measurements, sampling, testing, and document review. You need to be objective, impartial, and professional, as well as respectful, courteous, and cooperative with the auditee and stakeholders. You also need to document your findings and observations, as well as any non-conformities or opportunities for improvement.
When visiting a site, observation skills is the main game; you should be able to recognize flaws and continuously ask yourself "What could go wrong here"? Findings from a site visit could be tied to evidence in documentation and interviews, make sure you address the root cause of an environmental or social risk. periodically check which areas of your checklist have not been covered. Remember not to intimidate the auditee, as they do have difficulties. Ask them to share their concerns and obstacles, this will lead them to clarify where shortcomings arise from.
After the site visit, you need to report and follow up on the audit results. You need to prepare a clear, concise, and accurate audit report that summarizes the audit objectives, scope, criteria, methods, and tools, as well as the audit findings, conclusions, and recommendations. You need to communicate the audit results to the auditee and stakeholders, as well as to solicit their feedback and comments. You also need to monitor and verify the implementation and effectiveness of any corrective or preventive actions or improvement plans.
Identifying environmental risks during an audit is not a one-time event, but a continuous process of improvement. By following these tips, you can conduct a more effective and efficient environmental audit that can help you enhance your environmental performance and compliance, as well as your reputation and competitiveness.
Always remember that the purpose of an environmental & social audit (or ultimately any audit) is to improve performance; not to compile negative findings. How you write your report says a lot about your experience, knowledge, and care. Whether the audit is internal or external, reveal all the reasons behind any gap, be clear on your conclusions, and if appropriate, propose solutions. When mentioning a gap, specify why it is a gap; refer to the law requirement, guideline, standard etc. Be open to criticism and feedback on your report, this doesn't mean you should reduce your scrutiny, but listen to the auditee to understand rather than defend your conclusions.