Report on Clause 6 of ISO 14001:2015 - Planning

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ISO 14001:2015 is an international standard that provides guidelines for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and improving an Environmental Management System (EMS). Clause 6 of the standard focuses on planning, which is essential for identifying environmental aspects, determining compliance obligations, setting objectives, and planning actions to address risks and opportunities. Effective planning ensures that an organization’s EMS is proactive rather than reactive, helping to achieve its environmental goals.

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?Clause 6: Planning        

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Clause 6 of ISO 14001:2015 consists of three sub-clauses:

1. Actions to address risks and opportunities (6.1)

2. Environmental objectives and planning to achieve them (6.2)

3. Planning of changes (6.3)

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?6.1 Actions to Address Risks and Opportunities

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The organization must establish processes to:

- Identify risks and opportunities related to its environmental aspects, compliance obligations, and other issues or requirements.

- Plan actions to address these risks and opportunities.

- Integrate and implement these actions into its EMS processes.

- Evaluate the effectiveness of these actions.

??6.1.1 General

?The organization should consider:

- Significant environmental aspects.

- Compliance obligations.

- Other issues and requirements that can affect the EMS.

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?Example in a Mine Context

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For a mining company, the risks and opportunities might include:

- Environmental Aspects: Identifying significant environmental aspects such as air emissions, water usage, waste generation, and habitat disruption. For instance, dust from mining operations may pose a risk to local air quality, while water management could be an opportunity for efficiency improvements.

- Compliance Obligations: Understanding and addressing legal requirements, such as local regulations on waste disposal or water discharge limits.

- Opportunities: Identifying opportunities for improvement, such as implementing new technologies to reduce emissions or recycling waste materials.

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The company would then plan actions to mitigate the identified risks, such as installing dust control systems, and capitalize on opportunities, such as enhancing water recycling processes.

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?6.1.2 Environmental Aspects        

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The organization must:

- Identify environmental aspects related to its activities, products, and services that it can control or influence.

- Determine which of these aspects have or can have significant environmental impacts.

??Example in a Mine Context

?A mining company might identify environmental aspects such as:

- Land Disturbance: The physical alteration of land during excavation.

- Water Use: The extraction of water for processing minerals.

- Air Emissions: The release of particulate matter during blasting.

?The company would evaluate these aspects based on criteria such as scale, frequency, and impact, determining that water use and air emissions are significant aspects requiring focused management.

??6.1.3 Compliance Obligations        

?The organization must:

- Identify and have access to the compliance obligations related to its environmental aspects.

- Determine how these compliance obligations apply to the organization.

- Take these obligations into account when establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving its EMS.

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?Example in a Mine Context

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A mining company’s compliance obligations might include:

- Regulatory Requirements: Local and national regulations on waste management, water usage, and air emissions.

- Permits: Specific conditions outlined in environmental permits, such as maximum allowable discharge limits for effluents.

- Voluntary Commitments: Adherence to industry standards or sustainability initiatives.

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The company would ensure that these obligations are integrated into its EMS, guiding operational decisions and environmental performance monitoring.

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?6.1.4 Planning Action        

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The organization must plan:

- To take actions to address its significant environmental aspects, compliance obligations, and risks and opportunities.

- To integrate and implement the actions into its EMS processes.

- To evaluate the effectiveness of these actions.

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?Example in a Mine Context

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A mining company might plan actions such as:

- Dust Control Measures: Implementing water sprays and vegetation cover to reduce dust emissions.

- Water Management: Installing a water recycling system to minimize freshwater consumption.

- Waste Reduction: Developing a waste management plan to reduce and recycle waste generated from mining activities.

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These actions would be integrated into the company’s operational processes, with regular evaluations to ensure they are effective in reducing environmental impacts.

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?6.2 Environmental Objectives and Planning to Achieve Them        

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The organization must establish environmental objectives at relevant functions and levels. These objectives must be:

- Consistent with the environmental policy.

- Measurable (if practicable).

- Monitored.

- Communicated.

- Updated as appropriate.

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When planning how to achieve its environmental objectives, the organization must determine:

- What will be done.

- What resources will be required.

- Who will be responsible.

- When it will be completed.

- How the results will be evaluated.

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?Example in a Mine Context

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A mining company might set the following environmental objectives:

- Reduce Water Consumption by 20%: The company could plan to achieve this by installing water-efficient technologies and recycling systems, assigning responsibility to the environmental manager, and setting a target completion date within three years.

- Lower Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 15%: By upgrading equipment and optimizing energy use, the company aims to achieve this reduction, with progress monitored quarterly and results reported annually.

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?6.3 Planning of Changes        

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When the organization determines the need for changes to the EMS, these changes must be carried out in a planned manner, considering:

- The purpose of the changes and their potential consequences.

- The integrity of the EMS.

- The availability of resources.

- The allocation or reallocation of responsibilities and authorities.

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?Example in a Mine Context

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If a mining company plans to expand its operations to a new site, it would:

- Assess Environmental Impacts: Evaluate how the expansion could affect local ecosystems, water sources, and air quality.

- Plan for Resource Allocation: Ensure that resources are available to manage new environmental aspects and comply with additional regulatory requirements.

- Adjust Roles and Responsibilities: Reassign tasks and responsibilities within the EMS to accommodate the changes, ensuring continuous compliance and environmental protection.

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?Conclusion

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Clause 6 of ISO 14001:2015 is critical for the proactive planning and management of an organization’s environmental responsibilities. By addressing risks and opportunities, setting clear environmental objectives, and planning for changes, organizations like mining companies can ensure that their Environmental Management System is both effective and aligned with their strategic goals. This approach not only supports compliance with regulatory requirements but also promotes sustainability and continuous improvement in environmental performance.