Importance Of Environmental Auditing

Introduction

Environmental auditing is a management tool that comprises of systematic, periodic, documented and objective process where a company, organisation or any other body of recognition is visited and the policies and legislation of that body is checked for compliance (Guest, 1999). Very often environmental audit is focused on matters that involve the natural environment and energy use. It looks at the impact that activities have on the natural environmental and tries to come up with ways that can decrease the impact on the environment. Environmental audit is done to come up with ways that may save nature for the present and future generation (EIGA, 2012). It is concerned with sustainable development and tries to limit the use of natural

Depending on the size and the location of the facility that needs auditing, the process may be longer or shorter than expected. It is company management that needs to make sure that everyone knows the scope of auditing, the protocol and process of auditing.

On-site audit

On-site auditing include understanding all internal controls where the auditor will get familiar with the staff (if it is an external auditor); get familiar with regulations, policies and other documentation that may be of benefit to auditing. External auditor will be introduced to the staff and all the processes will be explained. This is then followed by site inspections and finalizing audit plans (EIGA, 2012).

Auditing will then begin by collecting all auditing evidence such as asking questions, taking notes or photographs, collecting records and policies, checking

 Research- the auditing team may have to do a background check on the facility that needs to be audited. This research will help the team to get familiar with the facility and the people that work there. It will also help them to get familiar with policies and regulations of the company (EIGA, 2012).

 Questionnaires- open-ended questions may be formulated and used as part of communication channels.

 Checklists-usually developed before auditing as a reminder of activities that needs to be done. These activities are listed down and when they are completed, they get ticked off the list (EIGA, 2012).

 Photographs- will serve as a proof and may be used when compiling an environmental audit report (EIGA, 2012).

 Drill down Sampling- this is a technique that is used to get information from way back. It acquires information from way past the time (DEAT, 2004).

 Questioning- staff may be asked a few questions as part of the auditing process

(DEAT, 2004).

Positive and negative impacts of environmental audit in companies

Environmental audit can be seen as a tool that aims to correct any things that may be wrong or that may be done differently from what was initially intended. It can be used