Research to Practice A case study by Dr Su Wild-River Initially presented as a postdoctoral research discussion paper. Updated for www.wild-river.com.au
Overview A PhD that led to consultancy projects, an applied environmental risk assessment method, journal articles, a book plus chapters in others, trade mark, training courses, ANU awards, a 24% reduction in environmental risk at the ANU.
The PhD Inspired by policy liaison work that raised questions of whether new environmental protection laws had delivered beneficial practical outcomes, or just upset people.
Consultancy project 1: Brisbane City Council environmental benchmarking study Find out what environmental outcomes have been achieved in the first years of the Environmental Protection Act Quantify it Be on and off the site within half an hour 194 sites assessed over four weeks.
A risk assessment method Environmental protection laws approximate environmental risk minimisation How it works • Rating both inherent and residual risk • Semi-quantitative scale, calibrated using good communication.
Inherent and Residual Environmental Risk Inherent risk : the likelihood and consequences of environmental harm from the activity if there were no risk control measures in place. Residual risk: the likelihood and consequences of environmental harm occurring, taking account of risk control measures
Risk Management Matrix 1: minor chemical storage Likeli- Consequences hood 1 (negligible) 2 (minor) 3 ( severe ) 4 (major) 5 ( catastrophic ) A (certain) 8(M) 16 (M) 32 (H) 64 (VH) 128 (E) B2:8 B (likely) 4 (L) 8(M) 16 (M) 32 (H) 64 (VH) C (moderate) 2 (N) 4 (L) 8(M) 16 (M) 32 (H) D (unlikely) 1 (N) 2 (N) 4 (L) 8(M) 16 (M) E (rare) 0 (N) 1 (N) 2 (N) 4 (L) 8(M) E1:0
Log (Mean Risk) 4 1 , m e 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 t a l w r 5 k 2 s , t a n 1 n 2 e , r y o i l r e f / p 3 r 6 o , s u g m 3 i 8 l l , l a n d 6 d , e v c h e m m f 7 t 0 , r a i l 7 f , a c c h e 7 m 8 , s t c o h r e m / Queensland statewide environmental o i l 6 r e 5 c , s a w 3 m 2 , i l m l Figure 6: Risk Reduction by ERA e a t 8 p 5 , r o r c e g w 7 6 s t , r t e r t g w 7 s 4 t Consultancy project 2: , d g s e p n benchmarking study w s t d 1 s 9 p , e x t r ERA o 5 c 7 k , a s 1 p 1 h , a p l t e t r 4 o , l p s t o r u g l t r y f a r m 1 4 , S 2 T 2 , P a b s v b l s t a u t o r e 3 c , p i g f a r 8 m 3 , w s 6 t 0 t , f r c o n c b t c h 1 5 , W T P s 2 p 8 r , a m y t p r n v t c l w 2 k 4 s , h m p e t a l 2 3 c o , a b t l r m a k i n g 98 95 Potential
A generic environmental risk assessment method
Addressing common dilemmas: ongoing inspections Which activities need regular inspections? Which statutory authority should be responsible?
Addressing common dilemmas: compliance Non-compliance. When does an activity need to make Best-practice. What improvements and defines it and how what would they be? is it retained? Compliance. What is adequate and how do you target hazards for improvement?
Consultancy project 3: ANU environmental risk assessment • Originated through PARSA representation on EMPC
A pollution prevention method Assessing compliance Identifying priorities Tracking changes
Total environmental risk, ANU 2000 1800 1600 Total CERAM score 1400 Inherent 1200 Residual 1000 800 600 400 200 0 1998 1999 2001 2002 2003 2004 Soil Noise 900 900 800 800 700 700 CERAM score CERAM scroe 600 600 Soil - inherent 500 500 Soil - residual Noi se - i nher ent Noi se - r esi dual 400 400 300 300 200 200 100 100 0 0 1998 1999 2001 2002 2003 2004 1998 1999 2001 2002 2003 2004
An 8% reduction in environmental risk - ANU
Training technical officers Many wastes Two types of can go to drains leave sewage, but every building only rain to at the ANU the stormwater drains Sewage drains take Stormwater drains take waste for treatment rain straight to the creek
Improving compliance
Training course Certified assessors now at ANU, BCC, CSIRO, Queensland Government, Uni of Sydney, Queensland University of Technology
ANU Awards ANU environmental award Dean of Students Award University medal with
Trademarks – environmental risk assessment and risk management
Contract for a book – guide to environmental risk management Connections through earlier 500,000 publications to major publishing company 400,000 Refinement Opportunity to incorporate some earlier research 300,000 Investment ($) Primary production findings that have not yet 200,000 been widely published. Waste management 100,000 Servicing Manufacture 0 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 Environmental risk reduction (CERAM units)
Key lessons Great opportunities from engaging in real world problems • data sets – original and sensitive • funding opportunities – beyond the normal competitive programs Ask, listen and think • what do the practitioners need? • how will your academic integrity be protected? Support from The ANU - available and valuable • legal • financial • professional Your work can make a difference to the environment • and that’s a very rewarding experience Fear of faking it • affects many early career academics • Nothing obvious or easy, and never enough time. Not a path for the faint hearted
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