Environmental Management
Environmental Aspects & Impacts Identification Form
Introduction
Environmental aspects and impacts relate to the ways that we interact with the environment.
To manage and improve our interactions with the environmental, we first must know what
our impacts are and where they come from. Environmental aspects are determined from
understanding the activities we undertake, the services we provide and how they impact on
the environment.
Element
Explanation
Environmental
Aspect
The work process as a whole. This may
incorporate a series of activities or tasks. (If there
are multiple activities under each operation, there is
no need to repeatedly list “Campus/Site” and
“Operation” – refer to example)
Activity
The individual work tasks and activities within the
operation. These may include “incidents or
accidents” that could occur or a very specific activity
or element of the operation.
Impact
What element of the environment the activity
impacts on (not necessarily generates).
Environmental elements are considered as one of
the following (explanation follows the heading):
Comments
UNSW Environmental
assessment
 Air (emits pollutants such gas, dust, etc.)
 Biodiversity (undertaking the activity results in
damage or death of flora or fauna)
 Community (the quality of life of staff, students,
neighbours, visitors and/or the greater community is
reduced (e.g. through noise or lighting), financial
implications, impact on cultural heritage, etc)
 Energy (Will increase consumption of energy)
 Natural Resources (Will impact on soils, taking
of resources, etc)
 Noise (Uncommon as this is normally generated
by the activity but the impact will be on Community
or Biodiversity)
 Waste (Generates wastes; liquids, solids, or gas
that must be disposed)
 Water (emits pollutants to water or as part of a
water stream)
Include any other detail believed relevant. This
may include control measures in place to minimise
the identified environmental impact, detailed
description of the location, etc.
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UNSW Personnel Contacts Details
Name
Position
Department/School/Centre
Email
Extension
Where do I get advice
If uncertain about whether an activity complies with obligations related to environmental law
contact the UNSW Legal Office or UNSW Sustainability.
Complete and return this form to sustainability@unsw.edu.au
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