An environmental aspect is an element of an activity, product or service that interacts, or can interact, with the environment. An environmental impact is the change that can result. Describing them separately makes it easier to understand causes and select controls.
Separate the activity, aspect and impact
Consider diesel used by a delivery vehicle. Operating the vehicle is the activity. Fuel use and exhaust emissions are environmental aspects. Resource consumption and contributions to air pollution or climate change are possible impacts.
One activity can have several aspects, and one aspect can affect several environmental systems. The relationship is not always a single straight line.
| Activity | Example aspect | Potential impact | Suggested control |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washing equipment | Water abstraction or supply demand | Pressure on local water resources | Leak checks and process optimisation |
| Storing liquid chemicals | Potential release to a drain | Deterioration of water quality | Suitable containment and drainage protection |
| Cutting materials | Generation of offcuts | Resource depletion and waste treatment burdens | Cutting plans and material reuse |
These are educational examples. Suitability depends on the materials, site and receiving environment.
Trace the pathway and receptor
Ask how the aspect could lead to a change. A leaking container may release liquid to a hardstanding, then to a surface-water drain, then to a stream. The drain is a pathway; the stream and its ecology are receptors.
A nearby drain connected to a treatment system may behave differently from one discharging directly to a watercourse. Check the actual route rather than assuming the name on a drawing is accurate. Use the aspect-to-impact mapper to organise an initial example.
Consider operating conditions
Normal production, cleaning, shutdown, maintenance and emergencies can produce different interactions. A tank that is well controlled during routine use may present a different risk during transfer or repair.
Consider planned changes before they occur. New materials, altered production volumes and changes in contractors can affect the original assessment.
Evaluate significance with a documented method
Organisations commonly use criteria such as consequence, likelihood, scale, sensitivity and relevant obligations. A scoring matrix is one possible technique, not a universal mandatory ISO formula.
Record the reasoning as well as any score. Avoid allowing a low numerical total to dismiss an applicable obligation or an important environmental consequence. Connect the priorities to pollution prevention and the wider EMS.