Module Application
Does your organisation have an adequate knowledge of when and how to apply for the relevant resource consents, permits, approvals, permissions, licences, authorisations and exemptions as the case may be?
Is your organisation equipped to comply with its record-keeping obligations?
Is your organisation aware of its reporting and notification obligations?
Is your organisation aware of its obligations relating to issue-specific areas such as climate change, hazardous substances, waste, air quality, water and noise?
Module Scope
Business activities and operations can have a considerable impact on land, air, water, soil, and ecosystems. The ENVIRONMENT module draws together the key legislation that comes into play when your organisation undertakes activities that affect the environment and, in particular, natural and physical resources.
In particular, this module assists organisations to understand and comply with their environmental obligations. The module encompasses a range of legislative sources including, but not limited to:
- Resource Management Act 1991
- Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act 2011
- COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Act 2020
- Ozone Layer Protection Act 1996
- Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) Act 2012
- Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996
- Waste Minimisation Act 2008
- Climate Change Response Act 2002
The specific questions and answers covered by the module are:
- What are the legal obligations that may be impacted by reason of the activities undertaken by the organisation?
- What processes or procedures should the organisation adopt to bring it into compliance with its environmental obligations?
- What are the consequences if the legal obligations are breached?
The specific obligations covered by the module relating to information sharing obligations include:
- Record-keeping obligations
- Reporting obligations
- Notification obligations
- Preparation of documentation such as codes of practice and decommissioning plans
The specific obligations covered by the module relating to resources management include:
- Obligations relating to resource consents
- Obligations in relation to air quality
- Obligations in relation water
- Obligation in relation to noise emissions
Other issue-specific areas covered by the module include:
- Climate change
- Hazardous substances
- Ozone layer protection
- Waste minimisation
Organisations and their employees are all expected to be familiar with the broad landscape of legal obligations to which they are subject. The aim of this module is to equip the subscriber with knowledge of their environmental obligations and the processes and procedures necessary to establish the relevant systems and operations to ensure compliance.
Significant consequences can apply to organisations and their employees who are found to have breached or not complied with their environmental obligations. These consequences vary considerably depending on the nature and extent of the breach or failure. The ENVIRONMENT module covers the specific consequences in detail which can include significant monetary penalties, disciplinary measures and the suspension or cancelation of approvals or licenses.
The ENVIRONMENT module covers the roles and responsibilities of organisations. The module does not cover the role or actions to be taken by consumers in the event of a breach of regulations or obligations by an organisation.
[RMcV1]See our comments on documents in part '60'