Study materials

Module 1: Environmental good governance

The first chapter of the course describes the main ideas in environmental good governance and the tools that governments use to regulate the environmental behaviour of both companies and citizens. Environmental good governance follows the principles of good governance, but the difference is that in the case of environmental good governance, sustainability is advocated as the supreme consideration in managing all human activities – political, social and economic.

Module 2: Planning: Selecting topic for an environmental audit

In the previous module, we learnt briefly about the concepts of sustainable development and environmental policy and the main environmental governance tools to achieve environmental objectives. 

The following sections of the course will focus on identifying environmental problems and choosing topics for auditing. 

Module 3: Planning: designing the audit

In the previous module, we discussed how to select an environmental topic for auditing. Now it’s time to plan it more thoroughly. 

The audit design phase is crucial to the success of an audit, otherwise there is a risk that time and other resources are used unwisely. In this phase, we determine what and how we are going to audit. There are various elements you need to consider and decide on before heading out to work in the field.

Module 4: Conducting an audit, reporting and follow-up

In previous modules, we planned an environmental audit. Now it is time to conduct the audit, implement the Audit Design Matrix (ADM), determine the results and carry out the follow-up activities.

The purpose of auditing is to offer impartial opinions and advice, with an aim to improve the processes in the sector under audit. The audit report must be unbiased and demonstrate a good understanding of the subject. The publication of an audit report is also a crucial phase, as this is when discussions will accelerate and more attention is paid to the issues uncovered.