MOOC: Introduction to environmental auditing in the public sector

Exercise 1

Environmental good governance

Match the explanations with the terms.

Non-rivalrous and non-excludable resources that are not diminished when shared.	Regulatory instrument Unselect Environmental Impact Assessment Unselect Best available technique Unselect Public goods Unselect Precautionary principle Unselect Polluter pays principle Unselect Market-based instrument Unselect
The idea that a lack of full scientific certainty should not be used as a reason for postponing cost-effective measures to prevent environmental degradation.	Regulatory instrument Unselect Environmental Impact Assessment Unselect Best available technique Unselect Public goods Unselect Precautionary principle Unselect Polluter pays principle Unselect Market-based instrument Unselect
The responsibility of polluter to cover all costs, including indirect, arising from pollution.	Regulatory instrument Unselect Environmental Impact Assessment Unselect Best available technique Unselect Public goods Unselect Precautionary principle Unselect Polluter pays principle Unselect Market-based instrument Unselect
An evaluation of a potential positive or adverse impact that a proposed project may have on the environment.	Regulatory instrument Unselect Environmental Impact Assessment Unselect Best available technique Unselect Public goods Unselect Precautionary principle Unselect Polluter pays principle Unselect Market-based instrument Unselect
The requirement of the enterprise to use the very best possible technology that can be economically justified to protect the environment.	Regulatory instrument Unselect Environmental Impact Assessment Unselect Best available technique Unselect Public goods Unselect Precautionary principle Unselect Polluter pays principle Unselect Market-based instrument Unselect
Governments’ tool to provide producers and consumers with incentives to change their behaviour towards the more efficient use of natural resources by reducing consumption and to look for more effective ways of making environmental progress (e.g. taxes, charges, levies, subsidies)	Regulatory instrument Unselect Environmental Impact Assessment Unselect Best available technique Unselect Public goods Unselect Precautionary principle Unselect Polluter pays principle Unselect Market-based instrument Unselect
Governments’ tool that sets clear conditions and allows for little flexibility in achieving goals (e.g. directives, bans, permits, standards)	Regulatory instrument Unselect Environmental Impact Assessment Unselect Best available technique Unselect Public goods Unselect Precautionary principle Unselect Polluter pays principle Unselect Market-based instrument Unselect

Select the correct answers.

Term	Choice (true/false)
Ecosystem services	The benefits to humans provided by the natural environment and from healthy ecosystems (e.g. pollination\|climate regulation). The benefits to humans provided by enterprises\|local authorities and governments to improve their sanitation and living conditions (e.g. wastewater systems\|waste collection).
Public participation in environmental questions	An element in environmental governance where the public is informed about environmental problems\|but they are not involved in solving them. A crucial element in environmental governance that involves the public and contributes to better decision-making in the environmental area.
Environmental negative externality	Costs imposed on others which are not reflected in the prices of production or consumption of goods and services. Costs imposed on others which are reflected in the prices of production or consumption of goods and services.
Environmentally harmful subsidies	The subsidies/tax exemptions\|etc. which aim to improve the status of the environment but at the same time harm the consumption of non-renewable resources. The subsidies/tax exemptions\|etc. which confer an advantage to certain consumers\|users or producers in order to supplement their income or lower their costs\|but\|in doing so\|discriminate against sound environmental practice.

What are the three main aspects (pillars) of sustainability which must be in balance in order to achieve sustainable development?

Choose three answers.

social issues

economy

industry

politics

environment

Match the audit topic with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) primarily related to it.

Municipal waste management and achievement of recycling objectives	15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss Unselect 13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts Unselect 7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all Unselect 12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns Unselect 6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all Unselect 14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development Unselect
Drinking water quality in industrialised regions	15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss Unselect 13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts Unselect 7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all Unselect 12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns Unselect 6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all Unselect 14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development Unselect
Sustainable management of fisheries	15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss Unselect 13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts Unselect 7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all Unselect 12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns Unselect 6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all Unselect 14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development Unselect
Measures taken to achieve climate neutrality by 2050	15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss Unselect 13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts Unselect 7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all Unselect 12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns Unselect 6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all Unselect 14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development Unselect
Performance of state programmes in supporting the development of renewable energy	15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss Unselect 13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts Unselect 7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all Unselect 12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns Unselect 6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all Unselect 14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development Unselect
Impact of agricultural subsidies on the quality of fertile soils and surface waters	15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss Unselect 13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts Unselect 7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all Unselect 12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns Unselect 6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all Unselect 14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development Unselect