Claudia Dorsch

Development of Environmental Management Systems in Ski Areas

This chapter presents the crucial auditing cycle which is the basis for any eco-management and auditing scheme as introduced by the European Commission. Against these basic principles and their historic development, the main advantages and benefits of a participation in the EMAS system are reported. Finally, the definition and often challenging spatial delimitation of a ski area are described.

Aims and Basic Principles of the Handbook

This chapter introduces the main international standards of environmental management systems and their related certification, illustrating basic principles and rules. Furthermore, the main goals of this handbook are described such as identifying the specific challenges for ski resorts, the particular methodological adaptations that need to me made and the prerequisites for a successful certification.

Registration Process (EMAS)

This chapter explains the last steps of the EMAS process, its registration by the respective environmental agency and lists the required documents. In addition, the requirements for organisations to renew their EMAS registration are addressed. Austria and the documents provided by its national Environment Agency serve as an example to describe the procedure.

Management Review and Internal Audit

This chapter explains the internal audit and its recommended content. During this step, top management shall review the environmental management system in defined intervals and identify potential for improvement as well as possible need for changes. This process is crucial for the continuing suitability, adequacy and effectiveness of the system and ensures continual improvement.

Establishing the Environmental Management System in Ski Areas

This chapter covers the whole content of the environmental review and the related procedure for obtaining the required information. In this context, an overview on the legal requirements and a legal database are crucial components of the review which should also include safety aspects and emergency planning. The review gives an assessment of the current state encompassing all relevant environmental aspects such as geology and soils, climate conditions, vegetation, fauna, water, immissions, waste and the use of resources. To assist with the assessment and evaluation of these different environmental aspects, related checklists are provided. Finally, personnel participation during the environmental review and the implementation of actions with a clear definition of responsibilities and competencies are explained. The chapter closes with recommendations for communication and documentation.

Verification and Validation Through Environmental Verifiers

The verification and validation process under the EMAS regulation demand a specific procedure explained in this chapter. This step examines whether the requirements of the EMAS regulation are fulfilled, which may only be conducted by authorised external environmental verifiers. The description includes the necessary qualifications of such verifiers as well as the various aspects that need to be examined by them.

Environmental Management in Ski Areas

Environmental management is getting more and more important for destination choice, green marketing and sustainable tourism offers. In the past, environmental measures were primarily imposed by conservation authorities. Nowadays, an increasing number of organizations choose to take a more active approach and address environmental issues in their management and marketing schemes. The introductory chapter highlights this voluntary application of environmental management systems by ski resorts and ski areas as a crucial opportunity for sustainable development.

Mitarbeiterbeteiligung, Fähigkeit, Schulung und Bewusstsein

In diesem Themenkomplex muss man unterscheiden zwischen der Beteiligung der Mitarbeiter bei der ersten Umweltprufung und den Folgeprufungen sowie den notwendigen Fahigkeiten und Schulungen, die erforderlich sind, um das Risiko und ggf. die Umweltgefahr gering zu halten. Nachstehend wird zunachst auf die Mitarbeiterbeteiligung im Rahmen der ersten Umweltprufung eingegangen und dann auf die dauerhafte Einbindung der Mitarbeiter, ihre Schulungen und die aktive Beteiligung an einer umweltgerechten Entwicklung.

Begutachtung und Validierung durch Umweltgutachter

Eine externe Begutachtung als Abschluss des Prozesses kann angestrebt werden, wenn im Skigebiet n n nein funktionsfahiges Umweltmanagementsystem eingerichtet ist, n n neine Umweltprufung durchgefuhrt und dokumentiert wurde, n n ndie Managementbewertung und das interne Audit vollzogen wurden, n n nMasnahmen definiert und eine Umwelterklarung erstellt wurden.

Management Review und internes Audit

Ein weiterer Bestandteil der regelmasigen internen Uberprufungen ist die sogenannte Managementbewertung, auch Management Review genannt. Hierzu muss das oberste Fuhrungsgremium das Umweltmanagementsystem in festgelegten Abstanden bewerten, um dessen fortdauernde Eignung, Angemessenheit und Wirksamkeit sicherzustellen. Bewertungen mussen die Beurteilung der Verbesserungspotenziale und den Anpassungsbedarf des Umweltmanagementsystems einschlieslich der Umweltpolitik, der umweltbezogenen Zielsetzungen und der Einzelziele beinhalten.