ENVR08024 2019 Cleaner Production

General Details

Full Title
Cleaner Production
Transcript Title
Cleaner Production
Code
ENVR08024
Attendance
N/A %
Subject Area
ENVR - Environmental Science
Department
ESCI - Environmental Science
Level
08 - NFQ Level 8
Credit
10 - 10 Credits
Duration
Semester
Fee
Start Term
2019 - Full Academic Year 2019-20
End Term
9999 - The End of Time
Author(s)
Noel Connaughton
Programme Membership
SG_SECOL_H08 202000 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Environmental Science with Ecology SG_SENVM_K08 201900 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Environmental Management (Add-on) SG_SECOL_H08 202100 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Environmental Science with Ecology SG_SENVI_K08 202300 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Environmental Science with Ecology (Add-on)
Description

This module introduces the learner to the concept of cleaner production approaches and its application to a range of sectors (e.g. resource use and extraction, manufacturing, transport, use and final disposal) to increase overall efficiency and reduce damage and risks to humans and the environment. The module addresses pollution prevention, risk assessment, life cycle analysis, eco-labelling, green procurement and environmental performance evaluation. Specific emphasis will be placed on the financial appraisal of alternative options using simple payback and discounted cash flow techniques to select the most appropriate option from a range of options.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module the learner will/should be able to;

1.

Apply appropriate risk assessment methodologies to prioritise environmental protection measures.

2.

Develop appropriate accident prevention and emergency response procedures.

3.

Apply Cleaner Production principles and methodologies to a range of economic sectors.

4.

Critically review Green Procurement (GP) strategies and the factors that promote and hinder the effective implementation of GP strategies.

5.

Discuss the issues that should be considered in developing environmental awareness and training programmes.

6.

Critically review Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodologies and reports and discuss their practical application in environmental management. 

7.

Devise appropriate environmental performance evaluation methods and indicators for a range of sectors.

8.

Use the payback method and discounted cash flow techniques to select a project from a range of alternative options.

Teaching and Learning Strategies

This module will be delivered part-time. This will include lectures, augmented by independent learning and directed learning. This approach is expected to address student learning needs. Moodle will be used as a repository of educational resources and as a means of assessment (e.g. quizzes, uploading assignments and journals).

Module Assessment Strategies

This module is 50% Continuous Assessment and 50% Final Exam.

There are two separate MCQs worth 15% each.

There is one continuous assessment assignment (20%) (either individual or group) involving a review of published documents (e.g. LCA reports, legislative requirements, technical guidance documents etc.) or the development of a methodology or procedure, the preparation of a report or the financial appraisal of a set of project options (input data either given by the lecturer or developed by the learner).

Repeat Assessments

Repeat Continuous Assessment and/or Final Exam.

Module Dependencies

Prerequisites
None
Co-requisites
None
Incompatibles
None

Indicative Syllabus

Apply appropriate risk assessment methodologies to prioritise environmental protection measures.

  • Principles of Risk Assessment (RA)
  • Application of RA methodologies to prioritise environmental initiatives
  • Practical application of RA methodologies to a range of organisations

Develop appropriate accident prevention and emergency response procedures.

  • Legal requirements
  • Review of Regulator Guidelines

Apply Cleaner Production principles and methodologies to a range of economic sectors.

  • Principles and methodologies of Cleaner Production (CP)
  • Application of CP methodologies to a selected range of sectors to proactively protect the environment such as Manufacturing, Construction, Water & Wastewater, Waste, Energy, Transport, Agriculture & Forestry, Mining & Quarrying, Built Environment, Tourism, Services.

 Critically review Green Procurement (GP) strategies and the factors that promote and hinder the effective implementation of GP strategies.

  • Principles of Green Procurement
  • Green Procurement Criteria

 Discuss the issues that should be considered in developing environmental awareness and training programmes.

  • Environmental stakeholders
  • Communicating science/engineering to a technical and non-technical audience
  • Identifying training needs and assessing the training function

 Critically review Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodologies and reports and discuss their practical application in environmental management.

  • Principles of LCA (ISO 14040, ISO 14044)
  • Critical review of a range of LCA Case Studies

Devise appropriate environmental performance evaluation methods and indicators for a range of sectors.

  • Types and classifications of Environmental Indicators
  • Establishing and using Environmental Performance Indicators

 Use the payback method and discounted cash flow techniques to select a project from a range of alternative options.

  • Payback method
  • Net Present Value method
  • Internal Rate of Return
  • Practical application of DCF techniques to assess alternative environmental options over extended time periods

Coursework & Assessment Breakdown

Coursework & Continuous Assessment
50 %
End of Semester / Year Formal Exam
50 %

Coursework Assessment

Title Type Form Percent Week Learning Outcomes Assessed
1 Multiple Choice MCQ1 Coursework Assessment Multiple Choice/Short Answer Test 15 % Week 4 1,2
2 Individual/Group Assignment Coursework Assessment Assignment 20 % OnGoing 3,4,5,6,7,8
3 MCQ2 Coursework Assessment Multiple Choice/Short Answer Test 15 % Week 12 6,7,8

End of Semester / Year Assessment

Title Type Form Percent Week Learning Outcomes Assessed
1 Final Exam Written Exam Final Exam UNKNOWN 50 % Week 15 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
             
             

Online Learning Mode Workload


Type Location Description Hours Frequency Avg Workload
Lecture Offsite Facility On Line Lectures 2 Weekly 2.00
Directed Learning Not Specified Individual/Group Tutorials 1.7 Weekly 1.70
Workshop / Seminar Not Specified Site visit/guest lectures/group work/student presentations 4.5 Once Per Semester 0.30
Independent Learning Not Specified Research, writing reports, reading, studying 10 Weekly 10.00
Total Online Learning Average Weekly Learner Contact Time 4.00 Hours

Required & Recommended Book List

Recommended Reading
2016 Buying Green - A handbook on Green Public Procurement European Commission and ICLEI

Recommended Reading
2007 Cleaner Production Baltic University Press
ISBN 9789197552615 ISBN-13 9197552615

Module Resources

Non ISBN Literary Resources

Sonnemann, Tsang & Schuhmacher (2018) Integrated Life-Cycle and Risk Assessment for Industrial Processes and Products, CRC Press.

ISO 14040 (2006), Environmental Management – Life Cycle Assessment – Principles and Framework. International Organization of Standardization.

ISO 14044 (2006), Environmental Management – Life Cycle Assessment – Requirements and Guidelines. International Organization of Standardization.

Relevant articles reflecting latest research and practice from the Journal of Cleaner Production (and other publications as appropriate) across a range of sectors.EE

European Commission -(2016), Buying-Green-Handbook on Green Public Procurement -3rd-Edition

 

 

Journal Resources

Journal of Cleaner Production https://www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-cleaner-production

URL Resources

Reference documents under the IPPC Directive and the IED - http://eippcb.jrc.ec.europa.eu/reference/

Resource Efficiency - http://ec.europa.eu/environment/resource_efficiency/index_en.htm

Implementation of the Circular Economy - http://ec.europa.eu/environment/circular-economy/index_en.htm

Green Public Procurement (GPP) -  http://www.tenderteam.ie/advice/green-public-procurement-gpp-buying-green/

Other Resources

None

Additional Information

None