www.protectedareasmanagement.org www.protectedareasmanagement.org
www.protectedareasmanagement.org
 
Environmental Management
[Everything in bold is required]
ABOUT YOU
The results of this study will be of public domain. However, the identity of the respondents will not be disclosed and their contact information will not be shared with anyone. Occasionally, with his or her permission, I may contact a respondent to ask for further clarification on any of the answers. Respondents will receive a message to acknowledge their participation.
If you wish, you may check the consent form approved by the Conjoint Faculties Research Ethics Board, University of Calgary. Answering this questionnaire indicates that you agree to participate in the research.
 
Name:
 
Position:
 
Organization:
 
Country:
 
Name of the Protected area or organization:
 
Years of experience in this field:
 
Category:
IUCN
I Strict Nature Reserve
Ib Wilderness Area
II National Park
III Natural Monument
IV Habitat/Species Management Area
V Protected landscape/seascape
VI Managed Resource Protected Area
Biosphere Reserve
Other
 
In which State or Province is the park:
 
CONTACT INFORMATION
Street Address
Address Line 2
City
Postal Code
Province
Country
 
E-mail:
 
Area Code and telephone:
 
Do you want to keep the name of your organization anonymous?
 Yes  No 
 
Do you wish to remain anonymous?
 Yes  No 
 
Would you like to receive information about the results of the study?
 Yes  No 
 
[In this questionnaire, the term "park" refers to any category of protected area. I encourage you to use the spaces provided if the available options do not reflect what you wish to share and to expand on your responses.]
 
Environmental Management System
Certifications
 
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
 
Does the park have an Environmental Management System[iii] (EMS)?
Yes, implemented
It is in development
No
 
Do you have a process to identify the environmental impacts[i] of park operations?
Yes
No. Please click here to continue
 
Please indicate which criteria were used to identify and select the significant environmental aspects[ii] and impacts.
Please provide examples of criteria and environmental aspects if possible.
Deviation from baseline conditions
Federal or agency policy
International guidelines/commitment with international agreements
Legislative or regulatory requirements
Park management plan
Relevance for achieving restoration or reclamation goals for the park ecosystems
Stakeholders concerns
Other
 
If there is an EMS, are there formal procedures in place to audit it?
 Yes  No 
 
Are the environmental audits carried out periodically?
 Yes  No 
 
How often do you carry out environmental audits for a given operational unit?
Every year or less
Every one or two years
Every two to five years
More than five years
 
How often is the EMS reviewed?
Every year or less
Every one or two years
Every two to five years
More than five years
 
What model does your EMS follow?
ISO 140001
Other ISO Please specify
Environmental Management and Auditing Scheme (Europe)
National Standard
Own model
Other
Comments
 
Which of the following management tools, methods or techniques are being used in your park?
Analysis of Barriers
Analysis of Driving Forces
Cost/Benefit Analysis
Cybernetics
Ecological Footprints
Economic Instruments
Ecosystem Management
Education and Training
Environmental Accounting Practices
Environmental Audits
Environmental Communication
Environmental Impact Assessment
Environmental Indicators
Environmental Management Structures
Environmental Policies
Environmental Reporting
Environmental Site Assessment
Forecasting and Backcasting
Geographical Information Systems
Human Factors/Ergonomics
Information Management Systems
Joint Implementation and Clean Development Mechanism (for Green House Gases)
Life Cycle Assessment
Modeling
Monitoring
Product and Technology Assessment
Public participation or stakeholder consultation
Purchasing Guidelines
Risk Management
Strategic Environmental Management and Planning
Other
None
 
Corporations that have adopted international standards for EMS report the following benefits. Which ones do you think could be applied to parks that adopt an EMS?
Demonstrated commitment to improving environmental performance
Enhanced compliance with environmental regulations
Enhanced public image / showing social responsibility
Identification and control of risks
Identification, design and implementation of environmental strategies that bring financial benefits
Improved efficiency in providing products and services
Improved relationships and communication with non-governmental and governmental organizations
Incorporation of social and natural sciences into management systems
Increased accountability and responsibility
Increased capacity of the organization to meet national and international standards of quality
Increased competitive ability / access to markets
Increased confidence of sponsors / opportunities for funding
Increased confidence that environmental policies and objectives are implemented, maintained, and improved when possible
Increased revenues as a result of savings in the use of resources
Increased support from stakeholders
National or international recognition
Protection of the organization’s assets
Strengthening of corporate culture
 
What other benefits does an EMS bring to your park?
 
Please specify if the use of EMS has any other advantages or disadvantages.
 
CERTIFICATION
 
Which certifications or guidelines have been adopted for your park or facilities within it? Please indicate the name if possible.
Ecotourism
Environmental Management systems
Golf course
Governance
Management Effectiveness (IUCN)
Quality
Ski areas
Other
None
 
What groups have been influential in adopting these certifications?
Concessionaires
Local Communities, Aboriginal Peoples, or First Nations
Park staff
Private owners
Public/ stakeholders
Top management
Other
 
What benefits could certifications (other than for environmental management) bring to your park?
Enhance public image
Enhance relationships with stakeholders
Facilitate access to funding and sponsors
Improve planning and management
Increase opportunities for collaboration with international organizations
Increase opportunities for collaboration with national organizations
Increase support from upper authorities
Increase visitation to the park and revenues from it
Increased accountability and responsibility
Reduce conflicts among user groups
Other
Other
Comments
 
Which of the following might be disadvantages of adopting certification schemes?
Extra paperwork and bureaucracy
More control from external sources
Requirement of more personnel to comply with it
Risk that there would be no benefits at the end
Time and money required to implement and maintain the certification
Training requirements
Other
Comments
 
Do you think that a certification process designed specifically for protected areas would be beneficial?
Yes
No
Do not know
Why?
 
What factors would prevent national parks from adopting a certification standard specifically for protected areas?
Inadequate access to technology
Insufficient funding
Insufficient staff
Lack of consistency with national policies or guidelines
Lack of interest
Lack of knowledge about the certification process
Lack of political will
Lack of tangible benefits from certification
Lack of training
Rigid agency structure
Time constraints
Other
 
Would your park consider adopting certification standards promoted by the IUCN?
 Yes  No 
Why or why not?
 
Please use this space if you have additional comments or if you would like to comment on any aspect that you think is related to this topic and was not covered by this questionaire.
 
Please, use this link if you would like to give me some feedback on this questionnaire
[i] Any change to the environment, whether adverse of beneficial, wholly or partially resulting form an organization’s activities, products or services. International Organization for Standardization, 1996. ISO 14004. Environmental Management Systems-General guidelines on principles, systems and supporting techniques. Geneve, Suisse. <back>
[ii] Element of an organization’s activities, products or services that can interact with the environment. International Organization for Standardization, 1996. ISO 14004. Environmental Management Systems-General guidelines on principles, systems and supporting techniques. Geneve, Suisse. <back>
[iii] A part of the management system that includes organizational structure, planning activities, responsibilities, practices, procedures, processes and resources for developing, implementing, achieving, reviewing and maintaining the environmental policy. International Organization for Standardization, 1996. ISO 14004. Environmental Management Systems-General guidelines on principles, systems and supporting techniques. Geneve, Suisse. <back>