Subject environmental performance

The objective performance of the environment can be measured in terms of physical quantities (temperature, noise, illuminance, etc.). The human perception and assessment can be expressed by a person with so-called subjective environmental performance indicators, such as control of environment or specific items (ventilation, noise, light, etc.), acceptability of the environment or a specific item (air quahty, thermal comfort, colour, etc.) and complaints or symptoms related to the environment (irritating eyes, skin, headaches, etc.). 

The environmental performance of companies within the industry is normally subject to the legislative requirements of the host government, but is increasingly becoming scrutinised by the public, as available information and general levels of awareness increase. Major companies see responsible management of the environmental aspects of their operations as crucial to the future of their business. The approval of loans from major banks for project finance is usually conditional on acceptable environmental management. 

The selection of a suitable matrix for a composite material involves many factors, and is especially important because the matrix is usually the weak and flexible link in all properties of a two-phase composite material. The matrix selection factors include ability of the matrix to wet the fiber (which affects the fiber-matrix interface strength), ease of processing, resulting laminate quality, and the temperature limit to which the matrix can be subjected. Other performance-related factors include strain-to-failure, environmental resistance, density, and cost. 

A considerable number of publications have been written about the use of metrics to drive business, government, and communities towards more sustainable practices. The reader is referred elsewhere for a discussion of what metrics have been proposed. There has also been much written about the characteristics of metrics, or what constitutes a good metric (Bennett and Jones, 1999 NRC, 1999 Corporate Environmental Performance, 1999). It is generally agreed that metrics must be clearly defined, relevant and meaningful (easily understood and accepted), easy to reproduce, few in number but sufficiently diverse, cost-effective, measurable, and objective rather than subjective. They must also yield nonperverse results, should... 

Of the three categories of sustainability performance measurement, the social area may be the most difficult to address. Where financial and environmental indicators lend themselves easily to quantitative performance measurement, many of the social issues that are the subject of performance measurement are not easily quantifiable (GRI, 2002). Social indicators must often rely on qualitative measures of the organization s operations. This is an area where further research will be needed. An example of the core social indicators and metrics from GRI s Sustainability Reporting Guidelines is illustrative of this difficulty ... 

Each CER obtained was analysed using a comprehensive set of environmental performance indicators (EPIs). An overall ranking of CERs was made difficult by the lack of a universal standard. In addition, there was frequently little or no quantitative information, making some of the individual EPI assessments subjective. 

How relevant and how reliable is the data on which companies are assessed Sources of data can range from predominantly subjective questionnaires to precise scientific measurement. Environmental performance indicators need to be identified and agreed upon, at least on an industry basis. How they are to be measured should be clearly specified. It will always be difficult to compare CERs from large multinationals with those from small and medium enterprises, particularly as the former could be reporting at any one of a number of different levels - site, national, regional, business or corporate. 

During take-off and landing, the wheels of modem aircraft are subject to great stress. New high-performance brake systems and aggressive environmental influences push the wheels closer and closer to their limit. These conditions as well as increased requirements for safety and quality control now necessitate that wheels are tested much more comprehensively than in the past. 

The general purpose of an audit may be to determine if the toller has management systems and documented procedures in place to ensure process safety, environmental responsibility, product quality and traceability of materials. The need to audit could be to evaluate compliance with regulations or accordance with client requirements related to specific performance elements. A subjective rating system for ranking management systems audit results is often used. An example of one that might be appropriate is shown below ... 

For facilities that include large numbers of motors and other electrical equipment, it normally is both more economical and more convenient to furnish a building to enclose the required motor starters and distribution panels. This building is normally referred to as a motor control center (MCC). In addition to typically allowing less expensive non-explosion-proof equipment, these buildings are frequently environmentally controlled (air conditioned, and possibly heated in colder climates) to reduce equipment corrosion and enhance reliability. Maintenance is more easily performed indoors than if the equipment were installed outside and maintenance personnel were subject to extreme cold, rain, snow, or other adverse weather conditions. 

External conditions can also cause a decrease in arousal that may also affect cognitive/psychomotor performance. An interesting stimulation study conducted by Suedfield and Eich136 showed how arousal can be reduced. They used Restricted Environmental Stimulation Technique (REST), in which a subject floats in a dense solution of skin temperature water and Epsom salts. This technique was shown to decrease subjective reports of arousal. Similar reports come from studies of meditation137-138 and systematic relaxation.139... 

Hyun Y, Elhs M, Riskowski G and Johnson R W (1998b), Growth performance of pigs subjected to multiple concurrent environmental stressors , J Anim Sci, 76, 721-727. 

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