An environmental consultant explaining a green audit definition

Green Audit Definition: What Is It and Why Does It Matter?

The term “green audit” is relatively new in the environmental compliance space. RSB Environmental wants to create clarity around the green audit definition. Our goal is to help you stay up to date on the latest environmental issues so that you can understand whether performing an audit is a good idea for your company.

 

What Is a Green Audit?

A “green audit” is another name for an environmental audit. These audits assess various facets of industrial operations. Audits determine whether a company’s operations impact the air, water, waste, and soil.

These audits help businesses avoid compliance issues. They also guide the minimization of a company’s impact on the environment to support sustainability. Plus, audit data can be used to improve workplace safety.

What Does a Green Audit Entail?

During a green audit, assessors will:

  • Review current processes
  • Assess effects of operations on air and water
  • Review potential water and air contamination
  • Examine waste production data
  • Determine ways to prevent contamination

After the audit, reviewers will provide clients with an action plan. The plan should outline the issues discovered and how the company can correct them. Some issues are quite easy to correct. For example, your company may need to apply for a permit or administer employee training.

Other issues are harder and more time-consuming to resolve. A prime example is excessive air pollution. Companies that face this issue may need to invest in scrubbing and filtration equipment.

Why a Green Audit Matters

Green audits help businesses remain compliant as per state and federal regulations. They can help the company avoid fines or other penalties. Audits help companies create safer working conditions as well.

Modern green audits allow companies to reduce their impact on the world around them. This approach can improve standing with customers, as modern consumers are highly conscious of how the activities of a company impact the environment.

Our Process for Performing an Environmental Audit

Now that we have provided a clear green audit definition, let’s shift the focus to our process for performing an environmental audit. During this audit, RSB Environmental will request 15 to 20 data points. Some of the information we will request includes:

  • Site layout
  • Current plans
  • Site operations
  • Permitting records

After we have received the requested information, we will book a site visit. The site visit may take 1-2 days, depending on the size of your facility.

The next step is to complete our audit report. This detailed report will include observations and recommendations. Finally, we will meet with your team to propose a plan to address any issues.

We understand that each client’s time is valuable. That is why we provide you with a compliance matrix as part of our report. This matrix allows clients to prioritize pressing issues and digest our findings quickly. In the matrix, you will see color-coded findings:

  • Red indicates issues that require immediate action. (These issues may pose safety hazards or reveal that you are out of compliance.)
  • Yellow indicates that preventive action is recommended.
  • Green designations indicate that no action is needed.

– If you’re ready to get started, we encourage you to schedule an environmental audit with our team to ensure that your company is operating in an environmentally responsible manner.

– We also want to help your company stay apprised of compliance issues so that you remain aligned with regulatory requirements. You can receive critical information directly to your inbox by signing up for our monthly email newsletter. To start receiving the newsletter, send an email to info@rsbenv.com to be added to our list.