EENG 8400
Legal Matters and Sustainability Management Systems
| School | School of Construction and the Environment |
|---|---|
| Program | Environmental Engineering |
| Course Credits | 3 |
| Minimum Passing Grade | 50% |
| Start Date | September 08, 2020 |
| End Date | December 15, 2020 |
| Total Hours | 45 |
| Total Weeks | 15 |
| Hours/Weeks | 3 |
| Delivery Type | Lecture/Lab |
| Prerequisite(s) | EENG 7200 |
| CRN | 45980 |
Acknowledgement of Territories
The British Columbia Institute of Technology acknowledges that our campuses are located on the unceded traditional territories of the Coast Salish Nations of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), səl̓ilwətaɁɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), and xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam).
Instructor Details
| Name | Jason Azzam |
|---|---|
| Instructor to provide | |
| Location | Off-Campus |
| Office Hours | Instructor to provide |
Course Description
The course starts off with providing an overview of the Canadian legal system and fundamentals of environmental law and policy. The roles of federal, provincial, and local governments as well as Indigenous peoples in environmental protection and sustainable development are explained. Current environmental issues will be covered as case studies in light of laws and regulations. Course continues with a focus on the key elements of sustainability management systems (SMS) and processes involved in managing the environmental and health and safety aspects of an operation or organization. Students will learn how to develop and implement a SMS, which integrates sustainability into consideration and management of environmental aspects of an organization as well as the laws, policies, commitments, regulations and other drivers.
Course Learning Outcomes/Competencies
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Apply the constitution and case law to determine jurisdiction, degree of conflict or harmonization with respect to environmental protection issues.
- Carry on a legal analysis of an environmental issue.
- Discuss the Indigenous peoples' and other parties' (stakeholders) rights and responsibilities and environmental law.
- Discuss the most commonly used Environmental Management Systems (EMS) including ISO 14001 and EMAS
- Integrate social and financial concerns into an EMS to create a Sustainability Management System (SMS).
- Rank environmental and social impacts in terms of importance and assess potential targets for their ability to mitigate risks and minimize impacts.
- Achieve targets by developing policies, programs and initiatives and integrating them into existing corporate culture.
- Track the success of programs by identifying, recording and monitoring Key Performance Indicators (metrics) and taking corrective actions when necessary.
- Analyze and present critical information for the purposes of internal and external auditing and reporting on the SMS.
Learning Resources
As a student at BCIT, you have access to library resources and databases on topics of interest. Visit BCIT Library website for additional information (https://www.bcit.ca/library/ ).
1. Recommended Textbooks (available at BCIT Library):
ISO14001:2015 – Environmental Management Systems
ISO26000:2010 – Social Responsibility
2. EENG 8400 lecture handouts.
3. Supplemental materials and internet resources (references and links provided in the course syllabus and lecture handouts).
Course Goals
Upon successful completion, the student will be able to:
- Apply the constitution and legal principles to determine jurisdiction, degree of conflict or harmonization with respect to environmental protection issues.
- Conduct a legal analysis of an environmental issue.
- Discuss Aboriginal peoples’ and other stakeholders’ rights and responsibilities within the context of environmental regulatory regimes.
- Discuss the most commonly used Environmental Management Systems (EMS) including ISO 14001.
- Integrate social and financial concerns into an EMS to create a Sustainability Management System (SMS).
- Rank environmental and social impacts in terms of importance and assess potential targets for their ability to mitigate risks and minimize impacts.
- Achieve targets by developing policies, standards, programs and initiatives and integrating them into existing corporate culture.
- Understand and track the success of programs by identifying, recording and monitoring Key Performance Indicators (metrics) and taking corrective actions when necessary.
- Analyze and present critical information for the purposes of internal and external auditing and reporting on the SMS.
Evaluation Criteria
|
Criteria |
% |
Comments |
|
Assignments (4 SMS @ 10%) |
40 |
|
|
Midterm Assignment (SMS @ 10%) |
10 |
|
|
Small Group Assignment (Legal @ 10%) |
10 |
|
|
Participation |
10 |
|
|
Final Exam – Legal |
15 |
|
|
Final Exam Assignment – SMS |
15 |
|
|
TOTAL |
100% |
Attendance Requirements
Students are expected to attend and participate in all classes and activities.
Other information
Makeup Tests, Exams, or Quizzes:
There will be no makeup tests, exams, or quizzes. If you miss a test, exam, or quiz, you will receive zero marks. Exceptions may be made for documented medical reasons or extenuating circumstances as per BCIT policy. In such a case, it is the responsibility of the student to inform the instructor immediately.
Academic Rigour:
Students should expect to be challenged on exams and assignments beyond fundamental lecture material. This process enables the instructor to evaluate a student’s ability to problem solve and integrate the material.
Course Schedule and Assignments
|
Session |
Lecture Topics |
Recommended Reading Materials |
Course Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Overview of Canadian Legal System Introduction to Aboriginal Law |
|
See course handouts |
|
2 |
Key Environmental Legislation in Canada [Part 1 – Focus on Water & Air] |
|
See course handouts |
|
3 |
Key Environmental Legislation in Canada [Part 2 – Focus on Land Management] |
|
See course handouts |
|
4 |
Stakeholder Participation in Environmental Protection |
|
See course handouts |
|
5 |
Environmental Assessment Reviews |
|
See course handouts Small Group Assignment Due |
|
6 |
Final Exam |
|
The final exam will be posted on the last day of class. See course handouts |
|
7 |
Intro to Sustainability Management System course |
|
See course handouts Introductions Small Group Assignment SMS#1&2 |
|
8 |
Annex SL, EMS Clauses 1 to 3 and ISO 26000 Review UN SDGs |
|
See course handouts |
|
9 |
Clause 4 – Context of the Organization |
|
See course handouts Assignment #1 Due: Presentation by groups |
|
10 |
Continuation from Week 9 – Clause 4 |
|
See course handouts Assignment # 2 Due: Presentations by groups |
|
11 |
Clause 5 - Leadership |
|
See course handouts Mid-Term Exam Assignment Discussion |
|
12 |
Clause 6 -Planning |
|
See course handouts Select topic for Mid-term Exam Assignment Small Group Assignment SMS#3 |
|
13 |
Clause 6 - Planning (Continued) Clause 7 & 8 – Support and Operations |
|
Mid-term exam assignment due |
|
14 |
Clauses 9 & 10 – Performance & Improvement Review for Final Exam Assignment |
|
See course handouts Assignment #3 Due: Presentation by Groups Final Exam Assignment: Due in One week |
BCIT Policy
Any student who needs special assistance in the event of a medical emergency or building evacuation (either because of a disability or for any other reason) should promptly inform their course instructor(s) and Accessibility Services of their personal circumstances.
Human Rights, Harassment and Discrimination:
The BCIT community is made up of individuals from every ability, background, experience and identity, each contributing uniquely to the richness and diversity of the BCIT community as a whole. In recognition of this, and the intrinsic value of our diversity, BCIT seeks to foster a climate of collaboration, understanding and mutual respect between all members of the community and ensure an inclusive accessible working and learning environment where everyone can succeed.
Respect, Diversity, and Inclusion is a supportive resource for both students and employees of BCIT, to foster a respectful learning and working environment. Any student who feels that they are experiencing discrimination or harassment (personal or human rights-related) can confidentially access this resource for advice and support. Please see Policy 7507 – Harassment and Discrimination and accompanying procedure.
Students should make themselves aware of additional Education, Administration, Safety and other BCIT policies listed at https://www.bcit.ca/about/administration/policies.shtml
Guidelines for School of Construction and the Environment
Attempts:
Students must successfully complete a course within a maximum of three (3) attempts at the course. Students with two attempts in a single course will be allowed to repeat the course only upon special written permission from the Associate Dean. Students who have not successfully completed a course within three attempts will not be eligible to graduate from their respective program.
Approved
I verify that the content of this course outline is current.
Jason Azzam, Instructor
September 07, 2020
I verify that this course outline has been reviewed.
Olga Petrov, Program Head
September 07, 2020
I verify that this course outline has been reviewed and complies with BCIT policy.
Michael Currie, Associate Dean
September 08, 2020
Note: Should changes be required to the content of this course outline, students will be given reasonable notice.