Standard Guide for Remedial Action Resiliency to Climate Impacts

Importancia y uso:

4.1 This guide outlines various techniques for evaluating and mitigating the impacts of climate change and weather extremes on remediation systems, activity and use limitations, stewardship and remediation activities.

4.2 Users include: local, state, federal, tribal, and international agencies; the military; environmental consultants; developers; financial institutions; non-governmental organizations; environmental advocacy groups; commercial businesses, industries, and the interested public.

4.3 A 2018 ITRC survey of 45 state environmental agencies found key Best Management Practices (BMPs) and adaptation strategies for resilient cleanup. These include remedy infrastructure and disaster planning for chemical releases as an important part of the state’s clean-up program. In some cases, such considerations are now required by state regulations and included in policy and guidance (ITRC, 2018 (3)).

4.4 Adaptation is important because it is about considering and addressing the changing frequency and intensity of extreme events. Adaptation differs from resiliency by anticipating, planning and preparing for impacts under both current and future climate conditions.

4.5 There are many models and different strategies on adapting to climate and weather extremes, including those in the European Union (European Union, 2013 (4), IPPC, 2001 (5)).

4.6 The USGAO has reported benefits from evaluating climate risks for large projects. (USGAO, 2019 (6)) GAO found most Superfund sites have not factored the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events and climate impacts into the design of remedies. This has resulted in unplanned releases of chemicals into the environment at some sites.

4.7 Companies and organizations operating in accordance with ISO 14001-2015 may find this guide useful for meeting the long-term compliance obligation requirements of Clause 5.2 (ISO 14001-2015)

4.8 This guide should be integrated into the fundamentals of an organization’s management system in order to support an organization’s strategies, plans, and operations. For example, ISO, Risk, or Conformity Assessment references may influence integrating risk management into significant activities and functions. ((ISO 14001-2015))

4.9 Users also include: owners of Superfund sites; oil, gas and chemical companies; owners of land upon which oil, gas and chemical companies operate; design/build consultants and other industrial users who can include principles of this standard into their design and operation procedures and risk evaluation protocols. These are well -recognized management control programs within the chemical industry, and as such are highly relevant to how companies manage the resilience of physical systems. (ACC, 2014 (7))

4.10 Climate factors discussed in this standard guide can result in the unplanned or unexpected release of chemicals of concern into the environment. These releases may adversely affect human and ecological receptors and impact cultural resources and infrastructure.

Subcomité:

E50.07

Referida por:

E3341-23A, E3360-25, E3377-24, E3032-22

Volúmen:

11.06

Número ICS:

13.020.99 (Other standards related to environmental protection)

Palabras clave:

chemicals of concern; climate change; ecosystem services; environmental justice; extreme weather; remediation; site clean up; superfund;