ENVIRONMENTAL RISK

ASSESSMENT
An Australian Perspective

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Environmental Risk
Environmental risk deals with the probability of an event causing a
potentially undesirable effect.
Quantitative risk assessment thus deals with statistics, because
probability is the mathematical measure of risk, and with hazard
assessment which determines the nature of the undesirable effect.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Methods and Results
The approach adopted to the study was based on the following elements:
I.

Reviewing the literature, plus extensive consultation to determine

Australian practice, and international best practice, in the application of
quantitative risk assessment.
II. Identifying areas that are of current concern to environmental
protection and choosing appropriate case studies for each area.
Each case study deals with an apparently contentious topic and the
discussion of the case study seeks to determine whether the contentious
aspects of the topic could have been minimised through application of
quantitative risk assessment.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Figure 1: Risk Assessment Framework applied

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Implementation

OVERVIEW
Environmental Risk Assessment
The concept of risk; likelihood of something happening and consequences
if it happens.
Example - Diving into shallow water; hazard-shallow water, risk-act of
diving, where consequences range from severe (death by drowning) to
mild (cuts/scratches)

This definition based on Environment Canada; which likelihood of

occurrence is replaced by ENTRY into the environment

OVERVIEW
Risk Analysis and Risk Assessment
In US, risk assessment refers to component of overall process where as
risk analysis is the overall process which includes risk assessment, risk
management, risk perception and communication.
In Australia, risk analysis used to describe the component (eg;
calculations) where as risk assessment is understood to be overall
process.
EIA process in Australia itself is a form of environmental risk assessment
generally as qualitative.

OVERVIEW
Risk Analysis and Risk Assessment
Risk Analysis and Risk Assessment involve judgements of probability.
Done by 3 ways:
1) Judgements of a priori probability; e.g. chance of throwing double-6
with pair of true dice is one in 36. (objective/actual risk)
2) estimates of actual frequency; e.g. there is slightly better than even
chance that any given unborn infant will be a boy. (objective/actual risk)
3) judgment of credibility; e.g. there is now very little chance that
France will cancel its atomic tests. (subjective/perceived risk)

OVERVIEW
Benefits in applying Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA)

2 separate uses for ERA:

Strategic RA
Tactical RA

Strategic Risk Assessment to determine corporate activities (set

priorities, allocate resources, make informed decisions);

Forecasting
Setting Priorities
Informed decision-making
Reconciling viewpoints
Cumulative impact assessment

OVERVIEW
Benefits in applying Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA)

Tactical Risk Assessment to determine the risk to people from planned/

existing development (quantitative risk assessment);

Objectivity
Transparency of process
Documentation
Reduce costs

OVERVIEW
International Best Practice in Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA)

Government uses in procedures & workings of many environmental

agencies around the world
Industry as part of QMS; achievement of objectives and addressing
cost-benefit consideration towards risk tolerances
Environmental Protection as ecological risk assessment
Setting Environmental standards to avoid risk

OVERVIEW

Australian (Commonwealth) Environmental Practice

EPA part of Federal Department of Environment, Sport & Territories
responsible for the assessment of environmental effects of industrial,
agricultural, chemicals, coordinating mechanism related to contaminated
sites, and hazardous facilities .

An Australian Environmental Risk Assessment Model

EPA part of Federal Department of Environment, Sport & Territories
responsible for the assessment of environmental effects of industrial,
agricultural, chemicals, coordinating mechanism related to contaminated
sites, and hazardous facilities .

OVERVIEW
An Australian Environmental Risk Assessment Model
Figure 1: Risk Assessment Framework applied

OVERVIEW
An Australian Environmental Risk Assessment Model

OVERVIEW
An Australian Environmental Risk Assessment Model
Application of risk assessment requires capabilities in:
I.
II.
III.
IV.

systems analysis for scenario development;

technical expertise to quantify hazards;
statistical and computer modelling skills; and
expertise to quantify the costs / benifits