THE RELEVANCE OF RISK ASSESSMENT IN ENVIRONMENTAL APPROVALS AND DECISION MAKING

Abstract

The relevance of ecological risk assessment is the principal subject of this paper. The petroleum industry has demonstrated expertise in characterising process safety risk, and can confidently analyse the circumstances of accidental or routine emissions to the environment. However, the task of characterising the effects of environmental hazards on ecological systems has until recently been the domain of a select group of research scientists and theoreticians.

As environmental risk assessment practices evolve, they, of course, gain the attention of decision-makers that must consider the possible consequences of industrial development in potentially sensitive settings. There would appear to be an opportunity for advancing risk assessment techniques and methodologies to fill this demand. It might seem appropriate for the petroleum industry to exercise leadership in this endeavour, applying new technology in ecological risk assessment and setting new standards of performance.

But what would be the purpose of refining the petroleum industry's approach to environmental risk assessment if decision makers and the public do not wish to embrace the ideology of more perfect scientific expressions of the risk of development to the environment? Decision makers seek to obtain the best possible scientific advice on which to base decisions. However, the criteria for decision-making is understandably weighted in favour of consultation with stakeholders on issues of high social significance.

In order for risk assessment to constructively influence debate and decision-making on environmental issues, it is essential to recognise the features of the environment at risk that have both biological and societal relevance. Even so, the scientific practice of ecological risk assessment can only serve to highlight the issues at hand and communicate the strategy for managing risk. It does not stand to be regarded by decision-makers as the panacea for justifying industrial development in the foreseeable future.

A methodology for applying the practice of risk assessment in environmental approvals and decision making is proposed. A strategy of early government participation ensures that the major scientific and social issues can be incorporated explicitly in the risk assessment process. The criteria for interpreting the acceptability of risk must be stated unambiguously at the outset to foster credibility in the results. To be a successful and relevant practice, risk must be communicated to stakeholders with both an explanation of the uncertainty in the results, and a comparison of the risk of industrial development to naturally occurring and anthropogenic environmental hazards.