ERM Annual Review 2008 - (Page 17) Tianjin Construction Administration Commission Providing technical advisory services for engineering design and construction to remediate the Dagu Canal in China. George Lynn, St Louis MO, US Global Portfolios Pose Unique Challenges significant regulatory developments: the European Union’s Site contamination is a legacy of previous industrial land use. (EU) Environmental Liability and Groundwater Directives Due to the risks such contamination poses for local communities progressed towards implementation in the 27 Member States; and the surrounding environment, every site demands a unique and its Soil Framework Directive stalled. The EU has also Contaminated Site Management (CSM) solution. Handled started work on developing a single, clear and coherent version poorly, remediation can have serious impacts on a company’s of the Integrated Pollution Prevention Control (IPPC) Directive. reputation or lead to costly litigation. At this early stage, it proposes rigorous new requirements for Companies address contamination due to transactions, soil investigations on permitted facilities. ERM and industrial corporate risks and ever-changing regulations. Key challenges companies have been engaging with EU officials to highlight include effectively managing a changing portfolio of the challenges of the current proposals. operational and redundant sites with limited resources and In Brazil, a Federal Superfund program to address sites with extracting residual or latent real estate value through careful persistent pollutants is being established. In China an algae redevelopment planning. outbreak in Lake Taihu affected the drinking water for millions Multinational companies manage shifting portfolios of tens of people. In response, both local and central governments have to thousands of sites, many with their own unique challenges. accelerated the creation of legislation relating to groundwater ERM serves as portfolio program managers to help clients tailor protection and increased enforcement. strategic plans to optimize solutions for each site. We consider our clients’ business objectives, environmental, health and Downturn or Opportunity safety policies, and the constraints and opportunities posed Despite economic uncertainty in the financial markets, demand by relevant regulatory settings in establishing each plan. Over for CSM services during acquisition and divesture remains the last year we have continued to help Whirlpool Corporation strong. Some US and European property investors are implement their remediation management program globally, capitalizing on the drop in real estate prices and purchasing by designing sustainable strategies for each of their unique brownfield sites. During the last year we completed work remediation sites. for a number of clients ensuring such sites were appropriately The Pace of Regulatory Change Organizations need to account for both current and anticipated regulatory requirements. During 2007, Europe saw some remediated to meet local regulatory requirements and any public concerns. This demand is particularly prevalent in the mining and oil & gas sectors. � Shell Managing soil and groundwater environmental issues at an oil refinery. Shell’s Geelong refinery in Australia is located near residents, a school and a coastal marine environment. As part of the refinery’s Environmental Improvement Plan, ERM is assisting Shell develop a more holistic understanding of the nature and extent, fate and transport, and associated potential risks from contamination. In addition, we are also helping to implement controls and create a sustainable cleanup plan. Lance Robert, Sydney, Australia Neil Donaldson, Brisbane, Australia Guy Matelli, Houston TX, US ERM Annual Review 2008 17
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