Question

What do you mean by social issues with respect with envirnment?

Answer 1

Environmental issues may present themselves as temporary or permanent changes to the atmosphere, water, and land due to human activities, which can result in impacts that may be either reversible or irreversible. Social issues may emerge in the workplace of a client’s/investee’s operations and may also impact surrounding communities. A client’s/investee’s performance in the areas listed below can represent environmental and social risks to the operation:

Air emissions and air quality

Energy use and conservation

Wastewater and water quality

Water use and conservation

Hazardous materials use

Wastes

Land contamination

Biodiversity and natural resources

Occupational health and safety

Community health, safety, and security

Land acquisition and resettlement

Indigenous peoples

Cultural heritage

The extent of environmental and social impacts potentially associated with a client’s/investee’s operations depends on the industry sector and is usually categorized into low, medium or high risk.