Environment Report 2013

ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2013

4.2 Consultation Responses Developing an industry response to public consultations on proposed government legislation is important to ensure that new legislation is fit for purpose and based on a sound understanding of the issues it is intended to regulate. Oil & Gas UK’s Environmental Issues Directorate has provided a number of responses to formal and informal consultations on behalf of industry during 2012/13: • Oil & Gas UK has responded to formal consultations for the following: ◦ ◦ Guidance relating to the Consent to Locate Process under Part 4 of the Energy Act 2008 ◦ ◦ European Maritime Safety Agency draft action plan for response to marine pollution from oil and gas installations ◦ ◦ Offshore Safety Directive ◦ ◦ Greenhouse Gas Emissions 2012 ◦ ◦ Proposals for an integrated framework of environmental regulation ◦ ◦ Marine Conservation Zones ◦ ◦ Marine Strategy Framework Directive ◦ ◦ National Contingency Plan review ◦ ◦ Offshore Combustion Installation Regulations 2013 ◦ ◦ Transposition of the Industrial Emissions Directive in Scotland • Informal consultations include submission of a response to the draft economic and social impact assessments of the Scottish Marine Protected Area designations, as well as giving example cost and operational implications of the proposed management measures. Submitting an industry response to such consultations allows our members’ perspectives to be taken into consideration during both the formation and revision stages of the policy making process. This allows practical policies to be implemented. 4.3 Environmental Seminar Oil &GasUK’s annual environmental seminar comprises a set of in-depthpresentations covering environmental challenges over a broad number of areas. During this one-day seminar, delegates hear from leading experts, including scientists, academics and representatives from industry regulators. The event is a valuable opportunity for environmental practitioners and operations personnel to gather and receive an overview of the types of issues at play to generate increased awareness and to establish how these areas may impact on their business. The seminar also provides an excellent networking opportunity enabling continued cross-industry communication. 4.4 Environmental Legislation Website The Oil & Gas UK Environmental Legislation website 14 is maintained and updated on a quarterly basis to ensure the information provided is accurate and up to date. The site provides information on statutory environmental requirements for offshore and onshore upstreamoil and gas operations and offers guidance on consent applications, statutory limits for discharges and emissions, and the statutory and industry reporting mechanisms that are in place. Guidance is also provided on consent renewal, variation and what to do in the event of non-compliance.

The website is used by operators to satisfy the requirement to have access to applicable legal information within their Environmental Management Systems.

14 The environmental legislation website can be accessed at: www.oilandgasukenvironmentallegislation.co.uk

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