B2.6 Key Terms
In this section we shall examine the operational implications of prescribed processes, including Emissions Trading, the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme and Carbon Tax. Firstly, we shall look at some of the associated key terminology.
BATNEEC
Best Available Techniques Not Entailing Excessive Cost.
BATNEEC refers to the effective technology and methods designed to prevent emissions. However, organisations may consider the financial effects of any such methods. When interpreting ‘excessive costs’ you should consider the environmental cost benefit analysis versus the ability to ‘afford’ the environmental improvements.
BAT
Best Available Techniques
BAT is defined by EC Directive 96/61 as ”the most effective and advanced stage in the development of activities and their methods of operation which indicates the practicable suitability of particular techniques for providing the basis for emission limit values designed to prevent, and where that is not practicable, generally to reduce the emissions and the impact on the environment as a whole”.
This refers to the effective technology and methods designed to prevent (and where prevention is not practicable, to reduce) emissions and their impacts on the environment. These techniques must be already developed under economically and technically viable conditions.
Best: The techniques that offer the highest level of environmental protection.
Available: Techniques that are available on a scale suitable for the industrial sector in question.
Techniques: technology and the method of design, construction, operation (including maintenance) and decommissioning.
With the introduction of the Integrated Pollution Prevention & Control Directive BAT replaced BATNEEC.
BPM
Best Practicable Means
Best practicable means is an attempt to prevent a statutory nuisance occurring or to counteract its effects. The term “means” includes: the design, installation and maintenance of plant and machinery; the manner and periods of operation of plant and machinery; and the design, construction and maintenance of buildings and structures.