Hobart, Tasmania – The 27th CASANZ International Clean Air and Environment Conference, held alongside the 10th Odours and Air Emissions Conference, recently concluded in Hobart, marking a significant gathering for professionals in air quality and odour management. Organised by the Clean Air Society of Australia and New Zealand (CASANZ) in collaboration with the International Water Association (IWA), the event featured over 110 presentations that showcased the latest advancements in the field.
Among the key highlights was the presentation of the E&T&C Certification, introduced by Carlos Díaz. This innovative certification aims to establish a comprehensive framework to enhance citizen engagement, improve transparency, and expand communication channels in cases of recurring odour impacts on neighbouring communities.
During this presentation, Carlos emphasised the crucial role that Engagement, Transparency, and Communication (E&T&C) play in maintaining or restoring trust among affected communities. Drawing parallels with other cases that happened in te past, Carlos underscored the consequences of lacking a well-defined policy for engaging with the public.
The E&T&C Certification represents a pioneering approach to evaluating the performance of industrial facilities in their interactions with nearby communities. The certification process involves independent third-party audits, ensuring that evaluations are impartial and thorough. By quantifying how well a facility upholds the principles of engagement, transparency, and communication, this certification offers a much-needed tool for industries to build trust and accountability.
"In an era where citizens are increasingly aware of their rights and environmental impacts, it is essential for industrial plants to demonstrate their commitment to good practices," stated Carlos Díaz. "The E&T&C Certification is designed to show that a facility is taking proactive steps to address community concerns and foster a positive relationship."
The CASANZ conference, which spanned several days, included a range of workshops and keynote sessions that provided valuable insights into odour management and air quality regulation. This collaborative environment allowed professionals to share best practices and explore innovative solutions to pressing environmental challenges.
During this event, Carlos was awarded bith the Clean Air Champion Award 2024. According to the organizers "Carlos's passion and proactive promotion of odour management have made a significant impact on the field, making him the recipient of the Air Quality Champion award."
As the discussions concluded, the introduction of the E&T&C Certification signified a significant advancement in the way industrial facilities approach community engagement, paving the way for a more transparent and responsible industry. This initiative not only aims to improve public relations but also to create a sustainable future for both communities and industries.
Toronto, Ontario – The Air & Waste Management Association (A&WMA) hosted its first Odour Management Conference, titled "Embracing Global Perspectives," from September 26 to 28, 2023. A key highlight of the event was the presentation of the innovative E&T&C Certification, aimed at enhancing engagement, transparency, and communication between industrial facilities and their neighbouring communities.
Presented by Carlos Nietzsche Diaz, the certification addressed the urgent need for a comprehensive framework that fosters citizen engagement and improves communication, especially in scenarios involving recurrent environmental impacts. Drawing on lessons learned from the past, Carlos emphasised the critical role that Engagement, Transparency, and Communication (E&T&C) play in maintaining or restoring community trust.
The E&T&C Certification is a pioneering initiative designed to evaluate the performance of industrial facilities in their interactions with surrounding communities. It involves rigorous assessments through independent third-party audits, ensuring that the evaluation process is both impartial and thorough. The ultimate goal is to quantify how well an industrial plant adheres to the principles of engagement, transparency, and communication.
"We are moving away from traditional, opaque industrial practices to a more open and accountable approach," stated Carlos Díaz. "The E&T&C Certification is a significant milestone for industries looking to strengthen their relationships with the communities they impact."
The A&WMA conference offered a diverse range of topics, including odour science, policy and regulation, and community impacts, providing a platform for professionals to share insights and best practices. In addition to discussions on global perspectives, the event highlighted local issues specific to Ontario, enabling international attendees to learn about regional challenges and solutions.
As the conference concluded, the introduction of the E&T&C Certification marked a promising step toward fostering greater transparency and collaboration in the industrial sector, ultimately benefiting both facilities and the communities they serve.
Charlotte, North Carolina – The recently concluded WEF (Water Environment Federation) Odors and Air Pollutants Conference 2023, held from May 17th to 19th, served as a pivotal platform for the launch of the groundbreaking E&T&C Certification. Developed by Ambiente et Odora, the certification aims to enhance engagement, transparency, and communication between Water Resource Recovery Facilities (WRRFs) and their surrounding communities.
During the conference, attendees learned about the urgent need for a robust framework that promotes citizen engagement and effective communication, particularly in situations involving recurring environmental impacts. Highlighting the importance of these elements, the presenters referenced the Volkswagen emissions scandal as a stark reminder of the consequences of neglecting engagement and transparency.
The E&T&C Certification stands out as the first of its kind, specifically designed to assess the performance of WRRFs in relation to their community interactions. The certification process includes independent third-party audits, ensuring that evaluations are impartial and reliable. This methodology aims to provide a comprehensive score reflecting the degree of transparency, communication, and participation of the facilities.
"Our objective is to shift the traditional, opaque mindset in the industry toward one that prioritizes open dialogue and responsibility," stated Carlos Díaz. "The E&T&C Certification is essential for WRRFs looking to build and maintain trust within their communities."
The WEF conference, which attracted nearly 1,000 participants from both the biosolids and odour management sectors, featured simultaneous sessions that made it challenging for attendees to choose which presentations to attend. The organization of the event received high praise, with many acknowledging the attention to detail and the quality of discussions.
As the industry moves forward, the E&T&C Certification represents a significant step toward fostering a more transparent and communicative approach in water resource management, ultimately benefiting both facilities and the communities they serve.
Taormina, Sicily – At the eighth International Conference on Environmental Odour Monitoring & Control (NOSE 2022), held from 11 to 14 September 2022, the innovative E&T&C Certification was introduced. This certification, developed by Carlos Díaz, Cyntia Izquierdo, and Ainhoa Antón from Olores.org, aims to evaluate the engagement, transparency, and communication of industrial activities with nearby communities.
The E&T&C Certification responds to the urgent need for a framework that promotes citizen engagement and enhances communication channels in situations of recurring environmental impact. During the conference, experts highlighted cases like the Volkswagen emissions scandal to illustrate the importance of having robust participation and transparency policies to avoid eroding community trust.
This new protocol marks the first certification of its kind, focusing on assessing the performance of industrial plants in relation to their neighbours. The certification process involves independent third-party audits, ensuring impartiality and objectivity in the analysis, thereby enabling industries to improve their communication and transparency practices.
"Our goal is to shift the traditional opaque industrial mindset towards a more inclusive and responsible approach," stated Carlos Díaz during his presentation. "The E&T&C Certification is a crucial step in ensuring that industrial plants not only operate efficiently but also build trusting relationships with the communities they affect."
The NOSE 2022 conference, renowned for its focus on the latest developments in odour monitoring and control, provided a vital platform for sharing insights and discussing innovations related to environmental impacts. The introduction of the E&T&C Certification signifies a progressive move towards more responsible industrial practices and stronger community relations.
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