Sustainable development is still seen by authorities as an abstract concept. Local Environmental Auditing will help put it into practice. The book provides a comprehensive guide to monitoring the state of the local environment and establishing the impacts of local actions on global issues, and shows how current local authority policy and practice can be adapted to recognize environmental priorities. The authors provide both a guide to and an assessment of the subject: they link the processes with the issues, with specific information on carrying out the audit (including checklists, case studies and standards) and a detailed discussion of the issues and choices which local authorities may face. Clearly structured and accessible, this will be an essential handbook, both for local government departments and other local organizations, and students in a wide range of subjects, including environmental science and health, town planning, urban and rural studies, social science and politics.

Audits provide essential accountability and transparency over government programs. Given the current challenges facing governments and their programs, the oversight provided through auditing is more critical than ever. Government auditing provides the objective analysis and information needed to make the decisions necessary to help create a better future. The professional standards presented in this 2018 revision of Government Auditing Standards (known as the Yellow Book) provide a framework for performing high-quality audit work with competence, integrity, objectivity, and independence to provide accountability and to help improve government operations and services. These standards, commonly referred to as generally accepted government auditing standards (GAGAS), provide the foundation for government auditors to lead by example in the areas of independence, transparency, accountability, and quality through the audit process. This revision contains major changes from, and supersedes, the 2011 revision.

Environmental auditing directly affects a wide range of companies, involved in property transactions or acquisition, as part of the due diligence process - vital in the disposal or divestment of companies. Understanding the auditing process is essential if professional standards are to be maintained, strict legal requirements met and best results achieved. This book is designed to assist both auditors and managers meet their objectives, in gathering and assessing relevant information, utilising internal company resources and meeting legal and professional obligations, in the most efficient and cost effective manner. It explains the process and techniques of auditing, in relation to manufacturing and industrial processes, with particular regard to the legislative controls and regulations governing: contaminated land, pollution control, waste management, hazardous and toxic substances. Company managers, specialist organisations, central and local government bodies, professional advisers - each has an interest in ensuring environmental standards are met and compliance fully observed.