Environmental Risk Assessments (H1, SCAIL, D1)

Environmental Permit Risk Assessments for Emissions to Air, Discharges to Water and Site-Specific Impacts

Environmental Risk Assessments provide the evidence regulators expect when applying for or varying Environmental Permits. They demonstrate that emissions and discharges have been identified, impacts assessed, and controls applied so risks to people, property and the environment are acceptable. In the UK, risk assessment frameworks commonly include the H1 risk assessment approach (and supporting guidance), screening tools where appropriate (including SCAIL for sensitive habitats where relevant), and water discharge risk assessment guidance for bespoke permit applications.

When an Environmental Risk Assessment Is Required

Risk assessments are typically required where:

• You are applying for a bespoke Environmental Permit or a significant variation
• Your activity includes emissions to air that require screening or detailed assessment
• You have discharges to surface water and require a bespoke risk assessment approach
• Odour, noise or dust risk needs to be assessed beyond standard rules coverage
• Regulators request improved evidence or your submission needs strengthening to avoid delays
• Project changes introduce new hazards, pathways or receptors that must be assessed

Purpose of an Environmental Risk Assessment

The purpose is to demonstrate control and defensibility: identify sources, pathways and receptors, assess significance, screen out low-risk releases where appropriate, and define mitigation and monitoring that keeps risk acceptable. A strong risk assessment reduces regulator questions and helps your permit progress efficiently.

What the Risk Assessment Typically Covers

Depending on scope and activity, an Environmental Risk Assessment can include:

• Emissions to air screening and/or modelling support (linked to Dispersion Modelling)
• Stack height justification where required (see H1 Stack Height Determination)
• Surface water discharge risk assessment where relevant to bespoke permit applications
• Odour risk assessment and management controls (see Odour Management Plans)
• Noise risk assessment where required by receptors and permit conditions
• Accident and incident risk (spills, firewater runoff, abnormal operation scenarios)

How Environmental Risk Assessments Work in Practice

We structure risk assessments around regulator decision-making: clear scope, clear inputs, transparent assumptions, and a controlled output format. Where risks cannot be screened out, we define what additional evidence is required (e.g., dispersion modelling, monitoring proposals, management plans) and ensure mitigation is practical and auditable.

Standards, Guidance and Regulatory Context

Environmental permit risk assessments commonly align to GOV.UK Risk assessments for your environmental permit, Risk assessments for specific activities, ADMLC H1 Risk Assessment Tool, Surface water pollution risk assessment, and SCAIL screening tools for habitat deposition screening where relevant.

What the Service Delivers

• A structured risk assessment aligned to your permitting objective and site context
• Clear identification of sources, pathways and receptors with risk conclusions
• Screening outputs and justification (or clear rationale for detailed assessment)
• Mitigation, monitoring and management controls that are practical and auditable
• A permit-ready report format suitable for regulator engagement

Limitations and Scope

Risk assessments depend on data quality and representativeness. Where inputs are uncertain or operations vary materially, we make assumptions explicit and recommend proportionate sensitivity testing or additional evidence to improve defensibility.