Best Practicable Environmental Option
The Best Practicable Environmental Option (BPEO) is the procedure which establishes, for a given set of objectives, the option that provides the most benefit or least damage to the environment as a whole, at acceptable cost, in the long-term as well as the short-term. It is used extensively in decision making for procuring authorities and planning authorities.
Definition
the Best Practicable Environmental option is defined by the UK's Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution (RCEP) as 'the outcome of a systematic and consultative decison-making procedure whcih emphasises the protection and conservation of the environment across land, air and water'.
In essence, BPEO identifies the waste management or environmental option that:
- delivers the most environemntal benefit; or
- causes the least environmental harm,
- at an acceptable cost over both the long and short term.
Purpose
BPEO was developed to guide waste management, planning and pollution control decisions. It is intended to:
- compare different disposal or treatment options
- consider impacts across air, land and water
- Balance environmental, economic and social factors
- Support sustainable development principles.
How BPEO differs from BAT (Best Available Techniques)
BPEO is about choosing the best environmental option overall and forms part of a strategic assessment. BAT ensures installations use the best techniques to minimise emissions and part of the Environmental Permitting regime.
BAT is also a legal requirement for regulated installations while BPEO is more of a strategic planning tool.References:
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