Implementation of Integrated Environmental Management and Its Specialized Engineering Education in Korea: A Case Study

Abstract

Integrated environmental management (IEM) is an effective approach that comprehensively reviews the impact of pollutants emitted from a facility on the surrounding environment and minimizes pollution emissions through optimal, economically feasible means. The IEM system in Korea, as derived from countries in the European Union and other advanced countries, has been in force since 2017. This study presents the primary components and features of the IEM system in Korea. IEM specialized education is aimed at introducing expertise in the field and equipping learners with various skills upon completion, including in-depth research skills, to meet Korea’s stringent requirements. Regular performance checks and surveys of program participants are conducted to confirm objective results. Based on these data, the program is improved according to expert opinions and contributes numerous engineering inputs for environmentally sustainable management. The education system can be used to develop and apply processes for training system operation personnel in many countries interested in adapting IEM, as well as in Europe, which already utilizes an IEM system.