Environmental Due Diligence
When analysing business opportunities, investors need to assess the associated risks, including environmental risks. A sound knowledge of the environmental characteristics of the property, including exposure to climate change and soil quality, is essential to evaluating investment viability. In this sense, it is crucial to assess all risks associated with the site, as well as environmental factors and soil remediation costs, amongst other issues, such as to determine whether these aspects are likely to compromise the investment. By providing answers to these questions we help investors make the best decisions.
A growing awareness of environmental issues and the increasingly rigorous legislation pertaining to this domain have brought environmental matters to the fore, forcing investors to adopt precautionary measures and employ due diligence, such as to prevent possible delays and/or significant costs. Only by following these steps will investors be able to develop adequate business plans and ensure project feasibility and profitability..
Environmental analysis involves the identification and assessment of all potential risks that may affect a given business operation or the development of a new project, providing investors with data that will allow them to make informed, unequivocal decisions. This analysis will provide information regarding the eventual obligation to perform an Environmental Impact Assessment; soil characteristics, such as to determine the presence of eventual contamination and the required remediation measures, which will entail the submission of a Permit application; the impact of climate change; and noise issues, amongst other relevant data.
Environmental Due Diligence consists of two stages:
Stage I: our team of specialists will conduct an exhaustive analysis of all documentation pertaining to the project site and the surrounding area, as well as investigate the history of the asset in question (plot or building), after visiting the site. A report will be subsequently produced, based on this information, which will include all data collected, applicable environmental legislation, study conclusions and recommendations.
Stage II: this stage shall be justified if potential soil contamination is identified and will depend on the objectives set by the client. The studies conducted include a detailed analysis of potential contamination, involving the collection and testing of soil and/or water samples, such as to determine the volume and layout of contaminated soil; an assessment of the associated risks for future users, based on the type of use; the identification of the best project/decontamination solutions; and an assessment of the eventual need to obtain a remediation works permit. The ultimate purpose of these activities is to minimise the costs associated with the remediation process and disposal of contaminated soils.
Through this service, Engexpor identifies environmental risks in a timely manner, reducing surprise factors that might render projects unfeasible and allowing investors to consider all risks involved and adopt precautionary measures in decision-making processes and eventual negotiations.