Because of the Environmental Policy's importance, who should draft it to ensure compliance at all levels?

• A. The ship's captain
• B. External consultants only
• C. Junior staff
• D. The Senior Management of the Company

Answer: (D)

The key idea is that environmental policy needs top-level backing to be effective across the whole organization. When senior management drafts and approves the Environmental Policy, it carries the authority of the company, aligning with legal requirements, strategic goals, and resource allocation. This backing ensures the policy is properly communicated, implemented, and enforced at all levels, from frontline operations to corporate governance, and it provides a clear framework for accountability and continuous improvement.

If the policy were drafted by a ship’s captain, junior staff, or external consultants only, it would lack the broad organizational mandate and resources needed to ensure company-wide compliance. The captain may influence a ship’s safety and environmental practices, but a single ship role doesn’t set policy for the entire organization. Junior staff can contribute ideas, but they don’t have the authority to establish standards across all departments. External consultants can draft a strong policy, but without ownership and approval from senior management, it may not be properly integrated into governance, budgeting, and enforcement mechanisms.