The EMS scope that defines the focus on investment of resources of different kinds for a range of environmental objectives and targets relates to ...

• "EMS scope": This refers to the boundaries and extent of the Environmental Management System.
• "defines the focus on investment of resources": This implies the strategic allocation of various resources (e.g., financial, human, technological).
• "for a range of environmental objectives and targets": These are the specific goals the EMS aims to achieve.

The statement describes the fundamental framework and commitment of an organization's environmental management efforts, including its boundaries, resource allocation strategy, and overall direction for setting goals.

• a. the issues that all relevant staff is kept aware of. This relates to communication and awareness, which is an operational aspect, not the foundational definition of scope, resources, and objectives.
• b. the issues pertaining to compliance that must receive attention. Compliance is a critical outcome and driver for an EMS, but the question is about the overarching definition of the system's scope and resource commitment, which is broader than just compliance issues.
• c. the focus of control of documents procedures. This refers to the management of documents themselves (e.g., version control, distribution), not the strategic content that defines the EMS's scope and resource allocation.
• d. the characteristics of an environmental policy. An environmental policy is a formal statement by an organization of its intentions and principles in relation to its overall environmental performance. It provides the framework for setting environmental objectives and targets, commits the organization to continual improvement, and implicitly or explicitly defines the scope of the EMS and the commitment to provide necessary resources. This option aligns well with all aspects mentioned in the question.
• e. the elements that must be included in the documentation on the implementation of an EMS. While the EMS scope, resource allocation, objectives, and targets would be documented, this option refers to the documentation itself, not the strategic document (the policy) that defines these elements. The policy is the source of these characteristics.
• f. the requirements outlined in the procedures that deal with potential and actual non-conformities, preventative and corrective action. This describes specific operational procedures for handling deviations and improvements, which are part of the EMS but do not define its overall scope, resource investment, or objectives/targets.

The environmental policy is the foundational document that sets the overall direction and commitment for the EMS, including its scope, the commitment to resource investment, and the framework for setting objectives and targets.

The correct option is d.

d) the characteristics of an environmental policy.