Environmental Impacat Assessmnt
Scoping Checklist
Group 6
2022-EN-6
2022-EN-9
2022-EN-19
2022-EN-22
1. ADB Environmental Safeguard Regulations (Brief Overview)
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) Safeguard Policy Statement (SPS) 2009 provides a framework
for environmental and social safeguards in projects. The key regulations include:
1. Environmental Safeguards
o Categorization of projects based on environmental impact:
Category A: Significant environmental impacts → Requires full Environmental
Impact Assessment (EIA).
Category B: Less significant impacts → Requires Initial Environmental
Examination (IEE).
Category C: Minimal or no environmental impact → No EIA/IEE required.
o Identifying critical habitats, biodiversity, pollution prevention, and resource efficiency.
2. Social Safeguards
o Protection of Indigenous Peoples and cultural heritage.
o Involuntary resettlement policies with fair compensation.
o Public consultation, grievance redress mechanisms, and compliance monitoring.
3. Environmental Management Plan (EMP)
o Includes mitigation measures, monitoring plans, and reporting obligations.
4. Compliance and Monitoring
o Regular supervision, third-party audits, and impact assessments to ensure compliance
with ADB policies.
Scoping Checklist for EIA Document Based on ADB Regulations
ADB Regulation Presence in EIA
Category Remarks
Requirement Document?
Classification as
Not explicitly Requires classification based on impact
Project Categorization Category A, B, or C
mentioned significance.
based on impact severity
Assessment of air, water,
Covers air quality, noise, vegetation, and
Environmental Baseline soil, and biodiversity ✓ Present
hydrology.
conditions
Biodiversity and Habitat Identification of critical Partially Covers vegetation but lacks specific
habitats and impact on
ADB Regulation Presence in EIA
Category Remarks
Requirement Document?
flora/fauna mentioned critical habitat analysis.
Impact on Local Resettlement impact and Public consultation and impact on local
✓ Present
Communities social considerations infrastructure included.
Stakeholder engagement, Community involvement in project
Public Consultation ✓ Present
disclosure of impacts planning documented.
Air, noise, and water
Pollution and Resource
pollution control ✓ Present EMP outlines mitigation strategies.
Efficiency
measures
Evaluation of project
Alternatives such as no project, road
alternatives (No-project
Alternative Analysis ✓ Present widening, and traffic control
scenario, different
considered.
designs)
Occupational and Public Worker safety measures PPE usage, training, and emergency
✓ Present
Safety and accident prevention protocols included.
Consideration of climate Risk of earthquakes and flooding
Climate Resilience ✓ Present
risks like flooding assessed.
Environmental Monitoring, mitigation, EMP covers waste management, air
✓ Present
Management Plan (EMP) and compliance strategy quality, and noise control.
Adheres to PEPA 1997, NEQS, and
Compliance with ADB
Regulatory Compliance ✓ Present other national regulations but does not
SPS, national laws
explicitly reference ADB SPS.
EIA or IEE Decision Based on Scoping Checklist
Recommended Assessment: EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment)
Reasons for EIA Instead of IEE
1. High Environmental Impact
o Large-scale infrastructure project (underpasses, roadworks) with significant
environmental footprint.
o Potential for noise, air pollution, and habitat disruption.
2. Traffic Congestion and Public Safety Risks
o High traffic volume → Risk of accidents, increased emissions, and commuter delays.
3. Biodiversity and Vegetation Impact
o Loss of tree cover and greenbelt area along Srinagar Highway.
o Need for afforestation plan and mitigation strategies.
4. Pollution and Waste Generation
o Construction waste, asphalt plants, excavation dust, and potential water
contamination.
5. Stakeholder Concerns and Consultation
o Public consultation included, but requires more detailed social impact mitigation
(relocation, economic impact).
Thus, EIA is necessary as per ADB due to the scale, environmental risks, and socio-economic
implications of the project.
2. JICA Environmental and Social Considerations (Brief Overview)
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Guidelines for Environmental and Social
Considerations (2022) outline key principles for sustainable development projects. These guidelines
ensure that funded projects meet environmental and social sustainability standards.
1. Project Categorization
JICA categorizes projects based on their potential environmental and social impacts:
Category A: Projects with significant adverse environmental and social impacts → Requires full
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
Category B: Projects with potential adverse impacts that are less severe than Category A →
Requires Initial Environmental Examination (IEE).
Category C: Projects with minimal or no expected environmental or social impacts → No
EIA/IEE required.
Category FI: Projects where JICA funds a financial intermediary, which then funds sub-projects
→ Requires an environmental and social management framework.
2. Environmental & Social Impact Assessment
JICA mandates that projects must assess and mitigate their impact on:
Air, water, and soil pollution.
Biodiversity, natural habitats, and ecosystem services.
Community displacement, livelihood impacts, and cultural heritage.
Occupational health, safety, and climate resilience.
3. Mitigation & Environmental Management Plan (EMP)
JICA follows the mitigation hierarchy:
Avoid negative impacts where possible.
Minimize or mitigate when avoidance is not feasible.
Compensate for unavoidable damage through remedial measures.
4. Stakeholder Consultation & Grievance Redress Mechanisms (GRM)
Public and affected communities must be engaged throughout the project lifecycle.
Grievance mechanisms should be in place for affected individuals to raise concerns.
5. Compliance & Monitoring
JICA requires projects to follow host country regulations and international environmental
standards.
Environmental monitoring and reporting must continue throughout project execution.
Scoping Checklist for EIA Document Based on JICA Regulations
Category JICA Requirement EIA Document Findings Status
Not explicitly classified.
Categorization as A, B, C, or ❌ Needs classification under
1. Project Classification Based on impacts, likely
FI based on impact severity. JICA framework.
falls under Category A.
Air, noise, and water
Evaluate air, water, soil, and
2. Baseline Environmental quality assessments ✅ (Partial) Needs habitat
biodiversity conditions.
Assessment included. Critical habitat impact assessment.
Identify critical habitats.
assessment missing.
Assess community Public consultation
✅ (Satisfactory) Needs
3. Social & Resettlement displacement, economic conducted. No major
stronger social impact
Impact impact, and land use resettlement, but
mitigation.
changes. Ensure public accessibility concerns
consultation and grievance noted. Grievance
Category JICA Requirement EIA Document Findings Status
mechanisms. mechanism included.
Implement air, noise, and EMP covers pollution
water pollution mitigation control. Worker safety ✅ (Good) Needs detailed
4. Pollution Control & Waste
measures. Ensure proper measures (PPE, air/noise pollution
Management
waste disposal and worker emergency plans) monitoring.
safety. included.
Assess No-Project and Alternatives considered
alternative designs. (No-Project, Road ✅ (Satisfactory) Needs
5. Alternative Analysis &
Consider flooding, Widening, Traffic stronger climate adaptation
Climate Resilience
earthquakes, and extreme Regulation). Flooding and planning.
weather risks. seismic risks assessed.
EMP must include EMP included and
6. Environmental mitigation, monitoring, and aligned with PEPA 1997,
❌ Needs JICA alignment and
Management Plan (EMP) & enforcement measures. NEQS. No explicit
compliance monitoring.
Compliance Ensure compliance with reference to JICA
JICA and national laws. guidelines.
Final Decision: EIA or IEE?
✅ EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) Required
Justification for EIA Instead of IEE:
Reason Explanation Status
Major earthworks, excavation, and construction
1. Significant Environmental
may cause air pollution, noise disruption, and ✅ Confirmed
Impact
biodiversity impact.
2. Traffic & Public Safety Increased congestion and high accident risk due to
✅ Confirmed
Risks rerouting and road closures.
3. Biodiversity & Habitat Tree removal and greenbelt impact require
❌ Needs improvement
Concerns further ecological assessment.
4. Pollution & Waste Asphalt plant emissions, dust control, and
✅ Confirmed
Management Challenges wastewater disposal need strict regulation.
Reason Explanation Status
Public concerns about accessibility and
5. Social & Economic Impacts alternative routes need stronger mitigation ❌ Needs better planning
strategies.
IEE would be insufficient because the project has significant, long-term, and irreversible
environmental and social impacts, making a full EIA necessary under JICA guidelines.
3. World Bank and Social Framework
Key Scoping Guidelines of the World Bank (ESF)
The World Bank's Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) provides scoping guidelines
for assessing environmental and social risks in projects. The key elements include:
1. Environmental and Social Risk Classification
o Categorization of projects as High, Substantial, Moderate, or Low risk.
o Consideration of direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts.
2. Environmental and Social Assessment
o Assessment of risks and impacts through Environmental and Social Impact
Assessments (ESIA) or Initial Environmental Examinations (IEE).
3. Stakeholder Engagement and Information Disclosure
o Public participation in decision-making.
o Transparent information-sharing with affected communities.
4. Mitigation and Environmental Management Plans (EMP)
o Development of mitigation strategies.
o Monitoring and reporting obligations.
5. Community Health, Safety, and Labor Conditions
o Ensuring safe working conditions.
o Addressing community concerns related to project implementation.
6. Biodiversity Conservation
o Protection of ecological resources and ecosystems.
Scoping Checklist for Serena and Convention Centre Intersection Project
Based on World Bank (ESF) Scoping Guidelines
Category Scoping Considerations Relevance to Project
Project Nature, scope, and objectives of the Construction of underpasses
Description project. and realignment of roads.
Environmental Air pollution, noise, soil erosion, and Dust, emissions, and impact on
Aspects biodiversity impact. local flora and fauna.
Water Resources Drainage, water quality, and risk of Possible contamination of
contamination. stormwater and surface runoff.
Social Aspects Land acquisition, displacement, Land use changes and impact
stakeholder consultation. on local businesses.
Traffic and Road safety measures, congestion Reduction of bottlenecks and
Safety management. traffic delays.
Cultural Impact on historical sites and Evaluation of nearby cultural
Heritage structures. sites.
Climate Adaptation to extreme weather Consideration of climate impact
Resilience conditions. on infrastructure.
Risk Determination of IEE or EIA based Evaluation based on World
Classification on potential impacts. Bank guidelines.
IEE or EIA Determination
According to World Bank ESF Guidelines and Pakistan's Environmental Protection
Regulations:
The project involves major infrastructure development, including underpasses, road
realignment, and drainage modifications.
There are significant environmental and social risks, such as air pollution, land
disturbance, and public safety.
Given the scale and potential impacts, this project falls under Environmental Impact
Assessment (EIA) rather than an Initial Environmental Examination (IEE).
Reasons for Conducting EIA Instead of IEE
1. Large-Scale Infrastructure Development:
Involves multiple underpasses, road realignment, and drainage
modifications, requiring detailed environmental assessment.
2. High Environmental & Social Risks (World Bank ESF Guidelines):
Air & noise pollution, water contamination, biodiversity loss, and community
safety risks make an EIA mandatory.
3. World Bank Risk Classification (Category A - High Risk):
Major projects with widespread and long-term environmental impacts require
a full EIA, not a simplified IEE.
4. Legal Obligation Under Pakistan EPA Regulations:
Pakistan IEE/EIA Regulations, 2000 mandate EIA for large infrastructure
projects, making it a legal requirement.
4. European Union (EU)
Key Scoping Guidelines of the EU (Directive 2014/52/EU)
The EU Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive 2014/52/EU, which amends
Directive 2011/92/EU, provides guidelines for scoping in environmental assessments. The key
elements include:
1. Screening for EIA/IEE Requirement
o Projects are categorized into Annex I (mandatory EIA) and Annex II (case-by-
case EIA determination based on screening criteria).
2. Identification of Significant Environmental Effects
o Consideration of direct and indirect effects on biodiversity, air, water, climate,
land, population, and cultural heritage.
3. Scoping Process
o Developers must submit key project details, and competent authorities determine
the scope of the EIA.
4. Public Participation and Consultation
o Ensuring transparency, public involvement, and stakeholder engagement in
decision-making.
5. Mitigation and Monitoring Measures
o Plans to avoid, reduce, or offset significant adverse effects of the project.
Scoping Checklist for Serena and Convention Centre Intersection Project
(Based on EU Guidelines)
Category Scoping Considerations (EU EIA Relevance to Project
Guidelines)
Project Nature, scale, and location of the Major infrastructure project with
Description project. underpasses and road realignment.
Screening for Determining if the project falls Likely Annex II, requiring case-
EIA/IEE under Annex I or II. by-case screening.
Environmental Air quality, water resources, Impact on air pollution, water
Aspects biodiversity, and climate resilience. drainage, and local vegetation.
Land Use and Changes in land use, soil erosion, Soil excavation, construction
Soil and landscape impact. waste, and erosion risks.
Social and Displacement, traffic management, Traffic congestion relief but
Community and public safety. potential short-term disruptions.
Impact
Cultural Protection of historical and cultural Identification of any heritage sites
Heritage sites. near the project.
Climate Change Effects of climate change on Consideration of flooding risks
Adaptation project infrastructure. and resilience measures.
Stakeholder Public participation and Community engagement and
Consultation transparency in decision-making. government approvals.
Risk Determination of IEE or EIA based Evaluation under EU guidelines
Classification on project scale and impact. for classification.
IEE OR EIA Determination
According to EU EIA Directive 2014/52/EU, the Serena and Convention Centre Intersection
Project falls under Annex II, meaning it requires case-by-case screening to determine whether
an EIA is necessary.
Reasons for Conducting EIA Instead of IEE:
Significant Environmental and Social Impacts (e.g., air quality, traffic, biodiversity).
Falls in a Sensitive Urban Area (major intersection in Islamabad).
Potential for Long-Term Effects on Infrastructure and Land Use.
EU Screening Criteria Suggests the Need for a Full EIA.
Thus, as per EU guidelines, this project requires a full Environmental Impact Assessment
(EIA) rather than an Initial Environmental Examination (IEE).