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EIA Training for Environmental Professionals

The document discusses the aims and process of environmental impact assessment (EIA). EIA aims to identify environmental impacts, inform decision-making, and ensure projects are designed efficiently and sustainably. The core EIA process involves screening projects, scoping impacts, analyzing effects, developing mitigations, producing reports, undertaking reviews, making decisions, and monitoring implementation. Public participation is also an important part of the process.

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Min Chan Moon
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293 views15 pages

EIA Training for Environmental Professionals

The document discusses the aims and process of environmental impact assessment (EIA). EIA aims to identify environmental impacts, inform decision-making, and ensure projects are designed efficiently and sustainably. The core EIA process involves screening projects, scoping impacts, analyzing effects, developing mitigations, producing reports, undertaking reviews, making decisions, and monitoring implementation. Public participation is also an important part of the process.

Uploaded by

Min Chan Moon
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Aims and objectives of EIA

EIA can:

 modify and improve design


 ensure efficient resource use
 enhance social aspects
 identify key impacts and
measures for mitigating them
 inform decision-making and
condition-setting
 avoid serious and irreversible
damage to the environment
 protect human health and safety

 UNEP Training Resource  Topic 1
Environmental impacts

 type and nature


 magnitude
 extent
 timing
 duration
 uncertainty
 reversibility
 significance

 UNEP Training Resource  Topic 1
Integration within EIA

The EIA process addresses the


following environmental effects:

 biophysical and resource use


 social and cultural
 health and safety
 economic and fiscal
 landscape and visual
 indigenous peoples’ rights and
traditional areas

 UNEP Training Resource  Topic 1
US
National Environmental
Policy Act
(proclaimed in 1970)

NEPA called for:


 consideration of environmental values
in decision making
 use of a systematic, interdisciplinary
approach
 a detailed statement on:
- the environmental impact of
proposals
- any adverse effects which
cannot be avoided
- alternatives to the proposed
action
 making the statement available to the
public.

This process became known as


Environmental Impact
Assessment

 UNEP Training Resource  Topic 1
Evolution of EIA

 early 1970s — initial development


 1970s to 1980s — increasing
scope
 mid to late 1980s — process
strengthening and policy
integration
 mid 1990s — towards
sustainability (SEA, Biodiversity)

 UNEP Training Resource  Topic 1
EIA—Three core values

 integrity - the EIA process will


conform to agreed standards
 utility - the EIA process will
provide balanced, credible
information for decision-making
 sustainability - the EIA process
will result in environmental
safeguards

Source: Sadler, 1996

 UNEP Training Resource  Topic 1
EIA — guiding principles

The EIA process should be:

 purposive – meeting its aims and


objectives
 focused – concentrating on the
effects that matter
 adaptive – responding to issues
and realities
 participative – fully involving the
public
 transparent – clear and easily
understood

Source: Sadler, 1996; IAIA/IEMA 1999

 UNEP Training Resource  Topic 1
EIA — guiding principles
(continued)

 rigorous – employing ‘best


practicable’ methodology
 practical – establishing mitigation
measures that work
 credible – carried out with
objectivity and professionalism
 efficient – imposing least cost
burden on proponents

Source: Sadler, 1996; IAIA/IEMA 1999

 UNEP Training Resource  Topic 1
Key operating principles of
good EIA practice

EIA should:
 be applied to all proposals with
significant impacts
 begin early in the project cycle
 address relevant environmental,
social and health impacts
 identify and take account of public
views
 result in a statement of impacts
and mitigation measures
 facilitate informed decision
making and condition setting

Source: Sadler, 1996

 UNEP Training Resource  Topic 1
Generalised EIA
Process Flowchart

Proposal
Identification

Screening

Initial No EIA
EIA Required
environmental
examination
Scoping *Public involvement

Impact analysis

*Public involvement typically


Mitigation occurs at these points. It may
also occur at any other stage
and impact of the EIA Process.
management

EIA Report

Review
*Public involvement
Resubmit

Redesign Decision-making

Information from this process


contributes to effective future EIA
Not approved Approved

Implementation and
follow up

UNEP Training Resource Manual


Topic 1 Slide 10
The EIA process

The EIA process comprises


 screening - to decide if and at
what level EIA should be applied
 scoping - to identify the
important issues and prepare
terms of reference
 impact analysis - to predict the
effects of a proposal and
evaluate their significance
 mitigation - to establish
measures to prevent, reduce or
compensate for impacts

 UNEP Training Resource  Topic 1
The EIA process
(continued)

 reporting - to prepare the


information necessary for decision-
making
 review - to check the quality of the
EIA report.
 decision-making - to approve (or
reject) the proposal and set
conditions
 follow up – to monitor, manage and
audit the impacts of project
implementation
 public involvement - to inform and
consult with stakeholders

 UNEP Training Resource  Topic 1
Benefits of EIA include:

 environmentally sound and


sustainable design
 better compliance with standards
 savings in capital and operating
costs
 reduced time and costs for
approvals
 increased project acceptance
 better protection of the
environment and human health

 UNEP Training Resource  Topic 1
Delays are caused during EIA
when:

 the EIA is commenced too late in


the project cycle
 the terms of reference are poorly
drafted
 the EIA is not managed to a
schedule
 the EIA report is inadequate and
needs to be upgraded
 there is a lack of technical data

 UNEP Training Resource  Topic 1
Ensuring fairness in the EIA
process

 register consultants’ names and


terms of reference
 name consultants and their
expertise in the EIA report
 publish the terms of reference in
the EIA report
 make EIA reports available to the
public
 publish lists of screening and
final decisions along with
conditions for approval

 UNEP Training Resource  Topic 1

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