Aims and objectives of EIA can F modify

Aims and objectives of EIA can: F modify and improve design F ensure efficient resource use F enhance social aspects F identify key impacts and measures for mitigating them F inform decision-making and conditionsetting F avoid serious and irreversible damage to the environment F protect human health and safety UNEP Training Resource Manual 1

Environmental impacts F type and nature F magnitude F extent F timing F duration F uncertainty F reversibility F significance UNEP Training Resource Manual 2

Integration within EIA The EIA process addresses the following environmental effects: F biophysical and resource use F social and cultural F health and safety F economic and fiscal F landscape and visual F indigenous peoples’ rights and traditional areas UNEP Training Resource Manual 3

US National Environmental Policy Act (proclaimed in 1970) NEPA called for: F consideration of environmental values in decision making F use of a systematic, interdisciplinary approach F a detailed statement on: - the environmental impact of proposals - any adverse effects which cannot be avoided - alternatives to the proposed action F making the statement available to the public. This process became known as Environmental Impact Assessment UNEP Training Resource Manual 4

Evolution of EIA F early 1970 s — initial development F 1970 s to 1980 s — increasing scope F mid to late 1980 s — process strengthening and policy integration F mid 1990 s — towards sustainability (SEA, Biodiversity) UNEP Training Resource Manual 5

EIA—Three core values F integrity - the EIA process will conform to agreed standards F utility - the EIA process will provide balanced, credible information for decision-making F sustainability - the EIA process will result in environmental safeguards Source: Sadler, 1996 UNEP Training Resource Manual 6

EIA — guiding principles The EIA process should be: F purposive – meeting its aims and objectives F focused – concentrating on the effects that matter F adaptive – responding to issues and realities F participative – fully involving the public F transparent – clear and easily understood Source: Sadler, 1996; IAIA/IEMA 1999 UNEP Training Resource Manual 7

EIA — guiding principles (continued) F rigorous – employing ‘best practicable’ methodology F practical – establishing mitigation measures that work F credible – carried out with objectivity and professionalism F efficient – imposing least cost burden on proponents Source: Sadler, 1996; IAIA/IEMA 1999 UNEP Training Resource Manual 8

Key operating principles of good EIA practice EIA should: F be applied to all proposals with significant impacts F begin early in the project cycle F address relevant environmental, social and health impacts F identify and take account of public views F result in a statement of impacts and mitigation measures F facilitate informed decision making and condition setting Source: Sadler, 1996 UNEP Training Resource Manual 9

UNEP Training Resource Manual 10 Topic 1 Slide 10

The EIA process comprises F screening - to decide if and at what level EIA should be applied F scoping - to identify the important issues and prepare terms of reference F impact analysis - to predict the effects of a proposal and evaluate their significance F mitigation - to establish measures to prevent, reduce or compensate for impacts UNEP Training Resource Manual 11

The EIA process (continued) 1. reporting - to prepare the information necessary for decision-making 2. review - to check the quality of the EIA report. 3. decision-making - to approve (or reject) the proposal and set conditions 4. follow up – to monitor, manage and audit the impacts of project implementation 5. public involvement - to inform and consult with stakeholders UNEP Training Resource Manual 12

Benefits of EIA include: F environmentally sound and sustainable design F better compliance with standards F savings in capital and operating costs F reduced time and costs for approvals F increased project acceptance F better protection of the environment and human health UNEP Training Resource Manual 13

Delays are caused during EIA when: F the EIA is commenced too late in the project cycle F the terms of reference are poorly drafted F the EIA is not managed to a schedule F the EIA report is inadequate and needs to be upgraded F there is a lack of technical data UNEP Training Resource Manual 14

Ensuring fairness in the EIA process F register consultants’ names and terms of reference F name consultants and their expertise in the EIA report F publish the terms of reference in the EIA report F make EIA reports available to the public F publish lists of screening and final decisions along with conditions for approval UNEP Training Resource Manual 15