ENVIRONMENTAL
IMPACT
ASSESSMENT
ENVS304
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Outline of the Course
History of EIA
Philosophy and Principles
Legislation
Procedure
Case Examples
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EIA Definition
EIA is the process of identifying, predicting,
evaluating and mitigating the environmental
impacts (biophysical,social, and other
relevant effects) of a proposed development
or action
International Association for Impact Assessment
(IAIA)
This process is applied prior to major decisions and
commitments being made.
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EIA is therefore a formal and systematic
process for identifying the likely effects of
particular activities or projects on the
environment, and on human health and
livelihoods
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EIA aim
To inform the process of decision-making by
identifying potentially significant
environmental effects and risks of
development proposals.
To prevent, mitigate and offset significant
adverse environmental effects of proposed
projects.
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Purpose of the EIA
Provide information for decision-making on the
environmental consequences of proposed actions
and
Promote environmentally sound and sustainable
development through the identification of
appropriate alternatives and mitigation measures.
by ensuring that natural resources, ecological functions and
human wellbeing are not undermined by development proposals.
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Objectives of EIA
Immediate objectives of EIA are to:
improve the environmental design of the proposal;
ensure that resources are used appropriately and
efficiently;
identify appropriate measures and alternatives for
mitigating the potential impacts of the proposal; and
facilitate informed decision making
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Objectives of EIA
Long term objectives of EIA are to:
protect human health and safety;
avoid irreversible changes and serious damage to the
environment;
safeguard valued resources and ecosystems and
enhance the social acceptability of the project.
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*****
EIA is a PROCESS for decision-
making
***
NOT a formula for preparing a document
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The Development of Environmental Awareness
Initially humans lived in balance with the
environment
Nature could withstand the impacts
Sustainable Living
Situation changed after industrial
revolution what were the causes???
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What were the Causes???
Looking back the causes were obvious:
Population Growth
Natural Resource Pressures
Urbanization
Industrialization
Unrestrained profit motive
These drivers were combining to create
unprecedented environmental damage
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The Development of Environmental Awareness
Carson (1962) book Silent Springs exposed hazards of pesticide
DDT – declining bird populations
Hardin (1968) book Tragedy of the Commons –“population problem
has no technical solution, it requires fundamental extension in
morality”
Erhlich (1968) book The Population Bomb concerns about
exponential population growth (Malthusian theory)
These publications were some of the drivers of awareness to environmental
problems.
Since the 1970s, public awareness has grown to include the effects of ozone
depletion, climate change, and potentially harmful GMOs.
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The Development of Environmental Awareness
Some Ecological Disasters that led to environmental awareness
1952 London smog
1950-60s Minamata disaster (Hg poisoning)
1967 shipwreck (Torrey Canyon) caused oil
pollution in French and English coasts
Look up some more of these events
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Environmental Awareness
Other incidents that occurred after 1970 include:
Bhopal:- an industrial disaster 1984
Chernobyl:- a nuclear accident 1986
Look up some more of these events
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Some Environmental Conventions
1972 UN Conference on Human Environment
Focused on poverty and human-environment interactions
Stockholm Declaration
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
1979 Climate Change Conference
1985 - Hole in the ozone layer
1989 IPCC created
1983 World Commission on Development and the
Environment
Culminated in the Brundtland report (1987)
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Brundtland - Sustainable Development
SD- a key concept that has gained increasing
international acceptance during the recent decades.
The ‘Brundtland’ report one of the key markers to the
EIA process, defined sustainable development as:
‘development that meets the needs of today’s generation
without compromising those of future generations’.
Provided basis for the next big world conference on
environment:
the UN Conference on Environment and Development
(UNCED).
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The Rio Earth Summit
UNCED (Rio 1992) aka the Earth Summit,
established a number of international agreements,
declarations and commitments (look them up), most
important were:
The Rio Declaration on Environment and Development
Agenda 21 principles for Environment and Development
in the 21st century
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Outcomes of the Rio Summit
1. The Rio Declaration on A set of principles which provide guidance on
achieving sustainable development.
Environment and
Development
An international treaty to stabilise greenhouse gas
2. Framework Convention on concentrations in the atmosphere.
Climate Change
A global programme of action for achieving
sustainable development to which countries are
3. Agenda 21 ‘politically committed’ rather than legally obligated.
4. Convention on Biological An international convention with three objectives:
Diversity 1. the conservation of biodiversity
2. the sustainable use of its components, and
3. the equitable sharing of benefits from genetic
resources.
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Agenda 21
The global action plan for sustainable
development which,
Emphasises the importance of integrated environment
and development concerns in decision-making by:
Promoting the use of EIA and other policy
instruments for this purpose.
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Why EIA is important
EIA is formally recognized in Principle 17 of Rio
Declaration on Environment and Development
which states that:
‘Environmental impact assessment, as a national
instrument, shall be undertaken for proposed activities
that are likely to have a significant adverse impact on the
environment and are subject to a decision of a
competent national authority’.
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Why EIA is important
EIA reduces the burden of environmental
impacts and allows development to be
sustainable.
EIA is increasingly becoming important as
a tool for development and decision-
making.
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Why EIA is important
In practice, EIA is applied primarily to prevent or
minimise the adverse effects of major
development proposals,
such as power stations, dams and reservoirs, industrial
complexes, etc.
Also used as a planning tool to promote
sustainable development by;
integrating environmental considerations into a wide range of
proposed actions
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Introduction of EIA Legislation
EIA first introduced in the US National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA, 1969) and became law in 1971, as a
response to:
the rise of environmental movements (1960s) that
raised awareness of the serious environmental
effects of human activities which
were inadequately controlled by existing regulation and
pollution control measures.
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It was clear that something was wrong!!!!!
“30 Years of Environmental Progress,” USEPA, 2000.
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The History of EIA
EIA was later adopted internationally,
culminating in Principle 17 of the Rio Declaration
on Environment and Development.
EIA is now applied in more than 100 countries,
and by all development banks and most
international aid agencies.
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Spread of EIA to other countries
The spread of EIA to other countries gained momentum due
to:
1. Increasing awareness among the general public of
the danger and impacts of major developments and
new technologies
due to a better scientific knowledge and publicity.
2. The increasing activities of environmental pressure
groups.
3. The widespread concern about the sheer scale of
resource developments and their associated
environmental effects.
The above have resulted in more cautious and responsive actions
towards environmental concerns.
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Spread of EIA
US – 1969 Denmark – 1989
Singapore – 1972 New Zealand – 1991
Canada – 1973 Spouth Africa – 1997
Australia – 1974 Seychelles – 1994
Germany – 1975 Malawi – 1996
Thailand – 1975 Zambia – 1997
France – 1976 Zimbabwe – 1997
Phillippines – 1978 Angola – 1998
China- 1979 Mozambique – 1998
Switzerland- 1983 Swaziland – 2000
Netherlands – 1986 Tanzania – 2002
Britain – 1988 Botswana – 2004
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Moves to manage the Environment
International agreements in the form of
conventions and protocols on the
environment.
To date more than 500 international
agreements exist and 60% finalised since
1972.
Look up some of them!!!
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