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ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESMENT AND ITS ADVANTAGES
An environmental impact assessment (EIA) is an assessment of the possible positive or
negative impact that a proposed project may have on the environment, considering natural,
Social and Economic aspects.
According to The International Association of Impact Assessment (IAIA)- The process of
identifying, predicting, evaluating and mitigating the biophysical, social, and other relevant
effects of development proposals prior to major decisions being taken and commitments
made.
EIA is intended to prevent or minimize potentially adverse environmental impacts and
enhance the overall quality of a project.
Essentially, environmental impact assessment (EIA) is an environmental decision support
tool, which provides information on the likely impacts of development projects to those who
take the decision as to whether the project should be authorised.
The purpose of an EIA is to determine the potential environmental, social, and health effects
of a proposed development, so that those who take the decisions in developing the project
and in authorising the project are informed about the likely consequences of their
decisions before they take those decisions and are thereby more accountable.
It is intended to facilitate informed and transparent decision-making while seeking to avoid,
reduce or mitigate potential adverse impacts through the consideration of alternative
options, sites or processes.
Environmental impacts:
1. Depletion of natural resources.
2. Destruction of habitats.
3. Change in ph., oxygen level, toxicity of water.
4. Increase in toxicity of air.
5. Global warming.
6. Ozone depletion.
PROCESS OF EIA
Project Screening.
Screening is the process used to determine whether a proposed project or activity requires
an EIA and, if so, what level of environmental review is necessary.
Screening criteria are based upon:
1. Scales of investment 2. Type of development 3. Location of development
Scoping
This stage identifies key issues and impact that should be further investigated. This stage
also defines the boundary and the time limit of the study. It is done by consultant in
consultation with the project proponent and guidance by the agency.
It is the process of determining which are the most critical issues to study and will involve
community participation to some degree. It is at this early stage that EIA can most strongly
influence the outline proposal.
Baseline Data Collection
Impact prediction is a way of ‘mapping’ the environmental consequences of the significant
aspects of the projects and its alternatives. Environmental impact can never be predicted
with absolute certainty, and this is all the more reason to consider all possible factors and
take all possible precautions for reducing the degree of uncertainty.
Baseline information is important reference point for conducting EIA.
SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE AND ENVIRONMENT – NOTES, LIMA M.T.
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The term "baseline" refers to the collection of background information on the biophysical,
social and economic settings proposed project area.
Baseline data are collected for two main purposes:
to provide a description of the status and trends of environmental factors (e.g., air pollutant
concentrations) against which predicted changes can be compared and evaluated in terms
of importance, and
to provide a means of detecting actual change by monitoring once a project has been
initiated
Identification of Environmental Impacts
Biological and Physio-
chemical Impacts
Social Impact
demographic impacts,
socio-economic impacts,
institutional impacts,
gender impact
Cultural Impacts
Health Impact
Economic Impact
labour force requirements, size of investment,
likely demographic changes
Impact Prediction Comparison of Alternatives
Considerations for Impact Prediction
Magnitude of Impact
Extent of Impact
Duration of Impact
Uncertainty in Impact Prediction
For every project possible alternative should be identified and environmental attributes
compared.
No Project Option
Location/Alignment Alternatives
Process/Design Alternatives
Demand/Activity Alternatives
Scheduling Alternatives
Input Alternatives
Mitigation Measures
Mitigation plan for the selected option have to be drawn, and is supplemented with
the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) to guide towards, Environmental
Improvement.
recommended actions to reduce, avoid or offset the potential adverse environmental
consequences of development activities
maximize project benefits
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minimize undesirable impacts
Mitigation measures
requires funding
Mitigation measures should be integrated in the project design
Mitigation measures is not limited to one point in the EIA process
Link between mitigation and monitoring.
Public Consultation and Participation
Public Hearing after EIA report is made public must be informed and consulted on the
proposed development. Summary of the EIA report have to be provided to the people
affected due to the proposed project:
Local people
Project beneficiaries
NGOs
Voluntary organizations
Private sector
National/local governments
Scientist/experts
Private sector
Environmental Monitoring
Monitoring should be done during both construction and operation phase of a project.
This ensure that the commitments made are compiled and the if the prediction made in the
EIA report are correct.
Corrective actions should be taken if the impact exceeds the predicted levels.
An activity undertaken to provide specific information on the characteristics and functions
of environmental and social variables in space and time
Environmental monitoring is therefore one of the most important components of an EIA
Ensuring that impacts do not exceed the legal standards
Checking the implementation of mitigation measures in the manner described in the EIA
report
Providing early warning of potential environmental damages.
Environmental Auditing
An audit assesses the actual environmental impact
The accuracy of prediction
The effectiveness of environmental impact mitigation
Enhancement measures
The functioning of monitoring mechanisms.
ADVANTAGES
Modify and improve design
Ensure efficient resource use
Enhance social aspects
Identify measures for monitoring and managing impacts
Inform decision-making
Provide justification for a proposal
Lower project costs in the long-term
Avoided impacts and violations of laws and regulations.
Increased project acceptance
Avoided treatment/clean-up costs.
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EIA can aid the most suitable site in terms of benefit maximization and
reduction of harmful effects.
Facilitates informed decision making by providing clear, well-structured dispassionate
analysis of the effect and consequences of proposed projects.
Pre-emption or early withdrawal of unsound proposals.
Assists in the selection of alternatives, including the selection of the best practicable and
most environmentally friendly option.
Results in best practice prediction and mitigation of adverse effects of projects.
Influences both project selection and design by screening out environmentally unsound
projects, as well as modifying feasible projects - Mitigation of negative environmental and
social impacts.
Guides formal approval, including the establishment of terms and conditions of project
implementation and follow- up.
Mitigation of negative environmental and social impacts.
Serves as an adaptive, organizational learning process, in which the lessons of experience
are feedback into policy, institutional and project design - Enhancement of positive aspects
DISADVANTAGES
Time consuming
Costly
Little public participation in
actual implementation
Unavailability for reliable data
(mostly in developing countries
Too focused to scientific analysis
(sometime)
Compliance monitoring after EIA
is seldom carried out.
Delay in implementation (risk)
Introduction of EIA might disrupt
current planning and decision
process.
Security & commercial risks in
context of certain types of
actions
Resource requirements are high
Accurate assessments for impact
may not be possible
Gaps in knowledge and database
in certain aspects.
SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE AND ENVIRONMENT – NOTES, LIMA M.T.
