SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS
Lecture 11: Introduction to Environment Impact Assessment (EIA)
By-
Prof. Bhola Ram Gurjar
Dept. of Civil Engineering
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Contents
• Development V/s Environment ?
• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): A Middle Path !
• Evolution of Environmental Impact Assessment
– Worldwide
– India
• Types of EIA
• Classification of Environmental Impacts
• Forms of Impact Assessments
• Benefits and Flaws of EIA
• Positive and Negative Externalities of EIA
• Conclusion
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What will you choose between Development & Environment?
Development V/s Environment
Poverty Reduction
Employment
Environment Protection
Ease of Living
Biodiversity
Human Health
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An Everlasting Debate: Development Vs. Environment
Unplanned
developments
negatively affects
the Environment
What is the solution???
Image Source: Delhigreens.com
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Development V/s Environment: An Example of the Case of
Aarey Forest
• Approx. 800-acre land in Mumbai city
• 2600 trees need to be cut for setting up metro shed.
• Protest erupted after 1500 trees were cut down.
• Later government changed the decision and
declared it as reserved forest land. Image: Aarey
Forest
Source: Economic
What should be basis of such decisions? Times
Source: (Financial express)
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Development Vs. Environment: An Example of the Case
of Kudankulam Power Plant
• The Kudankulam Nuclear Power plant
was a project to reduce dependence on
coal based thermal power plants in India.
• Villagers protested it citing negative
environmental impact.
• An example of a Case of regional/national Image: Nuclear Power Plant
Source: Indian Express
interest vs. local interests.
What should be basis of such decisions?
Source: The Hindu (https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/The-story-of-Kudankulam-From-1988-to-2016/article14564027.ece)
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Philosophy of Madhyam-Pratipada
• Buddha suggested: “Enlightenment by avoiding
the extremes of self-gratification on one hand and
self-mortification on the other” Source: (Britannica)
The Concept of middle path
The answer for our debate between
development goals vs. environmental
goals is by balancing the two sides.
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Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): A Middle Path!
Environment Development
The Solution is EIA
EIA can be termed as balancing process between
developmental and environmental goals.
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What is Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)?
• EIA is a tool for decision making to find out the best
possible alternative in terms of environmental as well
as the economic costs & benefits.
Definition of EIA
Environmental impact assessment (EIA) is a process of
identifying, predicting, evaluating, and mitigating the
biophysical, social, and other relevant effects of
proposed projects and physical activities prior to major
decisions and commitments being made.
Source: (Barry Sadler, 1996)
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Need for Environmental Impact Assessment Studies
EIA aims to minimize Environmental
and social impacts and can enhance
Sustainability development in the
area, where large-scale projects are
implemented.
Source: (IISD, 2016)
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Need for Environmental Impact Assessment studies
To consider
the Impacts of
Transportation
Sector in
Planning
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Purpose of Environment Impact Assessment
To facilitate decision- To aid in the formation of To be an instrument for
making development sustainable development
- Systematic examination of - Framework for considering location, - Overall quality of life
the environmental design and environmental issues in - Continuing access to
implications of a proposed parallel. natural resources
action, and sometimes - Aid to the formulation of - Avoiding lasting
alternatives, before a developmental actions environmental damage
decision is taken. - Environmentally sensitive
developments
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Core Values of EIA
Integrity
• Should be fair, unbiased and balanced
Utility Sustainability
• Provide a balanced and • Should result in
credible information for decisions protecting
decision making Core values of EIA the environment
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Components of Environment Impact Assessment
1. Resource capability and
ecosystem mapping
2. Natural hazard and landscape
sensitivity evaluation
3. EIA and other forms of Impact
Assessment
4. Ecosystem approaches ex.
Critical zone, habitat supply
etc.
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Timeline of Environmental Impact Assessment
• Union Ministry of
• EIA was made legislation • Espoo Convention Environment & Forests, GOI • The Ministry of Environment,
in the US in the National • To consider Trans- under Environment Forests and Climate Change
Environmental Policy Act boundary effects in (Protection) Act 1986, (MoEFCC) notified new EIA
(NEPA) EIA studies promulgated EIA notification legislation
1969 1991 1994 2006
• The MOEFCC notified
2020 new EIA draft
1960’s 1980’s 1992 1997
• EIA as part of a • World Bank • Rio Declaration • Public hearing
rational decision adopted EIA • UN declares EIA as a was made
making process for major national decision compulsory
• A technical evaluation development making instrument before impact
that would lead to projects assessment
decision making • UNEP adopts was finalized
EIA studies
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Evolution of EIA in Countries Worldwide
Period Development of EIA
Pre-1970 • Project review based on the technical/engineering and
economic analysis.
• Limited consideration given to environmental
consequences.
Early/mid • EIA introduced by NEPA in 1969-70 in US.
– 1970s • Standard methodologies for impact analysis developed (e.g.
matrix, checklist and network).
• Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Columbia became the
first countries to follow NEPA in 1973-1974.
• Australia legislated EIA, whereas Canada and New Zealand
established administrative procedures.
Source: (IAIA, 1996)
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Evolution of EIA in Countries Worldwide
Period Development of EIA
Late 1970 • More formalized guidance.
and early • Other industrial and developing countries introduced formal
1980s EIA requirements
• (France, 1976; Philippines, 1977), began to use the process
informally or experimentally (Netherlands, 1978) or adopted
elements, such as impact statements or reports, as part of
development applications for planning permission (UK, 1988).
• Use of EIA by developing countries (Brazil, Philippines, China,
Indonesia)
• Strategic Environment Assessment (SEA), risk analysis
included in EIA processes.
• Provision for public involvement.
• Coordination with land use planning processes.
Source: (IAIA, 1996)
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Evolution of EIA in Countries Worldwide
Period Development of EIA
Mid 1980s • In Europe, EC Directive on EIA establishes basic principle
to 1990 and procedural requirements for all member states.
Increasing efforts to address cumulative effects.
• World Bank and other leading international aid agencies
establish EIA requirements.
• Spread of EIA process in Asia
1990s • Requirement to consider trans-boundary effects under
Espoo convention.
• Increased use of GIS and other information technologies
(IT).
• Sustainability principle and global issues received increased
attention.
• India adopted the EIA formally.
Source: (IAIA, 1996)
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Evolution of EIA- Key International agreements
Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a
Trans-boundary Context (Espoo, 1991).
• This is the first multi-lateral EIA treaty.
• Treated EIA in a trans-boundary context and entered into
force in 1997.
• The Espoo Convention sets out the obligations of Parties to
assess the environmental impact of certain activities at an
early stage of planning.
• It also lays down the general obligation of states to notify
and consult each other on all major projects under
consideration that are likely to have a significant adverse
environmental impact across borders.
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Evolution of EIA- Key International agreements (cont’d..)
Rio Declaration (1992)
• Principle 17 of Rio Declaration on Environment and
Development calls for use of EIA as a national
decision making instrument to be used in assessing
whether proposed activities are likely to have
significant adverse impact on the environment.
• It also emphasized the role of competent national
authority in the decision making process
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EIA Timeline in India
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Types of EIA
• Comprehensive Environmental
Types of Impact Assessment includes
collection of data for various
EIA components for four seasons
i.e. Monsoon, Post-monsoon,
Rapid Comprehensive Winter and Summer.
EIA EIA • Time taking process
• Conducted only if required and
asked by the assessment body.
• Rapid Environmental Impact Assessment (REIA) is done for
quick assessment of likely adverse impacts.
• Mostly conducted at the initiation of the new activity.
• Rapid Environmental Impact Assessment study covers one
season baseline data for various environmental
components i.e. Air , Noise, water, land, Biological and
Socio-economic including parameters of human interest.
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Objective-based Classification of EIA
EIA can be classified
Regional Sectoral on the basis of
objectives of the
Project project or its theme.
Strategic
Level
Life Cycle
Assessment
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Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) • Highlights that environmental concerns
enter every step of the process.
• Examines environmental impacts of the
product at all stages of the product life
cycle.
• Way to deal with environmental impacts,
especially in manufacturing.
• Considers the total picture rather than
just one stage of the production.
Example of LCA
for a Product
Source: (Jiawen Liu et. al, 2019,)
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Regional EIA
• Environmental concerns integrated
with regional planning.
• Adequate integration of economic
growth with management of natural
resources.
• Critical for achieving sustainable
development goals.
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Regional EIA example of the Doon Valley, Uttarakhand
• Doon valley is situated
around the Dehradun
(Capital city of
Uttarakhand).
• Map showing the master
plan of Doon valley
submitted by state
government
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Regional EIA example of the Doon Valley, Uttarakhand (cont’d..)
• Location of industries will be as per Water
(Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and
the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act,
1981.
• Land use, tourism and grazing will be as per plan
approved by ministry of Environment, Forest and
Climate Change (known as MoEF).
Image:
• Any mining activities needs prior clearance from Doon Valley
MOEF.
• Red category industries (most polluting) is not
allowed.
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Sectoral EIA • EIA concerning specific
sectors such as
transportation, energy,
mining etc.
• Addresses specific issues
encountered during
Transportation
sector implementing any sectoral
project/s.
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Sectoral EIA for Transportation Sector
Key Features:
• Wider impacts (on national or global level).
• Promotes integration of various transportation
modes.
• Overall assessment of energy and fuel
consumption by transport sector and
implementation of best strategy to minimize
adverse impacts.
• Encourage better usage of resources in
sustainable manner.
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Strategic EIA (SEIA or SEA)
• SIEA is the systematic analysis of the
environmental effects of development
policies, plans, programmes (PPP) and other
proposed strategic actions including the
preparation of a report that helps in decision-
making.
• Proactive approach to integrate
environmental concerns in the decision-
making process.
SEA is the EIA of
policies, plans and
Relationship between Strategic Impact programs
Assessment and Environment Impact Assessment
Source: (Javier Rodrigo-Ilarri et. al, 2020)
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Difference between EIA and SEA
Environment impact assessment Strategic environment assessment
• Takes place at end of decision- • Takes place at earlier stages of decision making cycle
making cycle
• Reactive to a development • Pro-active to development proposals
proposal
• Identifies specific impacts on the • Access effects of a policy, plan or programme on the
environment environment or the effect on environment on
development needs and opportunities.
• Addresses a specific project • Addresses areas, regions or sectors of development
• Considers limited number of • Considers broad range of potential alternatives
feasible alternatives
• Emphasis on mitigating and • Emphasis on meeting environmental objectives,
minimizing impacts maintaining environmental quality
• Narrow perspective and a high • Broad perspective and lower level of detail to provide a
level of detail vision and overall framework
• Well-defined process, clear • Multi-stage process, overlapping components, policy
beginning and end level is continuing and iterative
• Focuses on project specific • Creates a framework against which impacts and benefits
impacts. can be measured.
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Example of SEIA for Helsinki Metropolitan Transport System (Finland)
• 3 alternatives were compared
Ø Existing 1994 system (Baseline scenario)
Ø Based on policy to develop public transport
Ø Based on policy to develop private vehicle
traffic
• For each alternative, positive and negative
points were identified based on:
Ø Land use Helsinki Metro
Ø Environment
Ø Traffic and mobility
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Project level EIA
• Developmental activities considered
in isolation.
• Impact assessment specifically for
activities proposed in project.
• Most common EIA process
• Example: EIA for any section of
highway or a small project.
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Classification of Environmental Impacts
Source: (Bai Yong and Bai Qiang, 2014)
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Beneficial or Detrimental Impacts
Example: Transport projects such as
new construction of roads, widening
of roads
• Detrimental impact: Deteriorating air
quality
• Beneficial impact: Improved air quality
by using roads for public
transportation and Non-motorized
transports
Image Source: nhpr.org
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Naturally Reversible or Irreversible Impacts
Example: Waterbodies such as rivers
• Reversible impact: Maintaining
natural flows enhances self
purification properties of water
bodies (by increased dissolved
oxygen levels).
• Irreversible Impact: Extensive
pollution leads to extinction of
species.
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Repairable or Irreparable Impacts
Impacts Repairable via management
practices or irreparable
Example: Deforestation for Road
construction
• Repairable impact: Forest cover may be
increased through plantation.
• Irreparable impact: Irreparable once sensitive
ecological cycle is disturbed, it is irreparable.
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Short-term or Long-term Impacts
Example: A Metro Project
• Short-term impact: Congestion
on roads during construction
period.
• Long-term Impact: GHG
emissions during the entire
project life of a metro.
Congestion on roads due to construction activities of a Metro project
Source:(https://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/)
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Local, Regional, National Scales & Impacts
Regional Socio-economic Regional Environmental
Local Impacts example
Impacts example of Impacts example of Acid rain
of Dirt from Unpaved
benefits of BRTS or MRTS due to SOX / NOX emissions
roads and construction
sites
National Impacts example of
Alternate fuels (Ex. Implementation
of BS VI) in India
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Forms of Impact assessments
• Social Impact Assessment Based on the type of
• Risk Assessment
• Life Cycle Analysis (LCA)
Project and the need for
• Energy Analysis study, an EIA study can
• Health Impact Assessment include any of the following
• Regulatory Impact Assessment Impact assessments in the
• Species Impact Assessment study.
• Technology Assessment
• Economic Assessment
• Cumulative Impact Assessment
• Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)
• Integrated Impact Assessment
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Benefits of EIA
Transparency
Accountability Certainty
Benefits
Credibility Participation
of EIA
Cost
effectiveness Practicability
Flexibility
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Benefits of EIA and their Levels of Success
According to
International
Institute of
Sustainable
Development
(IISD), 2016.
Source: (IISD, 2016)
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Comparison of Benefits and Flaws in EIA Studies
Benefits Flaws
• Provides systematic method of impact • Time consuming
assessment
• Estimates the Cost/Benefit trade-off of • Costly
alternate actions
• Facilitates the public participation • Little public participation in actual
implementation
• Provides an effective mechanism for: • Unavailability for reliable data (mostly in
• Coordination developing countries
• Environmental Mitigation
• Negotiations
• Feed back
• Top-level decision making • Too focused to scientific analysis
(sometimes)
• Achieves a balance between the impact of • Compliance monitoring after EIA is
developments and environmental concerns seldom carried out
Source: (School of Planning and Architecture)
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Positive and Negative Externalities
+ve
Positive Externalities Negative Externalities
1. New jobs generated, economic 1. Additional pressure on
growth is stimulated. Physical Infrastructure
2. Growth of local business 2. Escalation of Cost
enterprises supported. 3. Extended time in project
3. Development of supporting implementation
-ve
and complementary industries.
4. Influx of capital and disposable
income.
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Conclusion
• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is an effort to
having harmony with nature while without
compromising the economic benefits of growth and
development activities.
• EIA considers various environmental impacts with
respect to its type, level or nature.
• An EIA study not only prevents any damage to natural
resources and environment, but also helps to gain
developmental and economic profits in long-term,
thereby ensuring Sustainable development.
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References
• Bai Yong and Bai Qiang, (2014). “Environmental Impact Assessment”, Chapter 17, Subsea Pipeline Integrity and Risk Management 2014, pp. 363-376,
DOI. 10.1016/B978-0-12-394432-0.00017-2.
• European Coommission, (2000). “Strategic Environmental Assessment in the Transport Sector: An Overview of Legislation and Practice in EU Member
States”, Environmental Resources Management, https://ec.europa.eu/environment/archives/eia/sea-studies-and-reports/pdf/sea_transport.pdf
• International Association of Impact Assessment (IAIA), (1996). “Environmental Assessment in a Changing World: Evaluating Practice to Improve
Performance”, Barry Sadler, https://unece.org/DAM/env/eia/documents/StudyEffectivenessEA.pdf.
• International Institute of Sustainable Development (IISD), (2016). “Environmental Impact Assessment Training Manual”, EIA Online Learning
Platform, www.iisd.org/learning/eia.
• Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC), https://cckpindia.nic.in/
• Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MOEFCC), “Master plan for Dehradun city and environmental regulations”,
http://moef.gov.in/en/rules-and-regulations/esa-notifications/
• Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MOEFCC), “Pollution and guidelines”, http://moef.gov.in/en/environment/pollution/
• Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MOEFCC), “Doon valley amendments”, http://moef.gov.in/wp-
content/uploads/2017/06/doon-valley-amendment.pdf
• Prof. Sandeep Hegde, https://www.slideshare.net/prithvighag/env-mgt-2-eia42slides.
• U.S. Energy Information Administration, (2016). “Transport sector energy consumption”, International Energy Outlook 2016,
https://www.eia.gov/outlooks/ieo/pdf/transportation.pdf
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Thank You
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