CHAP-1: EIA and EA

EIA Definition
History of EIA
When is EIA required?
Steps involved in EIA
Environment Auditing
Stages of EA
Benefits of EA
Conclusion
Environmental Impact
Assessment (EIA) refers to the
evaluation of the environmental impacts
likely to raise from a major project
significantly affecting the
environment
History of EIA:-
The National Environmental Policy Act 1969 of USA is the
legislative basis for EIA.

The legislation made mandatory to assess the

environmental consequences of all projects by federal
agencies.

In 1990s, many developed and some developing countries

designed their EIA legislation. e.g. New Zealand (1991),
Canada (1995), Australia (1999), Vietnam (1993), Uganda
(1994), Ecuador (1997).

Today, EIA is firmly established in planning process in

many of these countries.
To identify and assess any potentially adverse
environmental effects of a new development.

The adverse impacts could be avoided or reduce.

To ensure that environmental consequences were

taken into account during planning, designing &
decision Making process.

To influence how it is subsequently managed during

its implementation.
EIA is a tool that is applied… :-

 before major decisions are taken

 to inform all stages of decision making, including final

approval and the establishment of conditions for project
implementation;

 with public participation and consultation; and

 to integrate environmental considerations and safeguards

into all phases of project
Steps involved in EIA:-
1. Screening
2. Scoping
3. Impact Analysis
4. Impact Mitigation
5. Reporting
6. Review

7. Decision Making

8. Monitoring
Steps involved in EIA:-
1. Screening : to decide whether an EIA is required or
not
Mandatory EIA
Inclusive threshold

Case-by-case
consideration
of requirement Indicative threshold
for EIA

Exclusive threshold
EIA ruled out
Steps involved in EIA:-
2. Scoping : establishes the content and scope of an EIA
report
Steps involved in EIA:-
3. Impact analysis

4. Impact mitigation
Common (desirable)
Alternative sites or
Avoidance technology to
eliminate habitat loss

Actions during
design, construction and
Mitigation operation to minimise
or eliminate habitat
loss

Used as a last resort

Compensation to offset habitat loss
Rare (undesirable)
Steps involved in EIA:-
5. Reporting

6. Review :-
 Review the quality of the EIA report.
 Take public comments into account.
 Determine if the information is sufficient.
 Identify any deficiencies to be corrected.

7. Decision Making:-
 To provide key input to help determine if a proposal is acceptable
 To help establish environmental terms and conditions for project
implementation
Steps involved in EIA:-
8. Monitoring:

 Ensure the implementation of conditions attached to a

decision.

 Verify that impacts are as predicted or permitted.

 Confirm that mitigation measures are working as expected.

 Take action to manage any unforeseen changes.

Overall view
Proposal
identification

EIA required Screening No EIA

Initial
Scoping environmental
examination

Impact analysis

Mitigation
and impact
management
*Public involvement
Resubmit EIA report
*Public involvement typically
occurs at these points.
It may also occur at any
Redesign Review other stage of the EIA Process

Not approved Decision-making

Approved
Information from this process
contributes to effective EIA in the future
Implementation
and post-EIA
monitoring
Public involvement:
Screening
To consult people likely to be affected by
proposal.
Scoping
To ensure that significant issues are identified;
project related information is gathered,
Impact analysis
alternatives are considered.
Mitigation To avoid biases/inaccuracies in analysis; identify
and impact
management local values/preferences; assist in consideration of
mitigation measures; select best alternative.
EIA report

Review To consider and comment on EIA Report

Decision making
To monitor the implementation of EIA Report’s
recommendations and decision’s conditions.
Implementation
and monitoring
 An environmental audit assesses the nature and
extent of harm to the environment caused by the
activities, wastes or noise from a particular
company

 Environmental auditing originated in the

United States and in Western Europe in the
1970s.
Detailed definition
Private sector environmental auditing

Public sector environmental auditing

 External audit
 Internal audit
Environment auditing:

Areas of environmental auditing

Types of audits:
 Compliance audit
 Issues audit
 Site audit
 Product or life cycle audit
Environmental auditing stages
Pre-audit stage

Audit stage

Post- audit stage

Benefits of auditing

Ensuring compliance

Anticipation of environmental problems &

risks

Awareness of impact upon the environment

efficient resource & financial savings