Introduction to EIA

(Level BS Hons)

Muhammad Jamal-ud-Din Qureshi

(Lecturer)-Department of Environmental Science
IIUI.
 EIA Definition
• “the process of identifying, predicting,
evaluating and mitigating the bio- physical,
social, and other relevant effects of
development proposals prior to major
decisions being taken and commitments
made.” – IAIA (International Association for Impact Assessment)
 EIA Definition

Environmental Impact Assessment means an environmental

study comprising collection of data, prediction of qualitative
and quantitative impacts, comparison of alternatives,
evaluation of preventive, mitigatory and compensatory
measures, formulation of environmental management and
training plans and monitoring arrangements, and framing of
recommendations and such other components as may be
prescribed.
 IEE Definition

Initial environmental examination means a preliminary

environmental review of the reasonably foreseeable qualitative
and quantitative impacts on the environment of a proposed
project to determine whether it is likely to cause an adverse
environmental effect for requiring preparation of an
environmental impact assessment.
 Key Objectives of EIA
• Ensure environmental considerations are explicitly
addressed and incorporated into the decision-
making process
• Anticipate and avoid, minimize and offset the
adverse significant biophysical, social and other
relevant effects of development proposals
• Protect the productivity and capacity of natural
systems and the ecological processes which
maintain their functions
• Promote development that is sustainable and
optimizes resource use and management
opportunities.
 Key Aspects around EIA

• Widely established world-wide Applicable to

projects with potential significant adverse impacts
on the environment
• Decision-informing in development consent
• Traditionally impact-centered
• Often also addresses socio-economic impacts
(ESIA)
 EIA Principles

• Early
• Transparent
• Participatory
• Independent
• Rigorous
• Objective
• Clear
 EIA regulatory framework
Pakistan Environmental Protection (PEPA) Act 1997
states “ Before the commission/decommissioning of
any proposed development EIA/IEE is mandatory. In
2010, through the 18th Amendment to the Constitution
of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973, environment
became a purely provincial subject, empowering each
province to make its own law. In 2012, Punjab
adopted the Federal Act with minor amendments,
calling it The Punjab Environmental Protection Act,
1997 (the “Punjab Act”). In early 2013, Balochistan
also framed its own law—The Balochistan
 Continued….

Environmental Protection Act, 2012 (the “Balochistan

Act”). The Balochistan Act, while primarily built upon
the Federal Act, had some substantial additions and
improvements in it over and above the Federal Act.

As per the information given by the respective EPA, KP is in

the process of framing its own law and the Federal Act
continues to be applicable to this province in the interim. Sindh
promulgated the Sindh Environment Protection Act in March
2014.
In addition to the Acts, at present all the provinces are
following the Regulations 2000 and the existing Federal
Guidelines.
EIA Process

Screening
Positive lists Screening criteria

Participatory
Scoping
Key aspects, methodologies, approach
Public Participation

Different techniques
Assessment
Mainly quantitativeBeyond compliance Inter-disciplinary

Define ‘mitigation measures’ – Mitigation Hierarchy

Avoid, minimise impact Calculate residual impact Maximise positive impacts

Prepare Environmental Management Plan

Public enquiry
Formal, additional to other opportunities

Go
Decision
No-go Conditional

Implementation / follow-up of EMP

Monitoring Control and verification
 Key contents to Highlight
• Non-technical summary
• Analysis of alternatives (including baseline
scenario)
• Cumulative impacts
• Addressing climate vulnerability
• Impacts associated to vulnerability to major
accidents and/or disasters
• All phases of the project
• Associated developments
• Trans boundary consultations
EIA and biodiversity: the "mitigation" hierarchy
Thanks