Benefits and drawbacks of EIA decentralisation in Pakistan

Abstract

Environmental impact assessment (EIA) was decentralised in Pakistan in 2010. The literature mentions compromised EIA effectiveness in the country, but no previous study tried to investigate how decentralisation of environmental governance has influenced EIA effectiveness. This study is the first of its kind which explores the opinions of key EIA stakeholders regarding the benefits and drawbacks of EIA decentralisation. Thirty-seven semi-structured interviews were conducted with officials from environmental protection agencies (EPAs), Ministry of Climate Change (MoCC) and former Ministry of Environment officials and EIA consultants. Interview data was categorised into themes related to pros and cons of decentralisation. The biggest benefit offered by decentralisation to the EPAs was to make their own customised EIA laws and regulations. However, to date, four EPAs have somewhat modified the 1997 Pakistan Environmental Protection Act and two have updated the 2000 Initial Environmental Examination/EIA regulations. Limited coordination between EPAs and MoCC, political influence and lack of accountability of EPAs were highlighted as the drawbacks of decentralisation. Some EPA officials, however, mentioned that the environmental condition of their areas has improved due to the autonomy of EPAs. Decentralisation is a good idea if provinces use their right to legislate effectively and some sort of accountability mechanisms for EPAs are introduced. The study holds significance because it fills an important knowledge gap. The experience of key EIA stakeholders from the entire country regarding a decentralised EIA system provides insight not just for Pakistan but to policymakers worldwide who may want to decentralise or recentralise EIA in their countries. Future studies may be conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of EIA legislation updated by some EPAs.