Abstract
Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Audit are tools of trade which are available for use by environmental managers around the world. They are applied as early as possible in decision-making throughout the life cycle of proposed development projects and actions that may have potentially significant impacts on biophysical and socio-cultural environments. These instruments provide for individual stakeholder and community participation in screening, scoping, environmental impact identification and evaluation, prior to development of Environmental and Social Management plan. Despite the application of Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Audit techniques in environmental management in Kenya for the past two decades, environmental problems continue to persist as evidenced majorly by incessant flooding, drought conditions, collapsing buildings and dams. There are very high hopes in Kenya for environmental conservation and restoration following the roll out of the Competence Based Curriculum (CBC) which entrenches environmental activities on three strands; the environment and its resources, the social environment and the care of environment. Competence Based Curriculum will produce environmental conscious citizens who will contribute towards making the planetary earth a better place to live in. The paper examines Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Audit practice in Kenya and suggests measures for better environmental management. Key words: Environment, impact, assessment, audit, competence based curriculum.
Highlights
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) refers to a systematic assessment which is conducted to determine whether or not a program, activity or project will have negative impacts on the environment
When EIA/Environmental Audit (EA) study reports are under review, consideration is put on whether projects fall in three categories; notably; Low, Moderate and High-risk projects
The Environmental Institution (EIK) is more of club of Experts that is responsible for professional developments of its members and has no powers to discipline rogue environmental Experts who are involved in unethical practices such as cutting and pasting of reports as well as overcharging and undercharging on EIA/EA fees
Summary
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) refers to a systematic assessment which is conducted to determine whether or not a program, activity or project will have negative impacts on the environment. Despite the application of Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Audits as a tool in the environmental managements in Kenya over the past two decades, environmental problems continue to persist as manifested by incessant incidences of floods and drought conditions, climate change, proliferation of informal settlements, deforestation, collapsing buildings and dams. This underscores the need for interventions through the use of EIA/EA for environmental enhancement
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
