Environmental impact assessment of seawater desalination plant under the framework of integrated coastal management

The assessment of climate change mitigation and adaptation in environmental impact assessment practices has been mostly inconsistently addressed. Studies that use data validation from experts and relevant authorities to address the socio-political context that influence the process have been inadequate. This study aimed to bridge the gap by examining the extent to which climate change mitigation and adaptation in environmental impact assessment practices in Tanzania have been considered and the broader social-political context that influence the process. A mixed research design employing sequential methods was adopted. Both primary and secondary data was used. Primary data was obtained from 22 environmental experts through a close-ended questionnaire and interview with 6 key informants, while secondary data was obtained from 19 environmental impact assessment reports issued between January 2020 and January 2022. Purposive sampling was used to select key informants and simple random sampling was used to select environmental experts and environmental impact assessment reports. Content analysis was employed to assess qualitative text data to generate descriptive information. SPSS enabled the processing and analysis of quantitative data through frequencies and percentages. The findings revealed that 23.3% and 10.5% of reviewed reports considered climate change mitigation, and adaptation respectively, reflecting that the degree of consideration was low and was mainly limited to mitigation. A close link between the environmental impact assessment legal frameworks and the environmental impact assessment practices was observed and it was recommended for a review of basic frameworks to mandate and include details on climate change mitigation and adaptation assessment in environmental impacts assessment practices. The study recommends building capacity of experts and authority, preparing clear climate change assessment guidelines, and availing reliable climate data at the local level to facilitate modelling.

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is an essential process in minimizing the adverse environmental impact and to ensure sustainable land use. In Malaysia, under Section 34A, Environmental Quality Act 1974, the EIA was made compulsory for any project that can be a threat to the environment. All EIA reports require approval from the Department of Environment prior to the project commencement. This study argues that land use change for agriculture and logging in Kelantan has a direct connection on the approved EIA. The objectives of this study is to identify a list of EIA reports that have been previously approved in Kelantan since 2000 to 2015; and to analyze the EIA reports embracing the trends of approval, the type of project, territory involved, the consultant involved, the time of approval, potential impacts and mitigation measures. This study had been reviewed 192 EIA report in DOE Kelantan and covered year 2000 to 2015. The review process to look at the type of project, territory involved, the consultant involved, the time of approval, potential impacts and mitigation measures. It’s covered three district of Tanah Merah, Kuala Krai and Gua Musang. To date, a total of 222 EIA reports have been approved in Kelantan. The results showed a notable increment in the approval trend of EIA reports. A total of 149 conducted EIA projects are fall within the territory of Gua Musang. Majority of the approvals are granted to agriculture and logging projects. Majority projects have passed over the area of secondary forest, oil palm and rubber plantations, permanent reserve forest and the watershed of tributaries of Sungai Kelantan. Land-clearing activities for agriculture and logging on a large scale have a significant impact to environmental change in Kelantan. Keywords : agriculture, deforestation, environment impact assessment, Environmental Quality Act 1974, floods risk, land use change

The contribution of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to decision making for biological pest control in South Africa – The case of Lantana camara

Environmental economic impact assessment in China: Problems and prospects

Environmental impact assessment practices of the federative republic of Brazil: A comprehensive review

The potential of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process to respond to climate change impacts of development projects can only be realized with the support of policies, regulations, and actors' engagement. While considering climate change in EIA has become partly mandatory through the EU revised Directive in Europe, African countries are still lagging. This paper assesses Tanzanian policies, laws, regulations, and EIA reports to uncover consideration of climate change impacts, adaptation, and mitigation measures, drawing from the transformational role of EIA. The methodology integrates content analysis, interpretive policy analysis, and discourse analysis. The analyses draw from environmental policy, three regulatory documents and three EIA reports in Tanzania using a multi-cases study design. The aim was to understand how considering Climate Change issues in EIA has played out in practice. Results reveal less consideration of climate change issues in EIA. The policy, laws, and regulations do not guide when and how the EIA process should consider climate change-related impacts mitigation and adaptation. The practice of EIA in the country is utterly procedural in line with regulations provisions. Consequently, environmental impact statements only profile the climatology of the study area without conducting a deeper analysis of the historical and future climate to enhance the resilience of proposed projects. The weakness exposed in the laws and regulations contributes to the challenges of responding to the impacts of climate change through the EIA process. It is possible to address climate change issues throughout the project life cycle, including design, approval, implementation, monitoring, and auditing, provided the policy and regulations guide how and when the EIA process should consider climate change issues. Additionally, increasing stakeholders' awareness and participation can enhance the EIA process's potential to respond to the impacts of climate change.

This article is focused on manufacturing industry and its significant environmental impact aspects coverage in environmental impact assessment (EIA) reports in Lithuania. Firstly, the paper describes how a significant impact can be determined and what sources should be used in its identification. Secondly, the significant environmental aspects related to manufacturing industry are identified. The main result of the paper is the depiction of how identified significant environmental aspects are covered, if they are covered at all, in the EIA reports. The research shows that current EIA practice assesses a negative manufacturing industry impact related to air emissions and direct consumption of natural resources and energy. In general, current EIA practice is concentrated on local and direct environmental impact assessment, while it has the shortcoming to assess an indirect and global impact. Current EIA practice also has a limitation in the evaluation of climate change issues and total cumulative effects of manufacturing industry on the environment.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.erem.72.1.14976

An evaluation of the environmental impact assessment practice in Uganda: challenges and opportunities for achieving sustainable development

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to review the Rwandan Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) practice and identify the possible constraints faced by EIA practitioners in Rwanda. The results presented here will help to highlight strengths and weakness of the Rwandan EIA practice.Design/methodology/approachThe EIA practice was evaluated by a self-administered questionnaire survey for respondents including approved EIA experts in Rwanda, government agencies involved in EIA process and corporate which have received environmental clearance. The aspects of practices and challenges were evaluated and include the suitability of institutional arrangements, the scientific methodological bases of EIA, the conduct of EIA, the effectiveness of EIA with respect to influence decision making, overall results and EIA as a learning process. These aspects were rated on different scales by the respondents to identify where the Rwandan EIA practice stands now in terms of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and constraints.FindingsThe institutional arrangements of EIA were judged to be good overall by the respondents with main strengths being seen in the policy and legal base, and the scope of application. Only the marginal weaknesses are seen in the monitoring. The scientific and empirical basis for assessment was judged to stand moderately strengthened during the last five years. The performance of key activities is more than satisfactory. A majority of Rwandan EIA stages are good and excellent to some extent.Originality/valueThis paper identifies some of the constraints and challenges faced by the Rwandan EIA practitioners. It will contribute to an understanding of EIA practice and robust practices across the globe.

Environmental Impact assessment (EIA) is among globally accepted means to reduce habitat destruction and fragmentation that result to loss of biodiversity. However, non-technical revision of EIA Procedural Guidelines to address emerging environmental concerns and news areas by Federal Ministry of Environment are preventing EIA from meeting above obligation in Nigeria. This study evaluated extent of critical habitat assessment/inclusion in Nigeria`s EIA reports. 100 EIA reports from Manufacturing, Infrastructure, Power, Agric/Roads and Petroleum sectors were assessed using critical habitat evaluation criteria consisting of 20 attributes; adapted from International Finance Corporation`s Guidance Note Six. Results show varying levels of critical habitat inclusion in the EIA reports. Though majority of the reports recognised the need for conservation of biodiversity and proffered mitigation measures for reducing habitat fragmentation and restoration in course of project development; the evaluated EIA reports did not deepen habitat screening of project area or adopted any quantification approach. There was no evidence to show that avoidance was deployed as part of mitigation hierarchies; likewise, partnership with conservation organizations to offset residual impacts. Also, none of the EIA reports suggested modification of project execution option(s) based on EIA outcome. Result of critical habitat inclusion evaluation amongst the sectors, shows mean inclusion scores for Power, (37.2%), Petroleum (36%), Manufacturing (33.7), Infrastructure (27.8%) and Agric/Road (22.8%) with overall mean inclusion value of 31.7%. ANOVA statistic deployed, showed no significant inclusion difference among the sectors (P-value = .103>.05). Recommendations were made for the use of technology and capacity building to enhance critical habitat assessment as part of EIA reports in Nigeria.

Environmental impact assessment system in Thailand and its comparison with those in China and Japan

Book review

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) practice in Cameroon has been plagued with many constraints especially from the infrastructure and EIA resource perspective. The present legal and procedural disposition vis-à-vis EIA in Cameroon is monumental and manifest some clarity of exposition with regards to the practical and fundamental steps for EIA practice in the country. However, a number of impediments still prevail that deter the full efficiency of this legislation. In search for explanations to this trend, this study was conducted to examine the current framework governing EIA in Cameroon implemented in February 2005. Content analysis and interviews with stakeholders in the EIA process were undertaken to identify key barriers associated with EIA practice in Cameroon. The paper maintains that inadequate baseline data, procedural flaws in scoping, exorbitant administrative fees, absence of an appeal procedure, unclear proviso, incompetent personnel and over centralisation of EIA powers are key barriers that appear to impede a healthy EIA practice in Cameroon. In conclusion, it is submitted that for a robust EIA practice to prevail in Cameroon, there is an urgent need for a great deal of focus on the recommendations prescribed within the context of the paper.

Questionnaire

Consideration of climate change impacts and adaptation in EIA practice — Perspectives of actors in Austria and Germany