Quality of environmental impact statements (EISs) in Eswatini: 1996 – 2020

Abstract

ABSTRACT Following the adoption of formal EIA procedures in the mid-1990s, there have been no efforts to assess the quality of EISs in Eswatini. This study was necessitated by an attempt to fill this gap. It did so by systematically analysing 125 EISs, submitted from 1996 to 2020, using the Lee and Colley EIS review method. The obtained results are comparable to previous findings in terms of variations in EIS quality within review areas, increase in the average length of EISs over the years, and the association between better results and the most experienced consultants. However, with regard to the quality of EISs over the years, the outcomes of this study are at variance with previous findings. Based on these observations, it is concluded that the quality of EISs in Eswatini is a result of many years of EIA practice without attendant research, coupled with the absence of capacity-building programmes, absence of requirements for EIA consultants, and inadequate EIA guidelines.