Environmental Impact Assessment Reports Research Articles

Climate change considerations in environmental impacts assessment (EIA) practices: learning from climate sensitive projects in Rufiji Basin Tanzania

Abstract 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.

POST-DESIGN MONITORING OF THE IRRIGATION IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT

Approaches to conducting post-design monitoring of the impact of irrigation on soil condition are highlighted on the example of an individual agricultural farm of LLC "Granex-Cherkasy". The results of the implementation of the five-year post-design monitoring program under the conditions of irrigation by groundwater using sprinkling and drip methods proved the need to develop both unified general approaches to the formation of monitoring programs, as well as the mandatory consideration of the peculiarities of its management under different irrigation methods and hydrogeological-ameliorative conditions on the irrigation sites. As a basis for the development of a system of post-design monitoring of the impact of irrigation on the state of environmental components, it is proposed to use approaches to the organization and performance of local (on-site) monitoring of irrigated lands based on the requirements of current regulatory and methodological documents. The observation system, based on previous studies, included periodic determination of irrigation water quality indicators in storage ponds or in the places of watering and routine observations of soil conditions at permanent monitoring points (observation points), which are recommended to be taken as coordinate points of the previously conducted testing study (at the stage of the preparation of the environmental impact assessment report). The results of the post-design monitoring proved the ecological admissibility of the impact of irrigation within the farm with the groundwater of I and II quality classes (suitable and limitedly suitable according to individual quality indicators). Based on the results of monitoring, it was established that the soils under irrigation did not undergo significant classification changes in terms of deterioration for 5 years. The lack of manifestations of secondary (irrigation) salinization, sodification, and alkalinization of soils under the influence of irrigation indicates the environmental safety of the latter following the accepted standards for indicators of the degree of development of the specified soil degradation processes.

A New Ecological Contract

A New Ecological Contract is a pedagogical framework for design studios that focus on sites of socioenvironmental conflict. Through ecocritical video game design, students engage with situated impacts of large-scale climate issues by working through images of environmental impact assessment reports and baseline studies as archives of landscape transformation. This framework pursued two objectives: first, to awaken a critical and spatial political imagination in the context of a four-year constitutional referendum process that challenged the basis of the Chilean economy and its relationship to the environment from which it derives its riches, and second, to present students with a case for using their representational abilities to engage with situated impacts of large scale climate issues by going through environmental impact assessment reports’ images and baselines studies approaching a design brief otherwise.

Social acceptance and associated risks of geothermal energy development in East Africa: perspectives from geothermal energy developers

Abstract Social acceptance is a challenging aspect that affects the development of geothermal energy and such issues have been reported in many countries, such as Germany, Japan, Greece, and Kenya. In this study, we discuss the barriers to social acceptance and associated risks faced by geothermal energy developers in East Africa. We have conducted semi-structured interviews with international organizations (38.5%), public companies (38.5%), and private companies (23.1%). The interviews were qualitatively analysed using inductive content analysis. The key barriers identified by respondents were the lack of political, market, and community awareness; lack of local political support; lack of public funding; human resource shortages; involuntary resettlement; local cultural aspects; employment issues; and demographic change. The lack of awareness of geothermal energy affects public and private funding, and leads to negative risk perception by communities. Risks, such as air, soil, and water pollution, land acquisition, social exclusion, resource risks, and drilling and project costs, were considered important by our respondents. In this study, we emphasize the need for the following: raising awareness regarding geothermal energy; training professionals; implementing strong surface studies to reduce the risks associated with the exploration stage; and conducting environmental and social impact assessment reports to mitigate negative risks to local communities, while also ensuring their engagement and raising their awareness about the negative risks of geothermal energy.

How Green Are Romania’s Motorways? An Analysis of the Impact Avoidance and Mitigation Measures Proposed for Motorway Projects in Romania

Abstract The development of infrastructure, particularly motorway infrastructure has been one of the main goals of Romania after 1990. However, the sustainable development of this type of infrastructure has only become an issue in the last few years. In this paper are presented the results of a literature review and analysis of the environmental impact mitigation measures which were proposed for motorway and express road projects in Romania within their Environmental Impact Assessments. The paper analyses whether appropriate measures have been proposed in the Environmental Impact Assessment Reports and how consistently they were proposed in different EIAs done in Romania. It analyses how much the measures proposed address impacts such as habitat loss, habitat alteration, fragmentation, species disturbance, and mortality So far, there is no known analysis on this topic Romania, although these types of projects have been implemented for many years. The hypothesis for this analysis is that the measures proposed for motorway and express road projects are not completely adequate for addressing identified impacts and that they are not in accordance with best practices. The results of the analysis indicate important gaps in the implementation of measures, particularly in regards to maintenance of ecological connectivity, as a response to potential fragmentation, and light pollution mitigation. It also highlights the lack of available data on the effectiveness of implemented mitigation measures, indicating the need for rigorous post-implementation monitoring and assessment of effectiveness. The paper proposes a more comprehensive and consistent approach to environmental impact mitigation in infrastructure projects, and for the public availability of post-implementation evaluation results.

Evaluating the effectiveness of mitigation measures in environmental impact assessments: A comprehensive review of development projects in Korea

Rapid urbanization and development projects in Korea have posed significant threats to biodiversity; thus, effective mitigation measures are required to preserve natural habitats. Nevertheless, the factors underlying variations in mitigation measure effectiveness according to the disturbance level and surrounding environmental conditions have not been clarified. This study evaluated the effectiveness of mitigation measures implemented in environmental impact assessments (EIAs) of development projects in Korea, with a focus on their effectiveness with respect to the disturbance level and surrounding environmental conditions. A review of 288 EIA reports from selected projects that implemented all 10 mitigation measures classified according to the Wildlife Conservation Comprehensive Plan was conducted. Using the biodiversity tipping point framework, the effects of mitigation measures on biodiversity were categorized into four levels and analyzed. Analysis of variance and redundancy analysis were then performed to discern the variance in mitigation measure effectiveness in terms of the disturbance level, surrounding environment, and species. The results revealed significant variations in the effectiveness of mitigation measures depending on the surrounding environment and disturbance level. Linear projects exhibited a clear impact on various species as the disturbance level increased, whereas area-based projects did not exhibit such pronounced effects. All species demonstrated a negative relationship with development duration, development area, and distance from urban centers. Notably, avian and amphibian species showed a strong negative correlation with the digital elevation model while reptiles and mammals exhibited a strong positive relationship with pre-development biodiversity and distance from protected areas, respectively. Mitigation measures play a key role in alleviating the adverse effects of development projects; therefore, our findings indicate the need for spatially tailored mitigation plans to augment their effectiveness.

An evaluation of air quality impact prediction performance undertaken as part of environmental impact assessment (EIA) in India

Effective implementation of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is recognised as a global issue, in particular the impact prediction stage, which is the ‘core’ of EIA. Consisting of four stages: impact identification, impact assessment, significance evaluation, and mitigation measures on the possible environmental repercussions of project developmental activities, the efficacy of impact prediction can define the quality of the EIA process, which will better align environmental decision-making to sustainable development. The weakness of impact prediction in EIA demands more study to enhance practice. Although this is widely explored in the context of developed countries such as the UK, it is particularly concerning in India. A specialised review package built from several sources is utilised to assess the efficacy of air quality impact prediction, based on Lee & Colley (1991). 20 EIA reports of Category A (mega-scale projects causing significant environmental impacts) are reviewed. This study's evaluation indicates that significance evaluation and mitigation actions are the weakest phases and a major concern while assessing air quality studies conducted as a part of EIA. Recommendations to improve the process include prioritising the cumulative impact assessment within the regulatory framework, enhancing capacity building, embedding public participation and instilling accountability among stakeholders, which can be adopted globally. Additional recommendations specifically for India are revising the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), restructuring the EIA review mechanism by EAC and improving mitigation measures by adopting GIS and remote sensing technologies.

Assessing the use of spatial information in environmental impact assessment reports: The case of mobile telecommunications projects in Plateau State (Nigeria)

Assessing the use of spatial information in environmental impact assessment reports: The case of mobile telecommunications projects in Plateau State (Nigeria)

Consideration of Climate Change on Environmental Impact Assessment in Tanzania: Challenges and Prospects.

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.

Evaluation of Environmental Impact Assessment legislation in Pakistan

ABSTRACT Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was introduced in Pakistan in 1997 with the enactment of the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act followed by EIA regulations in 2000 both of which remained in use for over two decades. The legislation has recently been updated by two provinces which the study aimed to evaluate using the Next Generation Framework (NGF). NGF is based on good practice criteria which is used for the evaluation of legislation. Strengths of the legislation are that it has exclusive lists of projects requiring either a preliminary or a detailed EIA, clear timelines for review and decision-making, requirements for EIA follow-up, and penalties in case of non-compliance. However, the legislation has multiple shortcomings; for instance, there are no requirements to do scoping, consider alternatives, and make EIA reports public. The framework is helpful to evaluate the quality of legislation and explore reasons for weaknesses in EIA practice. The good practices in the framework may also be used to formulate guidance documents. The results hold importance not just for Pakistan, but the international policymakers may also learn from the strengths and weaknesses identified in this study and revise their respective legislation accordingly.

A Quality Review of EIA: A Comparative Study of State-Funded and International Aid Agency-funded Development Projects in Sri Lanka

A development project's environmental impact assessment (EIA) is a tool for mitigating the effects on the environment and promoting sustainable development. EIA is an expensive and professionally engaged process that involves the public. Many countries around the world have long-standing laws in place connected to this topic, as well as solid knowledge and experience. One persistent argument against the efficacy of EIA in developing nations is that the procedure and quality differ from country to country. The International Aid Agencies (IAA) have their guidelines for protecting the environment while following local environmental assessment standards for any financing requirements. IAA involvement in the EIA process might significantly affect how well- written EIA reports are. To evaluate the assessment quality, six EIA reports from state-financed development projects (SL-EIAs) and another six development projects EIAs funded by the IAA (IAA-EIAs) in Sri Lanka were randomly chosen. LeeCooley review package (1990) was used to evaluate the Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) of each EIA. In this investigation, it was discovered that IAA-EIAs and SL-EIAs had a significant difference in overall quality. IAA-EIAs show values that range from highly satisfactory to satisfactory and each share 50 percent, whereas SL-EIAs indicate 83 percent satisfactory and 17 percent of borderline quality. In comparison to the SL-EIAs, all four review areas of the IAA-EIAs performed notably well. While the SL-EIA shows good to borderline quality (0.66-0.72), all evaluated IAA-EIA reports reveal highly satisfactory to satisfactory (0.81-0.93) quality. The engagement of IAA in the environmental assessment has a considerable impact to improve assessment quality in comparison to the only domestic assessment. Finding the weak area in the SL-EIA process and adhering to the IAA standards would elevate the standard of the report.
 Keywords: EIA quality, Review, International Aid Agency, Development projects

Assessing the existing guidelines of environmental impact assessment and mitigation measures for future hydropower projects in Pakistan

Introduction: More than 16% of the total electricity used worldwide is met by hydropower, having local to regional environmental consequences. With positive indicators that energy is becoming more broadly available and sustainable, the world is moving closer to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7). Pakistan became the first nation to include the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in its national development strategy.Methodology: The current study sought to investigate the structural limits of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) guidelines for hydropower development in Pakistan. The study included the document review of the EIA reports about hydropower projects in Pakistan, scientific questionnaires from decision-makers, and public consultation.Results and Discussion: The document evaluates that an adequate mechanism is available, and donors like the Asian Development Bank and World Bank observe the implementation process of EIA in Pakistan. However, a comprehensive analysis of the EIA system found several things that could be improved, not only in the institutional framework but also in actual implementation and practices. More than 20% of respondent decision-makers disagreed with the compliance of the current Institutional Framework with EIA guidelines, and 25% think that the existing guidelines followed in Pakistan are not aligned with international standards and practices for Hydropower in actual practice. EIA has a limited impact on decision-making due to insufficient technical and financial resources.Recommendations: There should be a think tank with experts who can meet the needs of present and future epochs. The public should be communicated with and educated about EIA. For better efficiency, the officers and decision-makers should be trained internationally, i.e., the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA).

Disregard of aquatic shrews in the Environmental Impact Assessment reports regarding hydropower dams in the Nepal Himalayas

AbstractThe rate of hydropower dam construction on rivers is increasing in emerging economies in South Asia, to achieve economic development goals. These large infrastructure projects are likely to have many negative consequences on freshwater species but have not yet received much consideration. Among freshwater small mammalian species, water shrews are seriously impacted by these large structures. This paper aims to determine if water shrews have been considered during the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of these hydro dam project sites, as well as present the sightings of the water shrews from Nepalese rivers with hydropower potential. We reviewed 44 EIA reports of such projects in Nepal using a set of four criteria and 15 questions to analyze the methods of impact assessment for mammals and the reports on the presence of water shrews in each built area. The study found that the number of mammal species reported during the EIA varied from five to 55 species but no relationships between the hydropower structure's size and any water shrew species were considered in the studies. In almost all EIA reports, the term aquatic ecosystem was prioritized over the term aquatic small mammals, and the latter was not considered in the assessment. The major reason for not considering these species is probably due to the lack of robust methods to capture small mammals such as shrews, or due to survey methods focused only on terrestrial mammals. The Aquatic Animal Protection Act was fully reviewed and assured to be followed in a majority of the reports, yet the monitoring parameters and indicators were not available for aquatic small mammals. Ignoring the presence of these mammals while constructing hydropower plants is a serious threat to their persistence. We also reported the Himalayan water shrew in the Barun River and the elegant water shrew in the Upper Tamakoshi River of Nepal. Therefore, a better understanding of these species among hydropower developers, and all concerned agencies, is essential.

Mainstreaming Climate Change into EIA Process in Nigeria: Perspectives from Projects in Northern Nigeria

The persistent issue of drought in Northern Nigeria is exacerbated by the reduction in precipitation and rise in temperature. Nigeria is being impacted by climate change in diverse ways, necessitating the immediate implementation of proactive measures to tackle its challenges. It is crucial to integrate adaptation and mitigation into the country's development plans. The objective of the study is to identify current practices, gaps, and opportunities for incorporating climate change into the EIA framework; and the integration of climate change considerations into the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process from projects in Northern Nigeria. The study assesses various criteria in EIA reports, such as vulnerability assessments, climate projections, adaptation measures, stakeholder engagement, and policy compliance. A self-created questionnaire titled "Mainstreaming Climate Change within EIA" was utilized to collect data. The questionnaire was designed with an interactive format, divided into three main categories (Category A, B, C). It was conducted between February and April 2022, with 400 potential volunteers receiving electronic and hard copies of questionnaires, resulting in 127 valid responses. The findings from five EIA reports of projects in Northern Nigeria revealed significant gaps in addressing climate change, including limited attention to vulnerability and risk assessments, inadequate reporting of adaptation measures, and insufficient stakeholder engagement. Key stakeholder interviews conducted support the relevance and significance of incorporating climate change adaptation skills into the EIA process. However, the study contends that in order for stakeholders to accept mainstreaming climate change mitigation and adaptation, institutional and policy changes are needed.

Stakeholder Engagement: Analyzing the Role of Community Participation in EIA Document Crafting for PT Semen Indonesia's Cement Plant

This study aims to clarify the community involvement process in preparing AMDAL papers for the construction of a cement plant by PT Semen Indonesia (Persero) Tbk in Rembang Regency, Central Java Province. An Environmental Impact Assessment (AMDAL) document is mandatory for any development and mining operation and must be prepared by the party responsible. The community's involvement in decision-making and evaluation stages is crucial for the construction site. This research utilizes a normative technique incorporating a statutory, conceptual, and case-based approach. The findings illustrate community engagement through their involvement in preparing AMDAL papers. This study investigates the level of community engagement in preparing Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports for establishing a cement factory by PT Semen Indonesia (Persero) Tbk in Rembang Regency, Central Java Province. Furthermore, it examines the disputes between PT Semen Indonesia (Persero) Tbk and the local community on regulating community involvement in preparing the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) document

JUSTIFICATION OF THE FEASIBILITY OF NORMALIZING THE LEVEL OF GREENING OF SANITARY AND PROTECTIVE ZONES OF OPERATING QUARRY ROCK DUMPS IN THE CONTEXT OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

To reduce the impact of polluted air on human health it is important to expand the areas of green spaces and create healthier conditions for the local population to live and reproduce biodiversity. Dumps of overburden the surface of which has reached intensive self-overgrowth with grass and tree-shrub vegetation and the industry of the adjacent land should be considered as fabricated objects with a high potential of gas-absorbing capacity of pollutants from the surface layer of atmospheric air. A comparison of the amount of emissions of pollutants which are directly during the dumping of overburden dumps with the ability of vegetation to adsorb them during the growing season revealed the following: rather high indicators of the absorption capacity for sulfur oxide and the ability to self-clean the surface layer of the air as well as an additional balance of regenerated oxygen due to green vegetation. Calculations of emissions of pollutants and greenhouse gases into the atmosphere from vehicles were made taking into account unloading operations from the dumping of mining mass into a dump and taking into account their formation during the combustion of fuel from internal combustion engines of special equipment according to specific indicators. The analysis of the cartographic material showed a sufficient level of greening of the sanitary and protective zone of the dumps in accordance with the territory planning recommendations. The possibility of self-cleaning of the surface air layer should be considered during the preparation of relevant environmental impact assessment reports of the planned economic activity and during the planning of dumping, the volumes of which are related to the gradual advancement of the work front in the quarry. This will make it possible to consider industrial lands with a high level of greening as one of the ways to increase the ESG rating of economic activity in terms of the impact of environmental risks on atmospheric air quality and its minimization due to a sufficient level of industrial lands greening.

THE EXPERT OPINION VS. THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT

In the presented study, the author raised the issue of the environmental impact assessment report as evidence in administrative proceedings. The article presents mainly the position of case law in this regard. Considerations in this area concerned two means of evidence carried out within the framework of administrative proceedings; namely, expert opinion evidence and private document evidence.

Gaps between Stakeholders` Concerns and Mitigation Measures in ESIA Reports of Geothermal Energy Projects: A Case Study of Geothermal Energy Projects in Djibouti, Ethiopia and Kenya

Geothermal energy serves as a viable alternative to fossil fuels in developing countries, catering to electricity needs, supporting socio-economic development, and striving towards sustainable development goals. It also poses potential negative impacts on the environment and society. This study conducted a comparative analysis of mitigation measures and stakeholders' concerns across eight environmental and social impact assessment reports (ESIA) for geothermal energy development projects in Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Kenya. Mitchell's mitigation hierarchy guideline (1997) was used to examine the purpose of 708 proposed mitigation measures for eight environmental and nine social criteria extracted from the literature and then a deductive qualitative content analysis were used to categorize these measures according to 18 criteria collected from the literature. Additionally, using an inductive qualitative content analysis, the study analysed 680 stakeholders' concerns sourced from public participation materials in the ESIA reports, identifying four main thematic categories and twenty-two subcategories. Stakeholders expressed concerns predominantly about socio-economic (52%) and development matters (20%), while ESIA reports offered fewer social mitigation measures (28.7%) compared to environmental ones (71.3%). Nonetheless, a strong correlation between the environmental and social mitigation measures proposed for our 17 criteria demonstrates a higher proportion of measures in power plant construction projects. Despite this, communities voiced apprehensions about new involuntary resettlement plans, economic opportunities, and unrealized corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects. Furthermore, the study revealed that local communities complained about the adverse effects of previous geothermal development projects, including air, water, and soil pollution, impacting their health, crop production, and livestock. This research highlights the discrepancy between stakeholders' concerns and mitigation measures in ESIA reports, attributed to possible inadequacies in the conduct of social impact assessment and public participation, leading to misunderstandings regarding project impacts and benefits among local communities. To address these issues, this paper recommends a more comprehensive understanding of social aspects, the consideration of cumulative impacts from other geothermal projects in the same area, and transparent communication to avoid unrealistic or costly promises during the realization of ESIA reports for geothermal energy projects

Review of Polish practices used in landscape assessment in the environmental impact assessment with a recommended procedure

The landscape impact assessment of planned developments is an important tool that supports landscape protection. As part of the analysis, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports were reviewed in terms of the methods of landscape impact assessment (LIA) and landscape visual impact assessment (LVIA). The study was conducted in two stages, which made it possible to compare analyses prepared in Poland in 2004-2017 and 2018-2022. The conclusions of the review, supported by our scientific and practical experience, were the basis for developing a diagram for preparing landscape impact assessments. Considering the specificity of the given location and the type of the planned development, we recommend taking a reliable inventory and conducting a valuation of the landscape and creating alternatives of possible changes caused by anthropogenic interference and assess them in terms of landscape consistency.

Quality of Environmental Impact Assessment Reports for Lodge Developments in Protected Areas: The Okavango Delta Case, Botswana

This paper evaluates the quality of environmental impact assessment (EIA) reports for lodge developments in Botswana’s Okavango Delta, which is a wetland of international importance and forms part of a transboundary conservation area and world heritage site. A quality review of 31 EIA reports, approved between 2013 and 2021, was conducted by applying a context specific EIA report quality review package. The review package consists of four review areas with seventeen categories and 64 sub-categories, adapted from similar international packages to address the specific legal requirements for EIA in Botswana as well as best practice. Results show that the overall quality of the reports are poor, with 71% graded as ‘unsatisfactory’. In general, descriptive areas of the EIA reports fared better, while the performance of the more analytical areas was ‘poor’. Key areas of weakness include - the identification of impacts; prediction and assessment of impact magnitude; as well as identifying alternatives and mitigation measures. Overall results suggest that currently EIA report content is insufficient to inform decision-making towards sustainable tourism development in the Okavango Delta. It is recommended that areas of weakness can be addressed by providing clear strategic direction; developing a central data management system; setting norms and standards for tourism development as well as building capacity and awareness of key stakeholders. This will ensure that EIA remains a tool of choice for decision making and avoid becoming a mere ‘red-tape’/administrative process aimed at securing development approvals.