Participation In Environmental Impact Assessment Process Research Articles

A framework of stakeholder analysis for public participation in EIA process: a case study of Thailand

ABSTRACT This study aims to 1) investigate current stakeholder analysis in Thai Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports, 2) explore the opinions of key informants regarding the elements of stakeholder analysis relevant to Thai EIA, and 3) develop a framework of stakeholder analysis for public participation (PP) in the Thai EIA process. Qualitative methods were employed by reviewing 18 EIA reports, interviewing 36 key informants, and brainstorming in a workshop to develop a framework. The proposed framework of stakeholder analysis includes five domains: 1) context exploration, 2) stakeholder identification, 3) stakeholder categorisation, 4) determination of participation level, and 5) participatory technique selection. The finding suggested that key elements considered in the domains should include the identification of vulnerable groups, the characterisation of stakeholders, getting multiple groups of people involved in determining participation level, and assigning professional facilitator(s) in PP. This study recommends applying conflict resolution strategies e.g. generating informal contact with potential mainstays before public consultation, involving key stakeholders in an advisory committee, and using a local academic mediator.

Comparison of China’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Law with the European Union (EU) EIA Directive

In this paper, we first review the development of China's Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) system in the past 30 years. Then we compare the framework and operational procedures of China's new EIA law with those of the EU EIA Directive. We also compare public participation, as well as sanctions and control in the two EIA systems. In addition, we identify where the processes in both EIA systems are similar or different from one another. By comparison, we noted that there are at least three obvious weaknesses in China's EIA system: (1) the application of new models for EIA legislation; (2) the improvement of EIA guidance and education; and (3) the enhancement of public participation in EIA process. Our study indicates that these three major shortcomings should be overcome and improved in China's EIA system, when compared with the EU EIA system.