Environmental Impact Assessment Practice Research Articles

On the underestimation of the significance of environmental impacts in Peru: an approach using homogeneous units

ABSTRACT This study examines the reliability of the Environmental Impact Statements (EISs) in Peru, focusing on projects predicted to have high negative impacts. It highlights the discrepancy between the expected and the estimated impacts in EISs, revealing a general trend of underestimating the environmental significance of projects, particularly in areas free from industrial activities. The study critiques the application of the Gomez Orea Method, originally successful under Spanish regulations but problematic in its Peruvian applications, as evidenced by inconsistencies in the methodologies and a lack of bibliographic and regulatory support for the indicators used. The analysis covers seven EISs involving hydroelectric and mineral exploitation projects. It identifies a recurrent pattern where despite the significant potential impacts of these projects on water quality, ecosystems, and biodiversity, the impacts are predominantly classified as ‘Compatible’ or low. This underestimation results in 97.37% of impacts being categorized as low, contradicting the projects’ initial high-risk classification. Moreover, the study compares the Gomez Orea Method with the Conesa Method, a more conservative approach, finding significant methodological differences affecting impact significance estimations. The study advocates for enhanced Environmental Impact Assessment practices in Peru, suggesting the adoption of more conservative assessment methods to accurately gauge and mitigate environmental impacts.

Challenges of environmental impact assessment in addressing environmental risk: insights from Brazilian practice in mining dams

ABSTRACT Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Risk Assessment (RA) are critical tools for assessing and managing environmental impacts and risks of projects. However, their integration remains a challenge. This study examines how EIA practices account for risks in evaluating the environmental feasibility of mining dam projects in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. We analyzed licensing processes for projects approved between 2004 and 2022, using data from the state’s environmental agency. Methods included documentary and content analysis of Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) and review reports. Among the 25 cases analyzed, most focused solely on risk control without performing RA. Only two cases included RA, and two others lacked any risk-related information. Review reports revealed that only two went beyond considering risk control when assessing environmental feasibility. This suggests decision-making relies on a narrow focus on risk control. Furthermore, there is a misalignment between the EIS content and the criteria for project acceptability in review reports. Finally, we explore how politicization may undermine the EIA’s role in objective, and evidence-based decision-making. These findings underscore the superficial and fragmented approach to addressing environmental risk in mining dam assessments in Minas Gerais.

Using stakeholder knowledge to co-produce research priorities for a raptor species vulnerable to impacts of wind energy facilities

The global energy transition necessitates a rapid increase in infrastructure in developing countries, including for wind energy facilities (WEFs). Concerns arise regarding the negative impacts of WEFs on biodiversity, especially on birds of prey or raptors and other volant animals. In Africa, South Africa has the largest installed wind energy capacity and also hosts several raptor species of conservation importance. One such raptor is the regionally endemic Jackal Buzzard Buteo rufofuscus (family Accipitridae), which has its core population in South Africa. Despite frequent fatalities from collisions with wind turbine blades, this species is understudied. To address this gap, we conducted interviews with key stakeholders in the wind energy sector, including avifaunal specialists, wind energy developers, government representatives, and conservation nongovernmental organisations. The goal was to begin a cooperative process to identify crucial research gaps and to establish a future research agenda for Jackal Buzzards in the context of wind energy development. Stakeholders expressed confidence in current environmental impact assessment (EIA) techniques but highlighted a concern for direct collisions as a significant threat to Jackal Buzzards. The consensus was that WEFs are more likely to cause local rather than national population-level impacts. Although stakeholders generally shared similar opinions, minor differences emerged between groups. Movement ecology studies were identified as a high priority for future research on this species. By collaboratively formulating research priorities, this study aims to improve the relevance of future investigations, fostering stakeholder buy-in for potential policy and EIA practice recommendations.

Conceptualising project environmental impact assessment for enhancement: no net loss, net gain, offsetting and nature positive

ABSTRACT With declining biodiversity worldwide, the need for development proposals to deliver positive, not negative, environmental outcomes is clear. Arguably, this is a long-standing goal of environmental impact assessment (EIA). This article explores the extent to which current project EIA practice can achieve enhancement, no net loss or a net gain of biodiversity and Nature Positive goals. Using reflexivity, a conceptual approach is applied to policies and examples from practice. The environmental enhancement goal of EIA is explained. The mitigation hierarchy is applied to a hypothetical mining example for accomplishing no net loss/net gain of biodiversity through offsets. Nature Positive is examined in relation to current EIA expectations and how it differs from the other positive outcomes concepts. To overcome the ‘controlled loss’ paradigm that typifies EIA practice, a major mindset change is needed. Recommendations include: (i) placing ‘enhance’ on top of the mitigation hierarchy; (ii) ensuring policies uphold ‘true offsets’ with provision to ‘say no’ to development for high biodiversity areas and performance outcomes accountability and (iii) developing legislative provisions for Nature Positive and how project EIA should address it. Practitioners are urged to ‘step up’ in their personal endeavours to advocate for such changes to deliver positive outcomes from EIA.

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.

Adapting an environmental impact assessment method for open pit mines in Myanmar: A modified semi-mathematical Folchi approach

Since 1970, the global adoption of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has fostered the development of multiple EIA methodologies, ranging from sample techniques to scientific approaches, for assessing environmental impacts. These methodologies encompass diverse models such as Ad hoc, matrices, checklist, network, overlay, mathematical, simulation, and dispersion models. Among these, the Folchi method is one of the quantitative matrix methods, assigning magnitudes to each impacting factor based on different possible scenarios. In this method, a matrix consisting of weighting factors is systematically utilized to quantify and standardize the effect of each impacting factor on various environmental components. Myanmar, as a developing nation that has recently implemented EIA practices, has encountered significant challenges in the realm of EIA, particularly concerning methodologies for impact evaluation, assessment, and the formulation of effective mitigation measures for various development projects. To address these challenges, this study introduces an adapted semi-mathematical Folchi EIA method, demonstrating its application in open-pit mines across Myanmar. Adjustments were made to integrate domestic environmental guidelines and EIA procedures, often overlooked in previous studies. The assessment of impact magnitude prioritizes sensitivity, project type and size, and pollution thresholds. Additionally, the correlation weights (nil, minimum, medium, maximum) between impact factors and environmental components were also adjusted based on the project's nature and regional conditions. The findings of this study revealed both positive and negative environmental impacts associated with the four case study mines. Decision-makers and stakeholders can utilize this approach in decision making process, advancing sustainable development. With suitable adaptation, this approach can facilitate a rapid and comprehensive assessment of diverse environmental and social impacts associated with various development projects in the country.

Who teaches, how they teach, and what they think about environmental impact assessment: perspectives from Brazilian university lecturers

ABSTRACT Research on teaching Impact Assessment plays an important role in seeking improvements in the quality of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). This article analyzes EIA teaching from the perspective of lecturers who teach EIA in Brazilian Environmental Engineering Programs. Using an online questionnaire for data collection and content analysis as a method for data analysis, the results are based on the perceptions of 37 lecturers. The lecturers participating in the survey are predominantly female, relatively young (mostly between 35 and 45 years old), and almost all of them hold a doctorate. Results indicate that the content taught, and the methods used are aligned with best teaching practices in EIA to varying extents. In addition, lecturers’ perceptions of EIA teaching and practice align with results of scientific research on practitioners perception and EIA effectiveness in Brazil, which point out, for example, lack or limitations in participation, but also the presence of good practices. We hope that the results can contribute to reflections and improvements on EIA teaching specifically in Brazil.

Innovation through the EIA tender: a case of Copenhagen metro and the SDGs

ABSTRACT This paper introduces a case where the SDGs have been integrated into the tender of an environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the construction of a new metro in Copenhagen, Denmark. The case gives insight into the impact that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can have on three phases of the EIA, namely i. pre-tender, ii. tender, and iii. post-tender process. By using the theoretical framework, ‘spaces for practice’ and action research, the study uses instances of collaboration between actors to understand how an EIA process responds to the introduction of new demands through the EIA tender. The study shows that incorporating SDGs as a part of the EIA tender can be a way of introducing innovations and new methodological approaches to EIA practice and reorienting conventional practices to provide greater opportunity for actor engagement, coordination, and negotiation, with the potential to drive EIA in more goal-orientated directions. In addition, the new spaces for stakeholder interactions have provided opportunities for collaborating on a commonly agreed approach towards SDG-integration, determining the appropriate scope of SDG relevance, and negotiating the role that SDGs should have in the forthcoming EIA process for the Copenhagen Metro project.

An enhanced framework for data-based environmental impact assessment in reflection of public input

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a globally recognized tool for proactively managing dynamic development projects by identifying, predicting, and analyzing their environmental impact and proposing preventative measures. However, public participation in EIA often remains one-directional and limited to procedural hearings. To address this, a technology-driven framework enhances public involvement in EIA procedures. EIA-related newspaper articles from 1990 to 2022 were systematically collected and reviewed via web crawling. This resulted in a comprehensive list of novel data demands for future project assessments, confirmed through a meticulous examination of regulatory amendments since inception. This innovative framework transcends traditional public engagement, connecting past, present, and future EIA stakeholders. Advocacy is made for integrating these complaint-derived data demands into the national EIA database, elevating both qualitative and quantitative project assessments, and curtailing environmental impacts and social disputes. While focusing on South Korea, the framework’s principles hold global potential to enhance EIA practices.

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.

Unraveling Environmental Impact Assessment Practitioners in Brazil: Profile, Education and Perception of EIA Practice among CBAI Participants

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) practice demands interactions between different actors, and its effectiveness depends on how they respond to their own expectations, as well as the expectations of other actors and legal standards. Thus, EIA practitioners play an important role in improving this process. This study examines the profile of Brazilian EIA practitioners who participated in at least one edition of the Congresso Brasileiro de Avaliação de Impacto (CBAI - Brazilian Congress on Impact Assessment in English), as well as their perception of EIA practice within the country. It is a quantitative and qualitative research based on the premise that EIA practitioners would have participated in at least one of the first five congresses (CBAI) promoted by the Associação Brasileira de Avaliação de Impacto (ABAI - Brazilian Association for Impact Assessment in English). Data collection involved distributing an online questionnaire, available between September 26th and November 1st, 2022, to all 794 contacts registered at ABAI. A total of 217 responses were obtained, with participants comprising 48% men and 52% women, with the majority falling between 25 and 45 years of age. All respondents had studied EIA (through undergraduate or postgraduate courses, or in other contexts). Most participants had more than 10 years of experience working with EIA, primarily in consultancy and academia. Perceptions regarding the quality, problems, strengths and opportunities of Brazilian EIA practice generally aligned with the literature. Respondents tended to disagree with streamlining EIA and Environmental Licensing procedures and to agree with the necessity of implementing Strategic Environmental Assessment in Brazil. The results are important to understand who Brazilian EIA practitioners are and what this portion of EIA practitioners think.

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.

Examination of recent hydroelectric dam projects in Canada for alignment of baseline studies, predictive modeling, and postdevelopment monitoring phases of aquatic environmental impact assessments.

Environmental impact assessment (EIA) has been widely criticized by the aquatic science community for poorly aligned approaches when selecting endpoints and collecting data during the baseline, predictive modeling, and postdevelopment monitoring phases. If these critical phases of the EIA process are not aligned properly, it can be difficult to evaluate the presence of postdevelopment effects. Examples of the misalignment of these phases include baseline studies failing to measure indicators that are monitored postdevelopment; predictive assessments that do not quantitatively predict conditions or potential impacts postdevelopment; and the failure to identify relevant indicators that may detect effects postdevelopment. For aquatic assessments, understanding how to protect critical ecosystem attributes to satisfy regulatory concerns could help to better align aquatic science monitoring activities across EIA phases. In this article we investigate recent Canadian hydroelectric dam EIAs to evaluate how well recent assessment approaches are meeting these necessary conditions of good aquatic EIA practice through the lens of ecosystem services from a fish's perspective. We found that larger facilities generally had baseline studies and modeling that better supported postdevelopment monitoring, but improvements in structure, linkages, and expectations would better align EIA phases in a manner that would improve assessments and environmental protection. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:616-644. © 2023 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).

Gaining a deeper understanding of the psychology underpinning significance judgements in environmental impact assessment (EIA)

ABSTRACT Significance judgements lie at the heart of EIA and provide the basis and justification for overall decision-making. Although the subjective nature of significance judgements is widely recognized, there has been limited research aimed at gaining a deeper understanding of its implications. This paper builds on the growing tradition of exploring learning from psychology in dealing with challenges in EIA practice, in this case, significance judgements. The aim of this research is therefore, to gain a deeper understanding of the psychology underpinning significance judgements. This is achieved by applying 10 concepts from psychology to the four steps in the ‘significance spectrum model’, namely: decide thresholds, make predictions, judge acceptability and consider mitigation. The results suggest that significance judgements should (with underpinning concepts from psychology provided in parentheses) aim for a limited number of key thresholds (paradox of choice); design thresholds with future gains in mind (loss aversion), reconsider probability scoring (possibility and certainty effect); avoid judgements based on limited information (What You See Is All There Is, WHYSIATI); utilise statistical prediction over expert opinion (expert fallacy); communicate carefully (priming, framing and cognitive ease); and consider personal attitudes and biases (affect heuristic).

Constructing a paradigm of environmental impact assessment under the new era of ecological civilization in China

Environmental impact assessment (EIA) paradigm comprises the beliefs generally accepted and followed by the scientific community, the research on discipline theories and dominant methods jointly promoted and formed, the institutional arrangements commonly observed, and the practical activities generated. Based on defining the connotation of the EIA paradigm and the interrelationship among its elements, this study analyzes the development of the EIA paradigm over the past 40 years, according to the leading force of institution formation and change, divides it into three stages: the initial stage (from early 1970s to early 1990s), the strengthening stage (from early 1990s to 2015), and the reform stage (since 2015). Afterward, the problems faced after the reform of the EIA are summarized from the EIA paradigm's belief, theory, institution, and practice. Under the new era of ecological civilization in China, EIA's value, disciplinary, institutional, and practical attributes should achieve effective interaction. From the abovementioned discussion, this study puts forward policy recommendations for China's EIA paradigm.

Pluralism in EIA practice: A Q-method analysis of the economic growth-environment nexus

ABSTRACT The economic growth-environment nexus explores the relationship between economic growth, as understood in the neoclassical free market or neoliberalism economic theory context, and its implications for the environment. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is considered one of the most successful environmental policy instruments to deal with the consideration of environmental implications of development decisions. Because the economic growth-environment nexus is central to discourses in EIA it is helpful to gain an improved understanding of different perspectives manifesting and influencing EIA practice. This paper aims to identify pluralism in perspectives on the economic growth-environment nexus in EIA practice. This is achieved by applying the Q-method to EIA practice in South Africa and involve the sorting of 36 statements by 16 respondents. The results show pluralism and distinct patterning with four key perspectives emerging namely: the deontological perspective, neoliberal progression, EIA polarisation and new conservationist perspective. We hope this research contributes towards a growing understanding of how different perspectives on the economic growth-environment nexus might influence EIA practice and decision making.

O Ensino da Avaliação de Impacto Ambiental no Brasil: será só um ‘Faz de Conta’?

Abstract Teaching Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is fundamental for EIA effective practice. Nevertheless, this topic has not been addressed sufficiently, yet. In this context, this paper analyzes EIA teaching in Brazil based on the curriculum of EIA courses within Environmental Engineering programs, considering best practice principles. In addition, we proposed an analytical framework that categorizes nine EIA teaching profiles. The results show that EIA teaching is present in all the programs assessed. However, the prevailing teaching profiles reveal a limited perspective of EIA, not addressing the minimum necessary for understanding EIA as an environmental policy instrument. The weaknesses highlighted indicate that EIA teaching may be negatively influencing EIA practice and vice versa, creating a vicious cycle. Thus, this highlights the urgency for improving EIA teaching in Brazil, which should contribute to Brazilian EIA practice.

Evaluating the effectiveness of a national environmental and social impact assessment system: lessons from Uganda

ABSTRACT We consider the adequacy of the legislative and administrative provisions for environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) in Uganda. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) legislation was enacted in Uganda in 1995. Although it was intended that social impacts would also be considered, the nomenclature, organizational culture and practice of EIA has given an over-emphasis to biophysical issues, with social issues being under considered. Lack of explicit instructions about how to assess social impacts and the positioning of ESIA too late in the project cycle limit the ability of social issues to be properly considered. From document analysis, an on-line survey, in-depth interviews, reflexive practice, and a literature review, we found that there was inadequate public participation, poor follow-up, low levels of capacity in all stakeholders, and political interference in the project approval process. To improve the effectiveness of ESIA in Uganda and other developing countries, we make recommendations to address the challenges facing ESIA practice.

Researchers' perspective on the main strengths and weaknesses of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) procedures

Core characteristics of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) procedures along with the quality of implementation vary from country to country and sometimes from project to project. However, several issues obstructing EIA's proper implementation are common, such as: national or regional EIA specific regulations, low quality of assessment reports, insufficient equipment and trained staff, inadequate institutional framework, lack of public participation, and low levels of cooperation between policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders. The gap between EIA research and practice is often highlighted in the scientific literature and technical reports; however, data is often limited to particular cases. This paper explores researchers' perspectives on the main strengths and weaknesses of EIA so we may advance recommendations to improve the quality and effectiveness of EIA procedures for more sustainable outcomes. We applied an online survey on EIA strengths and weaknesses to researchers that published at least one paper related to EIA in the last ten years. We use different statistical analyses, network analysis and co-occurrence analysis to investigate the 103 responses received from researchers in the field. Our findings capture researchers' perspectives and could help to change our current traditional approaches. Our results could also help us rethink the EIA collaborative process leading it toward more sustainable holistic planning by learning from past experiences, best practices, and expert opinion. We highlight important EIA researchers' recommendations for improving EIA procedures and the relationship between EIA and the scientific field, and implicitly for improving the quality of the environment and for developing a better EIA strategy.

Promoting the Participation of Indigenous Peoples in Environmental Impact Assessment: Effectiveness of Akwé: Kon Guidelines in Finland

Indigenous peoples’ participation in public policy and planning is ascribed in numerous international and national legal instruments as essential to the realisation of their self-determination. This study examines how the Akwé: Kon guidelines (AK) can promote effective indigenous peoples participation in environmental management, especially during environmental impact assessment (EIA). Special focus is drawn on the Finnish context, home of the Sámi indigenous people. The study applies an effectiveness review package by Lee and Colley (1999), supplemented by interview and questionnaire surveys, to analyse how effective the AK have been. It was found that although they were useful in promoting further interaction of the Sámi with authorities, the AK did not address their most fundamental political and legal grievances. This leaves room for EIA policy and practice, in Finland and all other jurisdictions with indigenous peoples, to consider how they can more effectively harness the potentialities in AK.