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Overview of Environmental Impact Assessment
Overview of EIAThe BasicsWho Sets the standards?Why do an E(SH)IA?Where does it fit in development planning?Where does it fit in regulatory structures?Stakeholder Engagement and ConsultationCommon ProblemsSummary: What People Want
The BasicsEverything and everyone has an impactImpacts can be evaluated and predictedEIA is the process by which impacts are reduced
to an Acceptable levelThe art is to define what is AcceptableAn Environmental Statement documents the
process by which this has been achieved
EIA DefinitionThe International Association For
Impact Assessment (IAIA) definition:
“The process of identifying, predicting, evaluating and mitigating the biophysical, social, and other relevant effects of development proposals prior to major decisions being taken and commitments made.”
International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA)
EIA Best Practice Principles
Principles of EIA Best Practices The Principles consist of:
A Definition of EIA The Objectives of EIABasic Principles applying to all stages of the EIA
processOperating Principles describing how the
Basic Principles should be applied to the main steps and specific activities of the EIA process
• Screening• Scoping• Identification of impacts• Assessment of alternatives
Operating Principles
Objectives
Definition
Objectives of EIA• To ensure that environmental considerations are
explicitly addressed and incorporated into the development decision making process
• To anticipate and avoid, minimize or offset the adverse significant biophysical, social and other relevant effects of development proposals
• To protect the productivity and capacity of natural systems and the ecological processes which maintain their function
• To promote development which is sustainable and optimize resource use and management opportunities
Sustainable development
Protect ecological systems
Avoid biophysical/social effects
Environmental considerations
Fourteen Basic PrinciplesThe EIA process should be:1. Purposeful 2. Rigorous 3. Practical4. Relevant 5. Cost effective6. Efficient7. Focused8. Adaptive 9. Participative10. Interdisciplinary11. Credible12. Integrated13. Transparent14. Systematic
Credible
Interdisciplinary
Focused
Practical
Who Sets the Standards?
Who Defines Acceptability?Stakeholders
Regulators (Due process of law);Host Governments (Development plans,
statutory consultees);Home Governments (Especially US
companies)Communities (Community “license to
operate”);Developer (Corporate standards);Consumers (Company Reputation)Project Finance (Shareholders, Banks etc.);Special Interest Groups (NGO’s, Trade
Organisations)
Project
Community
Government
The Law
Why Do an E(SH)IA?
Corporate Values: Risk ReductionObjective 1: Consistency global business
Corporate Values (Customers, Project Finance, Host Governments, Benchmarking and Share Price)
Objective 2: Risk ReductionSustainability of project & Avoid future liabilities Avoidance of conflict
Objective 3: Business EfficiencyAvoid retrofittingFocused management plans
Focus is on decision making and verification
Reputation
Efficiency
Risk Reduction
Consistency
Regulator: ComplianceObjective: Consistency and sustainability within national boundaries (and popular demand)Variable in content but often comprehensive:
• Subject to interpretation according to national development plans
Focus on documentation and performance (rather than the process)
• Compliance with standards
• Monitoring and assessment of impacts
Policy
Consistency
Sustainability
Compliance
Communities: WellbeingObjective: To maintain or improve quality
of lifeFair compensation;
Development and sustainability of economy;
Sustainability of local culture and traditions;
Public Health and Safety
Focus is on influence and wellbeing
Quality of Life
Health and Safety
Culture
Livelihood & Compensation
Project Financing: Equator PrinciplesObjective: Consistency and sustainability across Finance Sector – Protecting their investmentAttracting ethical fundsAttracting “responsible” companiesBased on IFC Pollution Prevention &
Abatement Guidelines and IFC Safeguard Policies
Provide Independent Monitoring Reports
Focus is on Risk Reduction
Consistency
Reputation
Protection of Investment
Risk Reduction
Review
EIA is continuous Process that influences decision making to:Ensure regulatory compliance
Protect the rights and wellbeing of the community
Minimize corporate risk.
E(SH)IA & Development Planning
OperationInvestment Decision
Project Identification
Operation
Show Stoppers
&Issues
identification
Maintain Compliance
&Reduce risk
Should we?Are we
good enough?
Planning
ConceptualDesign
Consult: Sensitivities Legislation
Stakeholders.Set Objectives
What Objectives?
Design
Design
Design in Objectives:
What needs tobe done
Contracting /Construction
Project Management
Guidelines, KPI’s,
monitoring
How dowe do it?
Standards& Design Criteria
High LevelAssessment
EnvironmentalImpact
Statement
ManagementPlan
ManagementSystem
Environmental Impact Assessment
Investment DecisionCompany decision:
Investment to be made in feasibility study?
Questions to be answered:What E&S issues might affect the decision
Are there any “show-stoppers”
InputSecondary Information
Output: High Level Assessment:Document based on limited information
Often Highly Confidential
Very High Level
Show Stoppers
Very Early
PlanningCompany Decision:
Should project be financed?
Questions to be AnsweredWhat are we going to have to do?How much will it cost?
InputInitial engagement of government, communities
and other stakeholders:Legislation, conventions, corporate and
communities
OutputStandards (as discussed earlier) and design
criteriaCommitment
Project Standards
Initial Engagement
Material Issues
Due Diligence
DesignCompany Decision:
What is the best design
Questions to be AnsweredHow will we achieve the standards developed?How can we demonstrate that this is done?
InputIteration with design team and stakeholders;Evaluation of impacts and residual impacts;Assessment of “Acceptability.”
OutputDesign documentationCommitment to maintain standards
Plans for verification
Project Standards
Commitments
Change Order Process
EIS
Contracting/ConsultingCompany Decision:
How to implement and verify mitigation
Questions to be AnsweredHow does the company ensure it meets it
targets?How do we measure success?
InputDesign Standards and design Standards (regulatory and self imposed)
OutputEnvironmental and Social Management PlanTender documents; Audit Programmes
Project Standards
Management
Meeting Commitments & Compliance
Construction
Environmental Management SystemCompany Decision:
Options for best ES management structure
Questions to be AnsweredHow are we performing against targets?How can we run things better
InputKPIsFeedback from stakeholdersTechnology advances
OutputManagement Systems
Project Standards
Management
Meeting Commitments & Compliance
Operation
Outputs Geared Towards Decision Making and Actions
EIA in Regulatory Structures?
Needs Sufficient Information to Ensure:
Consultation has taken place
Commitments have been made
Alternatives have been considered
Technology is appropriate
Impacts have been evaluated
Monitoring and Management will take place
Outputs Geared Towards Documentation and
Verification
Stakeholder Engagement and Consultation
Fundamentals:
Stakeholders include:
Government (Not just main Regulator)
Communities
Special Interest Groups (e.g. Fisheries Associations)
NGOs
Dialogue is Two Way
Project Information to Community
Community Information to Project
Justification for Engagement:Baseline informationResources of use to the projectConflict AvoidanceImpact Evaluation (on health, livelihood, culture)Legitimate UsesDevelopment PlansTransparencyGovernance
Methodology:Stakeholder IdentificationDefinition of ConcernsPrimary Consultation prior to Baseline SurveyInformation Exchange through
Focus Group MeetingsLeafletingSocial SurveysPublic Meetings
Feedback from Mitigation and Monitoring PlansLocal lnvolvement
Common Problems
ProblemsScheduling of EIA Documentation to Regulator
Conflicting interests
Different Systems in Different Countries
Systems
Conflicts
Scheduling
Scheduling of OutputsDetermined by:
Regulatory Schedule
Project Schedule
Not always compatibleInvestment in Detailed Design often not
approved before regulatory approval
Construction techniques & abatement technologies determined by contractors – post design phase
Company vs Contractor
Commitment vs Budget
Regs vs Project
Conflicting InterestsNot all companies are committed to
sustainable development;National interests may be seen to
override other concerns; Financing Compensation
Economic Forces
In consistent application
Summary: What People Want
Acceptability
Developer
Regulator
Community
What the Responsible Developer Wants
Robust, defensible baselineDesign parametersBasis of future trends & tracing responsible parties
ConsultationLocal Knowledge & RelationshipsAvoids conflicts
• Understanding of Issues• Consistent Compensation
Resource Identification
What the Responsible Developer Wants (2)
Design and planningEfficient design processReduce hazards at sourceBasis of management systems and risk minimisation
Corporate CaseCorporate Values Raising Finance
• Banks (Equator Principles) • Shareholders
No Surprises! I.E – An Environmental and Social Management plan
What the Regulator Wants
Compliance with regulations and laws
Verification of compliance at all stages
Access to information
No Surprises!
I.E. An Environmental Statement
What the Community WantsTo be heard and to have a measure of control;
Fair compensation of permanent and temporary loss of livelihood and amenity;
Jobs
Safety and security
No disruption
Idealised EIA SystemWorks out what every one wants;
Resolves conflicts;
Gains Agreement from all stakeholders;
Influences design to minimise risks;
Provides commitments; &
Provides a vehicle for Implementation.