1.4 Sustainability Flashcards
EIA
Environmental Impact Assessment: a document that assesses the potential environmental effects of a proposed project or action, including its alternatives, to inform decision-making processes.
Stakeholder
an individual or group with an interest or investment in the success and outcomes of a project or organization
Baseline Assessment
the initial study or survey conducted to collect data on the current state of an environment or ecosystem, serving as a reference point for future comparisons.
6 stages of an EIA
Screening
Scoping
Baseline Study
Impact Prediction
Mitigation (Recommendations)
Ongoing Assessment/Monitoring
Community Consultation
A period during which local residents and stakeholders are able to feedback on a proposal.
They are usually distributed a non-technical summary of the EIA
Regulatory Compliance
When a development is proposed, legally a developer is required to comply with agreed upon government regulations.
Completion Criteria
A set of benchmarks/objective, which once achieve satisfy the regulatory requirements….often leading to “relinquishment” of the site (and return of the assurance (bond) paid for returning the land in an agreed upon condition.
Biological Offsetting
Doing something to counter a negative action or to compensate for an impact….such as planting a forest to account for an amount of land clearance.
Greenwashing
Misleading marketing that makes a product or company appear more environmentally friendly than it actually is.
Greenfield development vs brownfield development
Greenfields refer to undeveloped land, typically rural or agricultural areas, where new projects can be built from scratch without constraints from previous structures or contamination.
Brownfields are previously developed sites, often in urban areas, that may be contaminated due to past industrial or commercial use.
Benefits of EIA
Informed Decision-Making – Helps policymakers assess environmental risks before approving projects.
Environmental Protection – Identifies and mitigates potential negative impacts on ecosystems.
Public Participation – Encourages community input and transparency in development projects.
Criticisms of EIA
Time-Consuming & Costly – Can delay projects and increase expenses.
Subjectivity & Bias – Quality depends on the consultants and potential influence from developers.
Limited Enforcement – Recommendations may not always be legally binding or properly implemented.
