F2

Question 1

How is EIA explained in the International conventions?

Answer 1

“Environmental impact assessment, as a national instrument, shall be undertaken for proposed activities that are likely to have a significant adverse impact on the environment and are subject to a decision of a competent national authority.”

Question 2

What are the steps in planning a project, from an environmental perspective?

Answer 2

A - Planning
B - Solutions and Conflict resolution
C - Construction
D - Operation
E - End of Life

Question 3

What are the objectives of an EIA?

Answer 3

• 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 functions; and
• To promote development that is sustainable and optimizes resources use and management opportunities.
• To provide decision-makers with information on the significant environmental implications of certain proposals;
• To suggest modifications to the actions, that will lead to the elimination of potential adverse impacts and enhancement of positive impacts;
• To suggest the minimizations measures of potential unavoidable impacts;

Question 4

What is screening in an EIA?

Answer 4

Screening is the initial step in the process where it is determined whether a proposed project or development requires an EIA. Screening helps to decide if and to what extent an environmental assessment is necessary based on the potential impacts of the project. It is a critical phase that ensures that resources are directed towards projects with significant potential environmental effects, while projects with minimal impacts may be exempted or subjected to a simplified assessment.

Question 5

What is scoping?

Answer 5

Scoping is a crucial step that follows the initial screening process. It involves identifying the key environmental issues and impacts that need to be assessed in detail during the EIA. The purpose of scoping is to ensure that the assessment focuses on the most significant aspects of a project, avoiding unnecessary work on less relevant issues, and thereby making the EIA process more efficient and effective.

Question 6

What are the main steps in an EIA process?

Answer 6

1. Screening - to determine the need for and level of EIA
2. Scoping - identifying impacts, critical issues, and alternatives, and establishing Terms of Reference for EIS.
3. Preparing environmental impact study
   a. Baseline without project
   b. Project actions
   c. Impact analysis
   d. Impact assessment
   e. Measures
4. Analysis
5. Decision
6. Follow up (Post assessment) - monitor impacts, assess the effectiveness of mitigation and improve environmental management in the implementation.