7.1F Environmental impact assessment (HL) Notes

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in Sustainable Resource Management

The purpose of an EIA is to assess the impacts of a proposed project on the natural environment, local communities, and economies, and to develop strategies to minimize negative effects while enhancing positive outcomes.

Key Components of an EIA

Environmental Assessment:

1. Objective: To understand how a project will affect the surrounding natural environment.
2. Methods:
   1. Baseline surveys to understand current environmental conditions.
   2. Impact prediction based on data from the project location.

Social Assessment:

1. Objective: To evaluate how the development project will affect local communities and populations.
2. Methods:
   1. Consultation with local communities and stakeholders.
   2. Surveys and interviews to assess public perceptions and concerns.

Economic Assessment:

1. Objective: To assess the financial feasibility and economic sustainability of the project.
2. Methods:
   1. Cost-benefit analysis
   2. Risk assessment to determine economic risks associated with the project's environmental impact.

EIA Process

1. Screening: Determines whether an EIA is required for the project and its scope.
2. Scoping: Identifies the key environmental, social, and economic issues to be addressed.
3. Impact Analysis: Assesses the potential impacts on the environment and society.
4. Mitigation Measures: Develops strategies to minimize or compensate for negative impacts.
5. Reporting: The findings are compiled into an EIA report for review by stakeholders, including government authorities and the public.
6. Monitoring: Ensures that the mitigation measures are implemented and that impacts are monitored throughout the project lifecycle.

Examples of Projects with EIA

Benefits of EIA in Sustainable Resource Management

1. Proactive Management of Environmental and Social Risks: Identifies and addresses potential issues before a project begins.
2. Informed Decision-Making: Provides policymakers and stakeholders with detailed data to make sustainable and environmentally-friendly choices.
3. Public Participation: Ensures that the local community and stakeholders are consulted, increasing transparency and public trust.
4. Sustainability: Promotes the long-term sustainability of resources, ensuring that development does not occur at the expense of future generations.

Parameters addressed by Environmental Impact Assessment

1. When conducting an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), the objective is to predict and evaluate the potential impacts of a development project on the environment and society.
2. The specific parameters addressed by an EIA vary depending on the type of project, the location, and the environmental, social, and economic factors involved.

Key Parameters Addressed in an EIA

Air Quality:

Assessment Focus: Predict the changes in air quality due to emissions from construction, transportation, and operational activities.

1. Indicators: Levels of pollutants such as CO2, NOx, SO2, particulate matter (PM), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
2. Relevance: Impact on human health, ecosystems, and climate change.

Water Resources:

Assessment Focus: Impact on surface and groundwater resources, including availability, quality, and flow patterns.

1. Indicators: Changes in water levels, flow rates, water temperature, and contamination (e.g., nitrates, heavy metals, oil).
2. Relevance: Potential effects on drinking water supplies, irrigation, and aquatic ecosystems.

Biodiversity and Ecosystems:

Assessment Focus: Impact on local flora, fauna, and habitats.

1. Indicators: Presence and abundance of species, habitat loss, fragmentation, and potential for species to become endangered or extinct.
2. Relevance: Ecosystem services like pollination, water filtration, and carbon sequestration.

Soil and Land Quality:

Assessment Focus: Impact on soil structure, quality, and use.

1. Indicators: Erosion, soil compaction, contamination, changes in agricultural productivity, and land degradation.
2. Relevance: Implications for agriculture, local economies, and ecosystem health.

Climate Change and Carbon Emissions:

Assessment Focus: Evaluation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the project's contribution to climate change.

1. Indicators: Carbon footprint, emissions of CO2, methane, and other GHGs.
2. Relevance: Contribution to global warming and potential climate adaptation or mitigation strategies.

Noise and Vibration:

Assessment Focus: Impact of construction and operational activities on noise levels and vibrations.

1. Indicators: Decibel levels at various distances from the project site, changes in noise due to machinery, traffic, and operations.
2. Relevance: Impact on human health, wildlife, and local communities (e.g., stress, disruption, hearing loss).

Cultural and Archaeological Heritage: