Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is 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 (IAIA, 1999).
The United Nation Environment Programme also defines EIA as a tool used to identify environmental, social and economic impacts of projects prior to decision making.
It can also be defined as tool used in most environment-based organizations to measure the impact of the environment through the assessment tool. It measures the environmental consequences of a particular plan or policy. This could be important for Urban Planning and Development policies because many of these policies are centered on the environment. It supports development projects for people who assess and analyses the environmental projects. EIA does not only involve environment but also considers social, cultural and health impacts on the environment. For instance, climate change can be used as an example where EIA could be a useful tool to measure the impact of the environment on climate issues. EIA is usually used prior to making a final decision by experts, giving the people of authority a detailed plan of the positives and negatives of the EIA. (Thejas Jagannath 2019)
EIA aids to identify and predict the environmental impacts of proposed development, avoid or minimize significant negative biophysical, socio- economic impacts and identify, enhance and create potentially positive impacts. It goes through a process before the implementation of the project. These are project description, screening, scoping, impact analysis, impact mitigation, reporting, review and decision, implementation, monitoring. Some of the benefits of EIA are explained below:
There are numerous advantages to doing an EIA. Many governments and non-governmental organizations utilize EIA to better understand and implement complicated environmental concerns such as waste management and water management approaches. Before performing an EIA, certain countries have unique legislative and institutional requirements. An EIA is a requirement under Resource Management Acts in several nations, including Canada and Australia, who are particularly concerned with protecting and sustaining their environment.
Saves money and time
EIA saves money and time on project implementation while conforming to legal rules. EIA is economically practical since it requires less time than other environmental assessment methodologies, which may be inaccurate or ineffective for the organization. Another advantage of EIA is that if the procedures are performed correctly, it may be utilized to safeguard the forests, trees, water, garbage, agriculture, recreation, and cleanliness of cities. These are significant advantages for healthy and thriving city planning.
Communal involvement
It also enhanced communal involvement and understanding of the resources that are engaged during the assessment of the EIA. In the case of major environmental concerns such as climate change, society and the community can play a significant role in reviewing the techniques utilized to tackle such challenges. In a country like India, where water is scarce and unregulated, EIA would be a crucial tool for measuring water and implementing strategies like rainwater collection in Indian slums. Because the Indian government is not proactive on environmental problems, citizens are taking the issue of water scarcity into their own hands with the assistance of private firms. Such community participation is critical for EIA debate and implementation.
In conclusion, I recommend this tool used to assess the impact of the environment to all Tunza Eco-generation members including my co-ambassadors to draw private and public investors' attention on the importance of EIA and also write article about its importance in our various regions to draw the government and the people attention to the benefit of EIA to our environment because it is a very useful tool to understand the complexities of our environment. Environment based tools are becoming increasingly important in 21st century and research into environmental techniques are imperative because environment is affecting our planet Earth and all species present in the planet to a very large extent. Concerns such as pollution, climate, water and waste management need to be assessed in detail to understand the complexities so that we can improve the condition of our environment. Following the techniques of EIA will drastically improve how we management the environmental activities. Most developed countries are already implementing EIA in their laws and legal regulations. It is very important that all countries follow EIA for the betterment of the environment and human life as a whole.
Reference: The Importance of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) | Planning Tank
5 Comments
Thank you all for your motivation comment
Posted 30-05-2023 09:24
Hello Godfred! This is your mentor James!
There are indeed several types of environmental assessments in almost all types of industries. Your topic of EIA would usually be applied to government- or large-scale construction projects! As you've mentioned, it measures the specific effects that a construction and/or the operation of a project would cause to the surrounding environment. Local community involvement would definitely be one of the advantages of EIA!
Thank you for your fantastic work! Let's keep it up with your next report as well.
Posted 29-05-2023 13:55
Hello, Godfred! This is your mentor Yewon.
In this report, you have introduced EIA, which is an environmental impact assessment! Frankly speaking, I haven't heard about it yet and it was very interesting that EIA could help to save money and time!
Also, your report was very reliable with lots of specific information and statistics!!
Thank you for the great report! I'm looking forward to reading your next report too:D
Posted 21-05-2023 03:36
Thank you for your comment
Posted 12-05-2023 18:42
Waoh,Thanks for sharing this informative report @Godfred Owusu
This is one of the important tool to be used prior to starting big projects and other medium sized projects. I agree with you explanations @Owusu, You have explained EIA in a big scope.
By addition one of the importance of EIA, Is to reduce and identify any environmental damage or risk that may be posed by the specified project to be installed.
So, if the environmental damage is huge it can't be compensated to the stakeholders, OR the risk of the environmental destruction if very high and it can't be reduced/prevented.
THE PROJECT IS ABSTRAINED TO BE INSTALLED.
Posted 08-05-2023 23:49