Eia PSDP
Eia PSDP
Eia PSDP
Dr. K. Soundaranayaki,
Assistant Professor,CES Anna University –Chennai-25
These slides are for your reference and easy preparation of the subject. you have to refer your text book for thorough knowledge of
the subject.
UNIT 4-TOOLS FOR
SUSTAINABILITY ASSESSMENT
Environmental Impact
Assessment (EIA)
• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a
process of evaluating the likely environmental
impacts of a proposed project or
development, taking into account inter-
related socio-economic, cultural and human-
health impacts, both beneficial and adverse.
Environmental Impact
Assessment (EIA)
• The International Association for Impact
Assessment (IAIA) defines an environmental
impact assessment as "the process of
identifying, predicting, evaluating and
mitigating (reducing) the biophysical, social,
and other relevant effects of development
proposals prior to major decisions being taken
and commitments made".
(EIA)- objectives
• Detailed study based on environmental assessment (EA) to
determine the type and level of effects an existing facility is having,
or a proposed project would have, on its natural environment.
• Its objectives include
• (1) to help decide if the effects are acceptable or have to be
reduced for continuation of the facility or proceeding with the
proposed project,
• (2) to design/implement appropriate monitoring, mitigation, and
management measures,
• (3) propose acceptable alternatives, and
• (4) to prepare an environmental impact report (EIR).
• The adequacy of an EIA is based on the extent to which the
environmental impacts can be identified, evaluated, and mitigated.
IMPACTS OF DEVELOPMENT ON
ENVIRONMENT
• Human impact on the
environment or anthropogenic impact on the
environment includes changes to biophysical
environments and ecosystems, biodiversity
and natural resources caused directly or indirectly by
humans.
• Modifying the environment to fit the needs of
society is causing bad effects, which become worse
as the problem of human population continues.
• Some human activities that cause damage (either
directly or indirectly) to the environment on a global
scale include human reproduction,
overconsumption, overexploitation, pollution and
deforestation, to name but a few.
• Some of the problems, including global warming
and biodiversity loss pose an existential risk to
the human race.
• Human activity is causing environmental
degradation, which is the deterioration of
the environment through depletion of resources
such as air, water and soil, the destruction of
ecosystems, habitat destruction, the extinction of
wildlife, and pollution.
• It is defined as any change or disturbance to the
environment perceived to be deleterious or
undesirable.
• As indicated by the I=PAT equation,
environmental impact (I) or degradation is
caused by the combination of an already very
large and increasing human population (P),
continually increasing economic growth or per
capita affluence (A), and the application of
resource-depleting and polluting technology
(T).
• The major environmental concerns at present
include:
Global warming
Ozone Layer Depletion
Habitat destruction
Habitat destruction
Desertification
Ocean acidification
Land degradation
Water degradation
Disruption of the nitrogen cycle
Mass extinction, defaunation, and decline in
biodiversity
EIA-ADVANTAGES
• One of the main strengths of environmental assessment (EA) is its
flexibility.
• Project planning processes can integrate EA as essential step giving
sensitivity to the social and economic as well as environmental
impacts of projects.
• In this way project managers can compensate shortcomings in the
project planning process.
• The EA can help establish and strengthen decision-making and
communication mechanisms within a project.
• It can also pave the way for introducing innovations.
• An EA may reveal sound environmental, social or economic reasons
for shifting a project's direction.
• EA process may also function as a project control mechanism.
• Duration for EA will hinge on
1. The size and complexity of the proposed
project.
2. The extent of co-operation received from the
project sponsor and third parties such as
local government.
3. The level of interest and support
demonstrated by the community.
4. The ability of the project team to sustain
interest in the EA.
5. The skills of the EA team.
6. The EA techniques employed.
Types of EIA
• In principle, environmental assessment can be undertaken for
1. Individual projects such as a dam, motorway, airport or factory
and call it as 'Environmental Impact Assessment' (EIA).
• Magnitude of Impact
• Extent of Impact
• Duration of Impact
• Significance of the Impact
– Specific legal requirements
– Public views and complaints
– Threat to sensitive ecosystems and resources
– Duration
– Likelihood or probability of occurrence
– Geographical extent of the impact
– Cost of mitigation
Analysis of alternatives