Div

isi o

n O

f E

ar ly

Wa

rnin

g A

nd

As s

ess

me

nt

MODULE 1:MODULE 1:

Introduction to Introduction to Environmental Environmental

AssessmentAssessment

Div

isi o

n O

f E

ar ly

Wa

rnin

g A

nd

As s

ess

me

nt

WHY MODULE 1WHY MODULE 1

To conduct a successful Integrated Environmental Assessment and reporting (IEA), it is very important to understand the different types of assessments and how they differ or relate to IEA.

This module discusses the different assessments and sets the overall context of IEA.

Div

isi o

n O

f E

ar ly

Wa

rnin

g A

nd

As s

ess

me

nt

OBJECTIVES OF THE MODULEOBJECTIVES OF THE MODULE

To highlight the different types of environmental assessment and the evolution of IEA.

To give the background to IEA and how it informs decision making.

To provide an overview of the different approaches for the different assessments.

To identify some opportunities for synergy among the different assessment approaches.

Div

isi o

n O

f E

ar ly

Wa

rnin

g A

nd

As s

ess

me

nt

The different types of Environmental The different types of Environmental AssessmentsAssessments

State of the Environment (SOE)

Integrated Environmental Assessment and Reporting (IEA)

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)

Corporate Environmental Assessment and Reporting

Div

isi o

n O

f E

ar ly

Wa

rnin

g A

nd

As s

ess

me

nt

State of the Environment (SOE)State of the Environment (SOE)

Main focus is on the biophysical aspect of the environment

Usually undertaken by a government agency in fulfillment of a statutory requirement

Typically has no outlook component

Provides the basis for IEA

Div

isi o

n O

f E

ar ly

Wa

rnin

g A

nd

As s

ess

me

nt

Traditional SOE ReportsTraditional SOE Reports

Early environmental assessment reports focussed on reporting the SOE as it existed at the time of reporting. These are now referred to as “traditional SOE Reports”

Traditional SOE Reports have been useful: in pointing out existing

environmental trends and conditions.

in providing key leverage points to decision-makers.

in giving us an inventory of resources which can be used as a starting point for planning sustainable development.

Div

isi o

n O

f E

ar ly

Wa

rnin

g A

nd

As s

ess

me

nt

Traditional SOE Reports (cont’d)Traditional SOE Reports (cont’d)

Are, however, weak in many areas: They are narrative syntheses of the

state of the environment, not analyses intended to plan sustainable development

Are not integrated with the assessment of key driving forces and policies that cause or influence the environmental trends that have been identified.

Are not analytically linked to the potential future outcomes of the current state of the environment

To overcome these, SOE must be transformed into IEA with backward and forward linkages to what is continuously happening to the environment.

Div

isi o

n O

f E

ar ly

Wa

rnin

g A

nd

As s

ess

me

nt

The evolution of IEAThe evolution of IEA

Need for broad-based assessment

If we are to respond to interconnected issues. we require: Realistic assessment and reporting

practices that communicate problems and solutions to decision-makers and the public.

A broader assessment and reporting process that takes into account the links among ecological, socioeconomic and policy issues more systematically.

Div

isi o

n O

f E

ar ly

Wa

rnin

g A

nd

As s

ess

me

nt

INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND REPORTING (IEA)ASSESSMENT AND REPORTING (IEA)

Integrated Environmental Assessment and reporting (EA) is a process of producing and communicating policy-relevant information on key interactions between the natural environment and human society.

Div

isi o

n O

f E

ar ly

Wa

rnin

g A

nd

As s

ess

me

nt

IEAIEA

Integrates social, economic and environmental issues in the analysis

Strives to show cause-effect linkages of human and natural action on the environment and the implications on livelihoods

Div

isi o

n O

f E

ar ly

Wa

rnin

g A

nd

As s

ess

me

nt

IEA needs to incorporate policy IEA needs to incorporate policy assessment for the whole systemassessment for the whole system

The intentional or unintentional consequences of policies are often dispersed over space, sectors of the economy or environmental media.

The effects of policy are delayed in time.

The consequences of policies can be incremental and cumulative, they may also represent root causes of environmental problems.

Human well-being and vulnerability are affected by the system as a whole and the policies used to manage it.

Div

isi o

n O

f E

ar ly

Wa

rnin

g A

nd

As s

ess

me

nt

Human and natural driving forces and pressures are impacting the environment

IEA: Human well-beingIEA: Human well-being

Div

isi o

n O

f E

ar ly

Wa

rnin

g A

nd

As s

ess

me

nt Environmental services and human

well-being affected, widening gap between the haves and have-nots, and increasing vulnerability for the latter.

IEA: Human well-being and vulnerabilityIEA: Human well-being and vulnerability

Div

isi o

n O

f E

ar ly

Wa

rnin

g A

nd

As s

ess

me

nt

IEA: Human… (cont’d)IEA: Human… (cont’d)

Achieving human well-being is a balancing act.

Div

isi o

n O

f E

ar ly

Wa

rnin

g A

nd

As s

ess

me

nt

IEA multidimensional and incorporates other IEA multidimensional and incorporates other elements not in the traditional SOE reportingelements not in the traditional SOE reporting

Environmental media (state-and-trends of land, water, atmosphere and biodiversity)

Functional (provision of environmental goods-and-services)

Resource sectors (e.g. links with energy use, tourism, agriculture, manufacturing, mining and trade)

Div

isi o

n O

f E

ar ly

Wa

rnin

g A

nd

As s

ess

me

nt

IEA multidimensional… (cont’d)IEA multidimensional… (cont’d)

Crosscutting issues (relating to production, consumption, gender, poverty, human wellbeing and vulnerability)

Environmental issues (land degradation, air and water pollution, disasters, overexploitation of resources)

Interlinkages within and between all of the above

Policy responses and analyses

Div

isi o

n O

f E

ar ly

Wa

rnin

g A

nd

As s

ess

me

nt

IEAIEA

links environmental state-and-trends with policy responses

integrates environmental analysis with social and economic trends and policies

incorporates global and sub-global perspectives

incorporates historical and future perspectives

involves diverse environment-socioeconomic expertise

Div

isi o

n O

f E

ar ly

Wa

rnin

g A

nd

As s

ess

me

nt

IEA answers five consecutive questions in sequence, as shown below, from which we can get information to relate socioeconomic activities, environment and policy

IEAIEA

Div

isi o

n O

f E

ar ly

Wa

rnin

g A

nd

As s

ess

me

nt

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

A tool used to determine the social, economic, and environmental impact of major developments, and proposes measures to mitigate impacts.

Is project and site specific

In the context of IEA, it is a policy response

Demands for public participation

Div

isi o

n O

f E

ar ly

Wa

rnin

g A

nd

As s

ess

me

nt

Strategic Environmental Assessment Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)(SEA)

Deals with the effects of a proposed strategic action (policy, programme and plan) and identifies best practicable environmental option

A decision-support toolHelps to incorporate sustainability

principals in policy making processProvides a context for assessing

cumulative effects of different projects or initiatives

Provides context for screening projects for EIA (fully fledged EIA or Reviews)

In the IEA context, SEA are policy responses.

Div

isi o

n O

f E

ar ly

Wa

rnin

g A

nd

As s

ess

me

nt

Corporate environmental assessment Corporate environmental assessment and reportingand reporting

Management support tool (ISO certification)

Response to statutory obligation or corporate social responsibility

In the context of IEA, it is both an action and policy response