Environmental Impact Assessment – A Tool to Conserve Biodiversity

Rohina Ruba Environmental Science & Engineering

Environmental Impact Assessment A process in which the impact on the environment of a project or a development is assessed in term of biodiversity, geology, water, energy, waste, historical & indigenous significance (if relevant) & social and economic changes. An EIA essentially address the impact of project has on rare species of plants & animals, human health and incorporate present polices, legislative situations and future development needs.

Purpose of EIA The sole purpose of an EIA is to act as a planning

tool & give the environment a place in the decision making process

Promotes sustainable development by identifying environmentally sound practice and mitigation measures for developments

Biodiversity Conservation Biodiversity conservation is about saving life on Earth in all its

forms and keeping natural ecosystems functioning and healthy Conserving biodiversity means ensuring that natural landscapes,

with their array of ecosystems, are maintained, and that species, populations, genes, and the complex interactions between them, persist into the future.

It is estimated that the current species extinction rate is between 1,000 and 10,000 times higher than it would naturally be (WWF).

Why Biodiversity Consider in EIA ?

Biodiversity should be considered in EIAs because conservation of biodiversity is an essential element of sustainable development

It should also be considered because the CBD specifically requires EIA to consider impacts on biodiversity in the development of projects can help ensure their long-term viability

To ensure that the environmental consequences of its programme and policies that are likely to have significant adverse impacts on biological diversity are duly taken into account

Why Biodiversity Consider in EIA ?

Habitat loss and degradation, Habitat fragmentation, Loss of species, Natural environmental processes, Direct impacts, Alien invasive organisms, Pollution effects

provide detailed information on conservation priorities and on types and conservation status of ecosystems.

describe trends and threats at ecosystem as well as species level and provide an overview of planned conservation activities

Criteria For EIA… cont’dNature of impact

evaluation of the type of effect on the affected environment.

Extent of the impact Site Specific : Limited to the site and its immediate surroundings Regional Level : If the site for birds or mammals is destroyed, the population

might leave the area or go extinct Impact on a national scale - if an ecosystem or species of national significance is

affected impact across international borders

Duration of impact short term (0-5 years )

Criteria For EIA… cont’d

medium term ( 5-15 years) long term ( 15- 30 years ) due to natural process or by human intervention Discontinues : Impact only occur during specific climatic conditions or during a

particular time of year

Intensity low impact : affect on environment in such a way that natural, soil & cultural

process are not affected Average or Medium Impact High Impact : Natural, cultural or soil process are altered to the extent that they

will temporarily or permanently cease

Criteria For EIA… cont’dProbability of occurrence low probability Average probability High probability definite : Impact will occur regardless of any prevention measures

Determination of significance No Significance : The impacts do not influence the environment in any way Low Significance : The impacts will have a minor influence on the environment require

alternative mitigations High Significance : The impacts will have a major influence on the environment.

Influence decision, regardless of any possible mitigation

Different stages of EIA to Conserve BiodiversityScreening: to determine which projects or developments require a full or partial impact assessment study legal requirements for EIA may not guarantee that biodiversity

will be taken into account, consideration should be given to incorporating biodiversity criteria into existing screening criteria

screening criteria can be found in national biodiversity strategies and action plans (NBSAPs) because they provide detailed information on conservation priorities

To facilitate the development of screening criteria, the three levels of diversity are important

Questions pertinent to screening on biodiversity impacts

Level of diversity Conservation of biodiversity Sustainable use of biodiversity

Ecosystem diversity

Any activity lead either a directly or indirectly serious damage or total loss of an ecosystem

Any activity affect the sustainable human exploitation of an ecosystem (destructive or non-sustainable)

Species diversity Any activity cause a direct or indirect loss of a population of species

Any activity affect the sustainable use of a population of a species

Genetic diversity Any activity result in extinction of a population of a localized endemic species

Any activity cause a local loss of varieties of cultivated plants or domesticated animals which are important for social, scientific & economic purpose

Biodiversity-inclusive screening criteria

Set out circumstances in which EIA is justified on the basis of biodiversity considerations Categories of activities known to cause biodiversity impacts,

including thresholds size of the intervention area, magnitude, duration and frequency of the activity

The magnitude of biophysical change that is caused by the activity

Maps indicating areas important for biodiversity, often with their legal status

Biodiversity geographical screening criteria

Protected areas: defined as areas in which no human intervention is allowed, or as areas where EIA is required

Threatened ecosystems areas: where certain activities would always require an EIA

habitat for threatened species: always require an EIA at an appropriate level of detail.

Areas with other relevant ecosystem services: such as flood storage areas, groundwater recharge areas, catchment areas, areas with valued landscape quality the need for impact assessment

All other areas: no EIS is required from a biodiversity perspective maybe for other reasons

Different stages of EIA to Conserve BiodiversityScoping: to identify which potential impacts are relevant to assess, to identify alternative solutions that avoid, mitigate or compensate adverse impacts on biodiversity Mitigation measures: The purpose of mitigation in EIA is to look for ways to

achieve the project objectives to avoiding negative impacts and optimizing environmental benefits.

Describe the type of project, and each project activity in terms of its nature, magnitude, location, timing, duration and frequency

Define possible alternatives, including “no net biodiversity loss” or “biodiversity restoration” alternatives

Describe expected biophysical changes in soil, water, air, flora, fauna and any socio-economic changes caused by the activity

Different stages of EIA to Conserve Biodiversity

Assessment and evaluation of impacts and development of alternatives: to predict and identify the likely environmental impacts of a proposed project or development Redesign of alternatives, mitigation measures, planning of impact management,

evaluation of impacts and alternatives Consider the full range of factors affecting biodiversity these include land conversion,

vegetation removal, emissions, disturbance, introduction of invasive alien species or genetically modified organisms & also cultural, social and economic factors

Explain the expected consequences of the loss of biodiversity associated with the proposal, including the costs of replacing ecosystem

Focus on processes and services, which are critical to human well-being and the integrity of ecosystems especially the main risk for biodiversity

Different stages of EIA to Conserve Biodiversity

Reporting the environmental impact statement (EIS) or EIA report: including an environmental management plan (EMP), and a non-technical summary for the general audience The proponent to plan, design and implement the proposal in a way that

minimizes the negative effect on the biophysical and socio-economic environments

The Government or responsible authority to decide whether a proposal should be approved

The public to understand the proposal and its impacts on the community and environment, and provide an opportunity for comments on the proposed action

Different stages of EIA to Conserve Biodiversity Review: of the environmental impact statement, based on the terms of reference (scoping) and public participation and stakeholders Reviewers be independent and different from the persons/organizations who prepare

the environmental impact statement.

Decision-making: on whether to approve the project or not, and under what conditions & Monitoring, enforcement and environmental auditing and mitigation measures It is important that there are clear criteria for taking biodiversity into account in

decision-making, and to guide trade-offs between social, economic and environmental issues including biodiversity

The precautionary approach should be applied in decision-making in cases of scientific uncertainty when there is a risk of significant harm to biodiversity

THANK YOU