AdvancedTopic 86 of 112Civil & Structural
Environmental impact assessment
Evaluates project effects on environment before approval.
In depth
EIA predicts and evaluates environmental, social and economic impacts before approval: screening, scoping, baseline studies, impact prediction, mitigation, public consultation, reporting and monitoring. Alternatives, cumulative effects and environmental management plans are included.
Key points
- Environmental statement
- Mitigation hierarchy
- Social impact
ExampleA highway proposal must assess habitat fragmentation and noise.
What is Environmental impact assessment?
Evaluates project effects on environment before approval.
Why is it important to understand environmental impact assessment?
Environmental impact assessment decides whether a project can go ahead and what mitigation it needs, so it shapes the design from the start.
What does an EIA include?
Baseline studies, impact prediction, assessment of significance, mitigation measures and monitoring after the project starts.
Who uses the EIA?
Regulators, planners, the public and the developer, who use it to decide and to shape the project design.
How is Environmental impact assessment used in practice?
Typical applications include assessing the effect of a new road on a wildlife corridor, evaluating air quality impacts of a new incinerator and studying the flood risk and habitat effects of a new housing development.
What should I learn before Environmental impact assessment?
Study "Air and noise pollution control" first (topic 85 of 112 in Civil & Structural). It covers the groundwork this topic builds on.
What are the key points of Environmental impact assessment?
Environmental statement. Mitigation hierarchy. Social impact.
Can you give an example of Environmental impact assessment?
A highway proposal must assess habitat fragmentation and noise.
What comes after Environmental impact assessment?
The next topic is "Hydraulic structures", which builds directly on this one.
How difficult is Environmental impact assessment?
It is classed as Advanced in Civil & Structural (topic 86 of 112). It is an advanced topic. It assumes you are comfortable with the intermediate topics in Civil & Structural.