n environmental impact assessment is a formal process used to predict the environmental consequences

An introduction to Environmental Impact Assessment and its benefits and compliance.

1. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
SEE-609 3(3-0)
Engr. Dr. Shahbaz Nasir Khan
Lecturer,
Department of Structures and Environmental Engineering
Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Technology,
University of Agriculture, Faisalabad.

2. What is EIA
✓An environmental impact assessment
is a formal process used to predict the
environmental consequences (positive
or negative) of a plan, policy,
program, or project prior to the
implementation decision
✓Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
is the process of assessing the likely
environmental impacts of a proposal
and identifying options to minimize
environmental damage

3. International Association for
Impact Assessment (IAIA)
According to IAIA
“ the process of identifying, predicting, evaluating and
mitigating the biophysical, social and other relevant
effects of development proposals prior to major
decisions being taken and commitment mode”

5. Purpose of EIA
To ensure that decision makers consider the environ.
Impacts when deciding weather or not to proceedwith
the project
Bringing Impacts to acceptable level
Its not adhered to predetermined environmental
outcome

6. EIA objectives
Ensuring environmental factors are considered in the
decision-making process
Ensuring that possible adverse environmental impacts
are identified and avoided or minimized to the extent
best possible
Taking the Stakeholderson board

7. Advantages of EIA
Facilitates the design
of a monitoring
program
Allows people to
examine the underlying
need for a project
Gives people the
opportunity to identify
problems
Helps a developer to
design a more publicly
acceptable project
Exploration of
alternatives can help
identify cost-saving
and other beneficial
changes

8. History of EIA
EIA came to ears in 60s (Environmental Awareness)
Its increasing very fast around the world (Environmental
threat)

10. Australia
Its Sixth-largest country by total area
Total population is 23.6 million
Developed country (12
th
largest economy)
Per capita income (5
th
highest in the world)
HDI (2
nd
in the world)
Pakistan’s got 152
nd
slot in the HDI list 2021

11. Australia
State level (Provincial)
It is linked directly to
U.S. National
Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) in 1969, making
preparation of EIA
report a requirement
New South Wales was
the pioneer state
starting EIA guidelines in
1974
Commonwealth level (Federal)
It provides a legal
framework to protect
and manage nationally
and internationally
entities

12. Commonwealth Enlisted
Entities
World Heritage sites
National heritage sites
RAMSAR wetlands of international significance
Listed threatened species and ecological communities
Migratory species protected under international
agreements

13. Cont’
The Commonwealth marine environment
the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park;
Nuclear actions (uranium mining)
Water resources, in relation with coal seam gas
development and large coal mining development.

14. Environment Protection and
Biodiversity Conservation Act
1999
Provides Assessment & Approval process for activities
Applicable to activities on Commonwealth land listed as
having Significant impact on matters of National
environment significance.

15. Cont'
EPBC Acts being initiated when a person wants to assess
his project/ proposal under this act.
Assessment report is being released to public for
feedback and comments.
DoE Assess makes recommendations and report to
minister or delegate for feasibility

16. Minister got the discretionary powers considering social
and economic impacts beyond national environment
significance
But if the project is favoring state then minister can not
overturn the state decision

17. Penalties
There are strict civil & criminal penalties for the breach
of EPBC Act.
Civil penalty max. $ 550,000 for individual and $ 5.5
million for a body corporate
Criminal penalty max. of seven years imprisonment

18. Thanks