Environmental Impact Assessment

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has become an increasingly integral part of the industrial and commercial development process in relation to the delivery of sustainable development.  This module aims to develop a sound appreciation of the importance of conducting EIA, together with an understanding of the techniques by which this can be achieved, in conjunction with an appreciation of what is happening globally in relation to EIA. The environmental assessment of plans and programmes by SEA is also considered.

On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:

• Demonstrate a comprehensive and critical understanding EIA and the importance of the process for delivering sustainable development
• Demonstrate the ability to co-ordinate and prepare an EIA.

Topics covered may include:

• The origins and background of EIA
• UK planning law and EIA
• Reasons for undertaking EIA as part of the development process
• Importance of project appraisal in the EIA process
• Project screening and scoping
• Impact prediction, evaluation and mitigation within the development
• Participation, presentation and review within the EIA process 
• The role of the local public inquiry in the EIA process 
• Planning procedures and the preparation of environmental statements 
• Environmental assessment in the European Union 
• EIA on a global scale.