ENVS304

EIA and Decision Making

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The decision makers
 Inevitably there will be several decision-
makers involved in complex, or even
relatively simple, projects.
 The number and type of decision-makers will
depend on the EIA procedures and legislation
operating in the country of the project.

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The decision makers
 E.g. a project using funds loaned by an international
financial organisation is likely to have the following
decision-makers:
 the financing organisation
 to ensure that the project complies with its own EIA requirements
and that environmental impacts will be acceptable
 the Authority in the case of Botswana and other
government representatives
 etc.

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What makes effective decision making
At a minimum, decision-makers need to understand:
 the basic concept and purpose of EIA (and
SEA);
 EIA requirements, principles and guidelines that
are applicable;
 limitations that may need to be placed on
information and advice contained in an EIA
report;

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What makes effective decision making

At a minimum, decision-makers need to understand:

 how EIA process and practice measure up to
accepted standards (internationally and locally)

 the issues associated with public consultation in

decision-making,
 including third party and
 legal challenges to the authorisation of proposals
subject to EIA.

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Sustainability and decision making

 Decision-makers need to have the

requisite knowledge of the sustainability
agenda and tools
 So as to take fuller advantage of EIA as a
sustainability instrument.

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Environmental considerations
Decision-makers are encouraged to:
 implement the sustainability commitments made at
Rio;
 broaden their perspectives of the environment and
its values;
 better communicate information and reasons for
decisions;
 apply the precautionary principle when addressing
the environmental impacts of development
proposals;
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Environmental considerations cntd.

 look for improved ways of making trade-offs

among environmental, economic and social
factors;
 adopt more open and participatory approaches
to decision-making; and
 use strategic tools to aid decision-making,
 including SEA for proposed policies and plans

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The process
 The decision-making process is iterative,
whereby the conclusions reached at each
stage narrow down the choices to be
made at the next one.
 i.e.
each stage of EIA is assessed and
decision is also based on preceding stage(s)
 Starting from screening, scoping, impact analysis,
mitigation, review

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 The Decision-making Process
 The ultimate decision is based on information
from a number of different sources (packaged in
the statement) and involves making a large
number of trade-offs.
a balance must be struck between the benefits and
costs;
 their environmental, economic and social elements
must be weighed, and
 uncertainties and arguments over the significance of
risks and impacts must be addressed.

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Important factors

 Factors that are important in the final

approval of a proposal include:
 findings of significant impacts contained in the
EIA report;
 inputs from economic and social appraisals;
and
 other external pressures or political inputs to
decision-making.

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The report and decision making
 The information provided by EIA report is
based on technical analysis and public
involvement.
 It is a synthesis of facts and values.

 How the information is reconciled and

documented in the EIA report has an
important bearing on decision-making.

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 Information considered important for decision-makers
Decision-making stage Important information

Project background and the most important environmental issues involved

Background Basic development issue or problem being addressed (e.g. flooding, water shortage, etc)

The relationship to environmental policies and plans

Policy Context

Alternatives to the proposal (including the best practicable environmental option (BPEO) or
Alternatives
equivalent designation)
Public involvement Key public views
Concerns of affected communities
Areas of agreement and disagreement
Impact analysis Costs and benefits
Mitigation and monitoring Adequacy of proposal measures
Conclusion and
recommendations main economic benefits, significant environmental effects and proposed mitigation measures

The extent to which the proposal conforms to the principles of sustainable development
Design and operational changes to improve the environmental acceptability of the project

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Decision making outcomes
There can be a number of different outcomes from
decision-making:
1. the proposal can be approved;
2. the proposal can be approved with conditions;
3. the proposal can be placed on hold pending further
investigation;
4. the proposal can be returned for revision and
resubmission; and
5. the proposal can be rejected outright.

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FINALLY

What does the EAA, 2011 say in

terms of decision making?

Section 10 and others

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