The effects investigated in an EIA include economic and social factors as well as impact on flora and fauna in determining whether or not a project can go ahead. Sometimes it is necessary to include a Polluter Pays solution in the assessment for a controversial project to get clearance to commence. The Polluter Pays principle is designed to encourage companies to reduce the negative environmental impact a project may have.
Environmental consulting companies may suggest that a manufacturer volunteers to take on the potential costs of waste disposal of a product or develop a way to minimise the waste from it. This could be as simple as ensuring that packaging can be recycled or reducing the amount of packaging used in the first place. Taking on this responsibility shows planning officials, who are in charge of allowing a project to go ahead, that the potential effects on the environment have been addressed.
EIAs vary from country to country and rarely take into account the impact a project would have in a neighbouring country. However, within the European Union it has been recognised that a project should respect national borders, as such, a country within Europe must inform another country of any negative impact a project may have. This transboundry context allows member states of the EU to work harmoniously with one another.
Environmental consulting companies in Europe must comply with seven main features to have an EIA accepted. The first part should be a summary of the project as a whole from construction to decommissioning with regards to environmental disturbance. Any impact should have an alternative to be considered, which is stipulated in part two.
Parts three and four describe the environment and the factors that may be under threat, followed by the significance of these threats. The fifth section is probably the most important as it describes the mitigating factors that will be implemented to reduce negative impacts that have been identified in the assessment. As the report will be made available to the public, part six explains the EIA in layman's terms using non technical language.
In the final part, seven, any areas that are not fully understood are highlighted such as technical expertise required or lack of knowledge and information about any part of the project. Ultimately, the EIA should be viewed as a starting point to a project in the quest for better environmental management through the services of an Environmental consultancy.
Dom Donaldson is an environmental expert. Find out more about Environmental Consulting in many different industries at URS Corp.
Tags: environment, global warming, climate change, environmental consultants, environmental consulting, kyoto treaty