Abstract
ESIAs are sometimes criticised for being overly academic, with focus placed on baseline data collection and impact analysis rather than the design and development of a realistic and actionable, properly- resourced management plan which will cascade down through the project design stages and into construction and operation. Regulators are often under-resourced and sometimes fail to appreciate the need for detailed and workable controls which will adequately address E&S risks during project development.
This paper will examine four infrastructure projects whose management plans had to be re-opened or re- worked in order to produce a sufficiently robust and granular management plan which would bring the project into line with the lender’s E&S requirements.
Based on this project experience, the paper will propose a novel approach to ESIAs, whereby the study is driven by a provisional management plan developed during the scoping stage. This front-loaded, outcome-oriented approach will produce management plans that are more fit-for-purpose, proportionate and cost-effective, improving E&S management throughout the life of a project and will allow early identification of resource issues and capacity building needs. The approach is based on the concept of adaptive management – a focused, structured, iterative process that informs robust decision making. The paper will set out recommendations for how to apply this approach, while avoiding typical obstacles to implementation, and invite consideration by IAIA attendees.
This paper will examine four infrastructure projects whose management plans had to be re-opened or re- worked in order to produce a sufficiently robust and granular management plan which would bring the project into line with the lender’s E&S requirements.
Based on this project experience, the paper will propose a novel approach to ESIAs, whereby the study is driven by a provisional management plan developed during the scoping stage. This front-loaded, outcome-oriented approach will produce management plans that are more fit-for-purpose, proportionate and cost-effective, improving E&S management throughout the life of a project and will allow early identification of resource issues and capacity building needs. The approach is based on the concept of adaptive management – a focused, structured, iterative process that informs robust decision making. The paper will set out recommendations for how to apply this approach, while avoiding typical obstacles to implementation, and invite consideration by IAIA attendees.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Proceedings of the International Association of Impact Assessment Conference 2024, Dublin, Ireland 2024 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Publication status | Published - 01 May 2024 |
Event | IAIA2024: Annal conference of the International Association of Impact Assessment (IAIA) - Dublin, Ireland Duration: 24 Apr 2024 → 27 Apr 2024 https://2024.iaia.org/ |
Conference
Conference | IAIA2024 |
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Abbreviated title | IAIA2024 |
Country/Territory | Ireland |
City | Dublin |
Period | 24/04/2024 → 27/04/2024 |
Internet address |
Keywords
- EIA
- environmental management
- Environmental assessment