Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a process of evaluating the likely environmental impacts of a proposed project or development, taking into account inter-related socio-economic, cultural, and human-health impacts, both beneficial and adverse. The purpose of the assessment is to ensure that decision-makers consider the environmental impacts when deciding whether or not to proceed with a project. The International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA) defines EIA as "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 commitments made".
The EIA process typically involves five main stages: screening, scoping, preparing the EIA report, making an application and consultation, and decision making. The EIA report has to include the likely significant environmental effects of the development. If an EIA is required, an Environmental Assessment Impact Report will be written and submitted with the application for development consent, and the public will have the chance to comment.
EIAs make sure that project decision-makers think about the likely effects on the environment at the earliest possible time and aim to avoid, reduce, or offset those effects. This ensures that proposals are understood properly before decisions are made. Environmental assessments are filed every year, and they are designed to provide sufficient information to allow the agency to decide whether the preparation of a full-blown Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is necessary.
In summary, EIA is a tool used to assess the significant effects of a project or development proposal on the environment, and it aims to predict environmental impacts at an early stage in project planning and design, find ways and means to reduce adverse impacts, shape projects to suit the local environment, and present the predictions and options to decision-makers.
