After completion of the course, the student is able to:
- Comprehend and critically assess EIA in the Netherlands and abroad;
- Learn methods of impact assessment and when it is appropriate to use them;
- Understand and critically reflect on the formal legal procedure and the political decision-making process of EIA;
- Analyse and compare the role and motivations of different stakeholders within EIA;
- Critically assess the role of EIA in decision-making;
- Analyse the content of an EIA/SEA;
- Obtain writing and presenting skills through various individual and group assignments;
- Obtain skills in cooperation and negotiation through Serous Gaming: roleplay in a real life EIA case.
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Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a legal instrument used to measure and manage the impacts of a proposed development on the environment and society. EIA was first implemented in the United States in 1969 and incorporated in the Dutch legislation in 1986. In the years since, it has become the most powerful tool for ensuring that the environment and people are considered in decision-making associated with a proposed project development.EIA is now part of (almost) all national legal systems worldwide. With rapidly accelerating population growth and infrastructural development globally, the implementation and effectiveness of EIA is therefore of significant importance.
This course is a must for those who want to work in consultancies, since EIA and SEA are the most important applied environmental instruments. The course can also be a foundation for students generally interested in policy-making, sustainable development, and environmental law, In any case, this course is worthwhile for every environmental specialist. Both, students of natural sciences and social sciences may follow the course.
After an Introduction we will focus on the differences between EIA and SEA. International developments will be considered and we will try to give you an idea how the instrument is made operational in the European Union as well as in various other countries, including developing countries. Next, we will go deeper in impact-prediction methods, how are these methods used, and the possibilities and limitation to predicting impacts on the environment. Environmental and social aspects are divided into the following themes: water, soil, biodiversity, climate change, social impact assessment and human rights, and cultural heritage. Possibilities for mitigation and compensation of project impacts are emphasized. Finally, quality and added value of EIA and SEA are critically discussed. Aspects such as context, participation and communication, influence on the decision-making, quality criteria, etc will be considered.
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