Advanced Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

Course review:

Since the 1960s, there has been growing public awareness of the interaction between development actions and their environmental consequences.

EIA systems have become established in both developed and developing countries, usually as a legal requirement of the development control process.

Structure

It has been shown that learning takes place most effectively through participation in training activities, rather than simply through the reading and lecture attendance. Thus, in addition to presentations, the taught sessions involve the learner in discussing EIA concepts and developing understanding through case study exercises.

Outcomes

The overall aim of this course is to develop the learner's understanding of the principals of environmental impact assessment.

On completion of the course the student should be able to:

* understand and be familiar with EIA procedures;
* select and use appropriate techniques in impact identification, prediction, evaluation, mitigation and monitoring;
* critically assess the quality of Environmental Statements / EIA reports;
* understand the role of different practitioners in the EIA process, and identify practical difficulties in the application of EIA;
* understand the role and application of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA).