Does size matter? An evaluation of length and proportion of information in environmental impact statements

Fernández, Germán Marino Rivera; Brito, Ludmila Ladeira Alves de; Fonseca, Alberto

doi:10.1016/j.eiar.2018.08.002

Cited by 15 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…The review also found higher ranking CEAs had on average a higher number of pages. Previous work has struggled to confirm a clear relationship between project spatial scale and EIA length (Fernańdez et al, 2018), though Bond et al (2014) found good practice had been eroded through recent streamlining of impact assessments themselves.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Same Space, Different Standards: A Review of Cumulative Effects Assessment Practice for Marine Mammals

et al. 2022

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Marine mammals are vulnerable to a variety of acute and chronic anthropogenic stressors, potentially experiencing these in isolation, successively and/or simultaneously. Formal assessment of the likely impact(s) of the cumulative effects of multiple stressors on a defined population is carried out through a Cumulative Effects Assessment (CEA), which is a mandatory component of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process in many countries. However, for marine mammals, the information required to feed into CEA, such as thresholds for disturbance, frequency of multiple (and simultaneous) exposures, interactions between stressors, and individual variation in response, is extremely limited, though our understanding is slowly improving. The gaps in knowledge make it challenging to effectively quantify and subsequently assess the risk of individual and population consequences of multiple disturbances in the form of a CEA. To assess the current state of practice for assessing cumulative effects on marine mammals within UK waters, 93 CEAs were reviewed across eleven maritime industries. An objective framework of thirteen evaluative criteria was used to score each assessment on a scale of 13-52 (weak - strong). Scores varied significantly by industry. On average, the aquaculture industry produced the lowest scoring CEAs, whilst the large offshore windfarm industry (≥ 20 turbines) scored highest, according to the scoring criteria used. There was a significant increase in scores over the sample period (2009-2019), though this was mostly attributed to five industries (cable, large and small offshore wind farms, tidal and wave energy). There was inconsistency in the language used to define and describe cumulative effects and a lack of routinely applied methodology. We use the findings presented here, along with a wider review of the literature, to provide recommendations and discussion points aimed at supporting the standardisation and improvement of CEA practice. Although this research focused on how marine mammals were considered within UK CEAs, recommendations made are broadly applicable to assessments conducted for other receptors, countries and/or environments. Adoption of these proposals would help to ensure a more consistent approach, and would aid decision-makers and practitioners in mitigating any potential impacts, to ensure conservation objectives of marine mammal populations are not compromised.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Same Space, Different Standards: A Review of Cumulative Effects Assessment Practice for Marine Mammals

et al. 2022

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“…Though EIS quality is loosely defined in the literature ( Bond et al., 2018 ), the quality of EIS has been reported since 1970 ( Fernández et al., 2018 ). Anifowose et al.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…(2011) Egypt 2000–2007 45 Lee and Colley Descriptive and inferential Various/Mixed 3 Badr (2010) Egypt 2000–2007 40 Quality review package Descriptive and inferential Water 4 McGrath and Bond (1997) UK, Ireland 1988–1993 44 Lee and Colley Descriptive Various/Mixed 5 Cannaos and Onni (2019) Italy 2012–2017 116 Procedural effectiveness of EIA deliberation Descriptive and inferential Various/Mixed 6 Caro-Gonzalez et al. (2021) Colombia Not given 131 Effectiveness Index of Methodologies (EIM) Descriptive and inferential, Various/Mixed 7 Fernández et al. (2018) Brazil 2005–2015 49 Lee and Colley Descriptive and inferential, Kruskal-Wallis and linear regression Various/Mixed 8 Haile (2012) Ethiopia 2006–2011 160 Lee and Colley Descriptive and inferential Various/Mixed 9 Kamijo and Huang (2016) Japan 2001–2012 120 Lee and Colley Non-parametric tests (Kruskal–Wallis test or Spearman’s correlation coefficient) Various/Mixed 10 Kamijo (2016) Developing countries 1985–2016 82 Quantitative text analysis (QTA).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of the quality of environmental impact statements in Ethiopia

Ebissa

Debebe

Worku

et al. 2022

Heliyon

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“…In this regard, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is an integral part of decision making procedures of proposed projects, plans and actions [31,32] and is one the most influential tools of environmental policy [33,34], environmental management [35][36][37] and protection worldwide [38,39]. In 1985, the first EIA directive was adopted by the EU which ensured that the effects of specific public projects were assessed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of the effectiveness and performance of environmental impact assessment studies in Greece

Papamichael¹,

Tsiolaki²,

Stylianou³

et al. 2024

Comptes Rendus. Chimie

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As environmental management is becoming increasingly complex, adequate assessment techniques must be utilized to forecast environmental impact trends. The current study aims to investigate the effectiveness of the evaluation system in Greece regarding environmental impact assessment (EIA) concerning projects. Data were extracted from literature and a questionnaire, which was distributed electronically on a Pan-Hellenic scale. Results indicated that the EIA system in Greece has solid foundations with a weak point regarding implementation. Strengths, weaknesses, and threats of EIA institution were analyzed through SWOT-AHP (Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats and Analytical Hierarchy Process) analysis. A dominant criterion in the analysis due to the dynamic of the deep economic recession was found to be the economic crisis.

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Does size matter? An evaluation of length and proportion of information in environmental impact statements

Cited by 15 publications

References 22 publications

Same Space, Different Standards: A Review of Cumulative Effects Assessment Practice for Marine Mammals

Same Space, Different Standards: A Review of Cumulative Effects Assessment Practice for Marine Mammals

Evaluation of the quality of environmental impact statements in Ethiopia

Evaluation of the effectiveness and performance of environmental impact assessment studies in Greece

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