What are the steps of EIA?

The overarching goal is to support informed decision-making by understanding how a project may impact the environment and how those effects can be mitigated, minimized, or avoided.

The stages and steps usually taken when completing an EIA typically include the following:
 

1. SCREENING. The ‘Screening stage’ determines whether the project’s environmental effects are expected to be significant, i.e., the project is screened to assess whether an EIA is necessary. This is based on project size and type (e.g., dams, factories, highways, mines); location sensitivity (e.g., wetlands, protected areas, urban areas); national EIA laws or thresholds; and other relevant factors.
    
2. SCOPING. The ‘Scoping stage’ involves assessing and determining, or ‘scoping’, the amount of information and analysis that authorities will need. This step provides the opportunity for developers to ask authorities about the extent of the necessary information to make an informed decision about the project and its effects. The outputs of this stage are the terms of reference on which the assessment is made. 
    
3. BASELINE DATA COLLECTION. The actual assessment begins with a thorough baseline characterization of existing environmental conditions. This involves conducting field surveys and sampling programs to document current air quality, water resources, water quality, biodiversity, noise levels, and other relevant parameters. These measurements provide reference points against which potential impacts will be evaluated through environmental monitoring systems.
    
4. IMPACT PREDICTION. Impact prediction employs analytical techniques appropriate to specific environmental aspects. These might include air dispersion modeling for air emissions, hydrological analysis for water use, noise propagation calculations, or habitat assessment methodologies for biodiversity loss analysis. Each technique converts project specifications into predicted environmental outcomes.
    
5. ASSESSMENT OF ALTERNATIVES. Developers are typically required to describe the reasonable alternatives that have been identified and studied, and to compare their environmental impacts with those of the chosen project option. 
    
6. MITIGATION MEASURES. Mitigation planning follows impact identification, applying the hierarchy of avoidance, minimization, restoration, and offsetting adverse effects. Each measure requires evaluation regarding technical feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and expected environmental benefit. Note that when considering alternatives, these mitigation measures may influence how alternatives are assessed. For example, an alternative might be regarded as unfeasible until a mitigation measure that reduces its impact is considered.
    
7. SIGNIFICANCE EVALUATION. The significance of predicted impacts requires a contextual evaluation against multiple criteria, including regulatory standards, environmental sensitivity, impact magnitude, duration, frequency, reversibility, and public concern, among others. This determination typically combines quantitative thresholds with qualitative considerations of environmental value.
    
8. MONITORING MEASURES. Monitoring measures for projects with significant adverse effects should generally be included in the EIA Report. Typically, monitoring measures can help ensure that projects meet all existing environmental legal requirements and that impacts align with the EIA Report projections. They should also ensure that any mitigation measures for expected significant effects are carried out as planned. 
   
    

Monitoring Measures should always strive to be proportionate to the nature of the environmental impacts in terms of the time, costs, and other resources involved. They should be specific and detailed enough to ensure their implementation, including defining roles, responsibilities, and resources. In some cases, economies of scale can be achieved through the joint monitoring of related Projects. Measures should also be capable of identifying important unforeseen effects.

The developer, or the expert(s) on his behalf, assesses the steps above. The outputs of the assessment are presented in the EIA Report, which is submitted to the competent authority. The authority then makes the EIA Report available to relevant authorities, including local and regional authorities, as well as to other interested organisations and the public for review. 

The competent authority examines the EIA report, including the comments received during consultation. It issues a Reasoned Conclusion on whether the project entails significant environmental effects, as well as the final decision on Development Consent.

At Applus+, we bring over 25 years of experience in environmental consulting, including comprehensive environmental impact analysis and assessments across diverse markets. Our expertise is supported by proprietary technologies for environmental monitoring, carbon footprint calculation, and regulatory compliance management, among others. Connect with us to discover how we can assist you.