The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is an analysis that serves to foresee the future consequences and benefits of a certain action on the environment. It is a procedure that includes a series of studies, technical reports, and consultations that make it possible to foresee the negative effects of a project. In other words, an analysis is carried out to approve or reject a project given its effects on the environment.
The incorporation of the term EIA. has generated an important change in the way of facing the process, design, and execution of human activities. Because prior to this, project approval was based solely on three criteria: economic, social, and non-environmental.
In the 1970s, the need to integrate the environmental variable as an element to guarantee sustainable progress was identified. Since there has been a worsening of conflicts in the environment, both nationally and globally.
Stages of the process
1. Beginning
In the project authorization process, the developer submits to the substantive entity a request to initiate the ordinary environmental impact assessment. Along with this, the documentation required by sectoral legislation.
2. Technical analysis of the file
The environmental entity carries out a technical analysis of the environmental impact file, considering the environmental consequences of the project. It also examines how the results of the public information proceedings have been taken into account, the points of view of the public administrations involved, and of the persons concerned.
3. Environmental impact statement
Once the technical analysis of the environmental impact file has been completed, the environmental entity issues the environmental impact statement. This statement is a normative and concrete report on whether or not to carry out the project. It establishes the conditions under which it can be carried out; corrective measures and compensatory measures.
If you want to know more about environmental issues, the Universidad Internacional Iberoamericana (International Iberoamerican University) (UNIB) offers the Master in Environmental Management and Audits.
Source: Environmental Impact Assessment
