Peterson, Kaja
(2010)
Drivers of effectiveness of environmental assessment.
[Doktoritöö]
| Tüüp: |
Doktoritöö
|
| Pealkiri: |
Drivers of effectiveness of environmental assessment |
| Autor: |
Peterson, Kaja |
| Aasta: |
2010 |
| Kogud: |
Doktoritööd > Loodusteadused |
| Keel: |
eng |
| Lühikokkuvõte: |
Environmental Assessment (EA) is a systematic process that examines the
consequences of development actions at project or strategic (policy, plan and
programme) level prior to and after decision making. EA is also an open and
participatory process that aims at designing the project or the policy, plan and
programme to produce environmental benefits.
The effectiveness of EA is defined as the degree to which EA has been successful in
meeting its objectives and purpose. The ability of EA in meeting its objectives and
purpose depends on several interlinked factors. In the current thesis some of the
factors, such as the quality of EA documentation and process are addressed. The
quality evaluation of 50 Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) demonstrated a
generally satisfactory level of quality, but it varied between different EIS and topic
areas. Most gaps were identified in the project description, mitigation measures and
consideration of alternatives. The experiments with individual and group
assessments demonstrated a large individual variability of results and herewith the
highly subjective nature of the assessment. The group evaluations resulted in
several topic areas of EIS receiving lower grades than the initial individual
assessments. It was speculated that a group of reviewers produced a more diverse
competence and thus scrutinized the EIS more severely than an individual assessor
who might not have been competent in all areas of environmental effects. Screening
of projects and plans has an important role in putting the precautionary principle
into action. However, the research results demonstrated that, for example, screening
of likely adverse effects on Natura 2000 sites was poorly conducted and justified.
Only every sixth screening decision addressed such effects. If addressed, then only
the distance of the proposed development in relation to the Natura 2000 site was
considered, ignoring the type and significance of effects. The study of the EA
process showed that participants and stakeholders had different expectations
regarding the management and outcome of the process. It is proposed that the
objectives and the outcome of the EA need to be agreed at the onset of the process,
and communicated effectively throughout the EIA process. Based on the literature
review and the current research, five interlinked and interdependent components
(drivers) characteristic of an effective EA could be derived: (1) clearly defined
objectives and purpose of EA, (2) effective participatory and discursive process
throughout the EA process, (3) high quality documentation, (4) positive effect of
EA on the design of the project or plan (i.e. integration of EA and planning process)
and on decision making, and verified by follow-up, and (5) highly time and cost
effective. The level of application of these components, i.e. the effectiveness of EA
depends on the legal regulation and guidance provided for best practice, but also on
sufficient administrative capacities and expertise to produce environmental benefit.
The applicability of the theoretical framework of other drivers of EA effectiveness,
in addition to the quality of EA documentation and EA process studied in this
thesis, however, needs to be further elaborated and tested in practice. |
| Date Deposited: |
14 Nov 2011 09:48 |
| Last Modified: |
16 Nov 2011 08:32 |
| URI: |
http://e-ait.tlulib.ee/id/eprint/15 |