Environmental Impact Assessment

In the Hunter Valley of New South Wales, Australia, a deeply worrying trend has emerged where the approval of major mining projects is predicated on the rescinding of areas previously set aside to conserve environmental, including heritage, values. Here, I want to explore the juxtaposition of a landmark dual listing for the well-known and highly culturally significant rock art site of Baiame Cave, against the devastating impacts on community well-being posed by the extension of the Mt Thorley Walkworth Mine. The long-awaited judicial recognition of place attachment and the acknowledgment of negative consequences for community well-being via landscape-scale transformations from mining at the village of Bul-ga appear at odds with the almost simultaneous dual listing of the nearby Baiame Cave as an Aboriginal Place and a place of State Significance (inscribed on the NSW Heritage List). This case study adds to a burgeoning global literature on the complex impacts mining and other large-scale industrial activities have on indigenous heritage. The frightening example given here should serve to raise scrutiny for legislative processes and decision-making frameworks governing heritage protection everywhere.

It is well-known that the existing building stock is responsible for non-renewable resource depletion, energy and material consumption, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Life cycle analysis (LCA) procedures have thus been developed, in recent years, to assess the environmental impact of construction and operational phases through the entire building life cycle. Furthermore, the economic, environmental, and social consequences of recent natural disasters have encouraged the additional integration of hazard-induced impacts into common LCA procedures for buildings. Buildings are however expected to provide the population with safe living and working conditions, even when hit by different types of hazards during their service life, such as earthquakes. Hence, next-generation LCA procedures should include not only hazard-induced impacts, but also the contribution of potential retrofitting strategies that may alter the structural and energy performances of buildings throughout their rem...

There is an increasing need and interest in including indicators of landscape fragmentation in monitoring systems of sustainable landscape management. Landscape fragmentation due to transportation infrastructure and urban development threatens human and environmental well-being by noise and pollution from traffic, reducing the size and viability of wildlife populations, facilitating the spread of invasive species, and impairing the scenic and recreational qualities of the landscape. This paper provides the rationale, method, and data for including landscape fragmentation in monitoring systems, using as an example the Swiss Monitoring System of Sustainable Development (Monet). We defined and compared four levels of fragmentation analysis, or fragmentation geometries (FGs), each based on different fragmenting elements, e.g., only anthropogenic, or combinations of anthropogenic and natural elements. As each FG has specific strengths and weaknesses, the most appropriate choice of FG depends on the context and objectives of a study. We present data on the current degree of landscape fragmentation for the five ecoregions and 26 cantons in Switzerland for all four FGs. Our results show that the degree of landscape fragmentation as quantified by the effective mesh size method is strongly supported by the postulates and indicator selection criteria of Monet, and we identify the most suitable FG focusing on the land area below 2,100 m (e.g., excluding lakes) and allowing for an equitable comparison of fragmentation degrees among regions that differ in area covered by lakes and high mountains. For a more detailed analysis of landscape fragmentation in the context of environmental impact assessments and strategic environmental assessments, a combination of all four FGs may provide a more informative tool than any single FG.

Worldwide, cassava (Manhiot esculenta Crantz) is used for a multitude of reasons; as a main food staple in Africa (Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroun etc.), Asia (Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia etc.) and South America (Bazil, Paraguay etc.) as well as a source of energy for biogas and biofuel in Asia (China, Indonesia etc), South America (Brazil, Columbia etc.). A high demand of energy due to rapid urbanisation and development in developing countries, prompted governments, scientists and NGOs to seek other environmentally benign methods of energy production than fossil fuel based energy production systems. Thus, cassava has been identified as one of the suitable crops for biogas and biofuel production in order to mitigate the ensuing high energy demand. Like many developing countries, South Africa is interested in achieving sustainable energy and food supply, and cassava can serve as a source of both bioenergy bioethanol and biogas as well as food. However, the establishment/perennial production of cassava in developing countries generally and in South Africa particularly is facing potential challenges such as infertile land, pests problems, climate change and land availability for cultivation. However, some of this challenges can be overcome through availability of land for cassava cultivation, pest (insects) control, creation of local markets leading to job opportunities and communities acceptance of the crop for self-nourishment and industrial use.

The present study involves the assessment of
metals (Cr, Ni, Pb and Cd) in contaminated agricultural soil
(CAS) and abandoned chromite-asbestos waste (CW). High
concentrations of Cr and Ni were found in CW
(1,121–2,802 mg Cr kg-1; 985–1,720 mg Ni kg-1), which
CAS (1,058–1,242 mg Cr kg-1; 1,002–1,295 mg Ni kg-1).
Zea mays and Oryza sativa showed significant amounts of
metals in root and aerial parts. The primary factors only
consider the changes in metal concentrations in soil and
plant, while dynamic factor includes both changes in metal
concentration and environmental processes. In spite of the
high concentration of Cr present in contaminated soils and
crops, significant translocation of metals ([1) were found
only for Pb and Ni, when primary factor was used. When
dynamic factor was used, higher translocation ([1) and
bioaccumulation ([1) were found for Cr along with Pb and
Ni. The current study concludes that assessment of metal
toxicity in CAS and crops could be better evaluated by
using both primary and dynamic factors.

O governo brasileiro tem investido e deveria investir ainda mais em infraestrutura de transporte. De acordo com as leis ambientais, esse tipo de empreendimento exige um estudo de impacto ambiental (EIA). No entanto, o EIA é uma medida reguladora aplicada pós-projeto, o que permite limitadas mudanças no projeto. Para aumentar a viabilidade ambiental, as alterações deveriam ser feitas nas etapas iniciais do projeto no contexto do planejamento estratégico regional ou nacional. Para o setor de transportes, o Plano Nacional de Logística e
Transporte (PNLT) recomenda objetivos, metas e planos para ampliação da infraestrutura do Brasil no futuro. Nós avaliamos a abordagem dos aspectos ambientais como apresentada nos três relatórios do PNLT de 2007, 2009 e 2012. O primeiro relatório (2007) resumiu a trajetória do planejamento de transportes no Brasil, desde o período da ditadura militar nos anos 1970, mostrando a necessidade de considerar os impactos ambientais dos projetos de transporte e de respeitar as leis ambientais. Os relatórios posteriores indicaram a necessidade ampliar a matriz modal de transporte, que até o momento está concentrada em rodovias, e mencionaram a
importância da Avaliação Ambiental Estratégica (AAE). O instrumento AAE permitiria identificar, antecipadamente,
os efeitos cumulativos e sinérgicos de projetos como previsto no PNLT, entretanto, ele permanece ainda como uma proposta de aprimoramento na legislação ambiental brasileira. Acreditamos que usando a AAE, orientada pelo Zoneamento Ecológico-Econômico (ZEE) e alguns conceitos básicos de Ecologia de Paisagens e Ecologia de Estradas, a proteção de regiões ambientalmente vulneráveis e de áreas prioritárias
para conservação da biodiversidade no Brasil guiariam efetivamente os objetivos, metas e planos do PNLT.

The world-wide problem of increasing light pollution is assessed through the development of global maps of the distribution of zenith sky brightness with a resolution of approximately 1 km. These maps are produced using satellite imagery which provides photometrically calibrated data over the surface of the Earth at night, combined with a model of light scattering in the atmosphere to calculate the sky brightness from a given location. High resolution upward flux data have been obtained from the Operational Linescan System carried by the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program satellite, an oscillating scan radiometer with low-light visible and thermal infrared imaging capabilities. Light propagation in the atmosphere was computed at sea level based on the modeling technique introduced by Garstang which account for Earth curvature, double scattering and extinction. The Atlas reveals that light pollution of the night sky is not confined, as commonly believed, to developed countries,...

The Canal del Dique, located on the Colombian Caribbean Coast, can be seen as an "artificial" branch of the River Magdalena. Since its inception in 1650, it has undergone a series of interventions aimed at optimising river navigation between Cartagena and the interior of the country, little consideration having been paid to institutional, economic, social and environmental impacts. This paper presents a systemic assessment of environmental impact (SAEI) methodology, based on systemic parameterisation of the environment, proposed by Vega [2011], for the strategic environmental assessment of policy, plans, programmes or large-scale projects , considering a case study of the Canal del Dique environmental rehabilitation as proposed by the Colombian government. Information arising from the framework of an inter-administrative agreement between the Universidad Nacional de Colombia and the Regional Autonomous Corporation for the Rio Grande de la Magdalena (CORMAGDALENA) was used for studying the environmental restoration of and navigation in the Canal del Dique [UN-LEH, 2008]. The authors developed and summarised SAEI regarding six alternatives for hydrosedimentological management in the canal to obtain results concerning environmental impairment or improvement regarding each factor considered, and the degree of aggressiveness or betterment involved in each alternative. Alternative 4, an enhanced version of current condition (ECC) would have produced the greatest environmental benefit (i.e. limited dredging plus optimising channel-wetland interconnection) requiring the narrowing of three straight reaches along the canal and the construction of a sluice-gate system in the Strait of Paracuica (near the town of El Recreo).

Kniha Hany Müllerové a Petry Humlíčkové reflektuje posun v české legislativě a judikatuře v oblasti účasti veřejnosti v procesech týkajících se životního prostředí. Komentuje především nadcházející koncepční změny procesu posuzování vlivů na životní prostředí přinášené novelizací zákona EIA a souvisejících předpisů, jimiž ČR reaguje na nedostatky implementace Aarhuské úmluvy vytčené Výborem pro kontrolu dodržování Aarhuské úmluvy a Evropskou komisí.

Citace:
MÜLLEROVÁ, H. a HUMLÍČKOVÁ, P. Nové přístupy k implementaci Aarhuské úmluvy v ČR. Praha: Ústav státu a práva AV ČR, 2014. ISBN 978-80-87439-16-6. Dostupné online z http://www.ilaw.cas.cz/index.php?page=318.

The book of Hana Müllerová and Petra Humlíčková reflects the shift in legislation and interpretation in the field of the public participation in environmental decision-making in the Czech Republic. The authors comment primarily the upcoming conceptual change in the EIA Act and related legislation that has been prepared to respond to the critique of the shortages in the Aarhus Convention implementation noted by both the Aarhus Convention Compliance Committee and the European Commission.

The Government of Bangladesh (GOB) has set a goal to produce 6000 MW of electricity solely from solar Photovoltaic (PV) to ensure energy usage and sustainable development for every region by the year 2041. To meet this target, we have proposed a recently innovated floating PV (FPV) fed 1.4 MW capacity mini-grid system for the remote western coastal region of the country. Considering various practical load profiles, the paper contains an elaborate simulation of electrical characteristics for the modeled supply system. The simulation results show an excellent agreement with different levels of desired voltage, current, and power. Then, in-depth techno-economic and environmental analyses are presented to address the feasibility and benefit of the mini-grid. The optimum Cost of Energy (COE) from the generation facility is evaluated as 18.29 US cents which is consistent with the current tariff. We have estimated that 2500 households and 120 Electric-Vehicle (EV) scooters can save an emission of 228 and 466.56 metric tons, respectively, of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) per year. Finally, an experimental PV generation-based case study is demonstrated to emphasize the techno-economic impacts of the proposed mini-grid. For the electrical characteristics and techno-economic simulation, we have adopted MATLAB/Simulink and HOMER Pro software, respectively.

ÖZET Sanayileşme, birçok farklı alanda olumlu gelişmelere gebe olsa da bazı yan etkileri problem olarak karışımıza çıkmaktadır. Buna çevre problemini örnek gösterebiliriz. Bugünümüz bilhassa geleceğimiz için büyük öneme sahip çevreye dair bu olumsuz problemler çevreyi koruma ve çevreyle bir nevi işbirliği içerisinde projeleri gerçekleştirmek ve gelişmelerin devamını sağlamak amaçlarını beraberinde getirmiştir. Bu itibarla, Çevresel Etki Değerlendirmesi (ÇED) kavramı ve süreci ortaya çıkmıştır. ABSTRACT Although industrialization is cause with positive developments in many different areas, some of its side effects are a problem. We can show the environmental problem as an example. These negative problems regarding the environment, which is of great importance for our future, especially for our future, have brought along the objectives of protecting the environment and carrying out projects in cooperation with the environment and ensuring the continuation of the developments. In this respect, the concept and process of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has emerged. I-GİRİŞ Günümüzde sanayileşmenin bir getirisi olarak birçok ülkede farklı bir takım alanlarda yaşanan gelişmeler genel olarak olumlu sonuçlar doğursa da bazı alanlara etkisi bir çeşit problem olarak ortaya çıkabilmektedir ve bu alanların başında çevre gelir. Çevre hem bugünümüz bilhassa geleceğimiz açısından çok büyük önem arz etmektedir. Bu nedenle çevre faktörü ve yaşanan problemler birçok sektörde etkisi göstermiş ve insanlarda korumamız gereken yegane şeylerden olduğu algısını oluşturmuştur. Bu algının oluşmasının ilk basamağı yaşanan çevresel problemler olmuş ve daha sonra çevreyi koruma ve çevreyle bir nevi işbirliği içerisinde projeleri gerçekleştirmek ve gelişmelerin devamını sağlamak 1 Marmara Üniversitesi Hukuk Fakültesi

In Australasia (Australia and New Zealand) the use of health impact assessment (HIA) as a tool for improved policy development is comparatively new. The public health workforce do not routinely assess the potential health and equity impacts of proposed policies or programs. The ...

La costa de Chiapas se extiende a lo largo de 253.9 km, desde la frontera con Guatemala hasta el límite con el estado de Oaxaca. Cambios importantes se han identificado a lo largo de la línea de costa, mismos que han dejado un amplio abanico de daños ambientales, sociales y económicos. El cambio más importante identificado ha sido el retroceso de la línea de costa como consecuencia del proceso erosivo de las playas; así, se han identificado seis sitios con erosión extrema, destacando por su
magnitud y daños el municipio de Tapachula, Chiapas, donde se localizan cinco de los seis sitios. El incremento en los procesos erosivos, en cerca de 40 años, se debe principalmente al incremento en frecuencia y magnitud de eventos hidrometereológicos como tormentas, huracanes y mar de fondo, en el caso de Tapachula, se suma la deficiente planeación y construcción de espigones. A la fecha, las consecuencias registradas por procesos erosivos son destrucción parcial y total de playas, casas, comercios, hoteles e infraestructura en general, lo que consecuentemente ha implicado una gran pérdida de belleza escénica; así como un intenso impacto ambiental, un fuerte impacto económico (daños y pérdida total de infraestructura, pérdidas de playas y construcción de obras de “protección”); además de contribuir en preocupantes impactos sociales (migración de pescadores al norte del país, pauperización de la calidad de vida en la comunidad de Puerto Madero). Se sugiere fuertemente que la
conservación y administración de las costas chiapanecas y de México esté a cargo de personal altamente capacitado, que el personal oficial de primera gestión de playas (Ayuntamientos costeros) se capacite debidamente; así también, se sugiere una nueva perspectiva en la anatomía y zonación de las playas para su adecuada conservación y
administración, además de una real y efectiva vinculación entre las instituciones de gobierno, la academia y la sociedad. Lo anterior permitirá contribuir ampliamente a fortalecer debilidades, minimizar posibles peligros y afectaciones futuras que puedan poner en riesgo los recursos naturales, el patrimonio social y el desarrollo económico de la región y el estado de Chiapas.

Assessing the average energy intensity of Internet transmissions is a complex task that has been a controversial subject of discussion. Estimates published over the last decade diverge by up to four orders of magnitude — from 0.0064 kilowatt-hours per gigabyte (kWh/GB) to 136 kWh/GB. This article presents a review of the methodological approaches used so far in such assessments: i) top–down analyses based on estimates of the overall Internet energy consumption and the overall Internet traffic, whereby average energy intensity is calculated by dividing energy by traffic for a given period of time, ii) model-based approaches that model all components needed to sustain an amount of Internet traffic, and iii) bottom–up approaches based on case studies and generalization of the results. Our analysis of the existing studies shows that the large spread of results is mainly caused by two factors: a) the year of reference of the analysis, which has significant influence due to efficiency gains in electronic equipment, and b) whether end devices such as personal computers or servers are included within the system boundary or not. For an overall assessment of the energy needed to perform a specific task involving the Internet, it is necessary to account for the types of end devices needed for the task, while the energy needed for data transmission can be added based on a generic estimate of Internet energy intensity for a given year. Separating the Internet as a data transmission system from the end devices leads to more accurate models and to results that are more informative for decision makers, because end devices and the networking equipment of the Internet usually belong to different spheres of control.

... The paper identifies opportunities for taking advantage of the current environment for strengthening the EIA process. ... But the EIA reports of such projects were not approved by the concerned Environment Protection Agency prior to economic approval by the ECNEC. ...

This research primarily aims to develop a method in which road distress can be identified at early stage so that it could be maintained and fixed early thus avoiding critical damage. The primary source of data for the project was obtained by field survey with the use of vehicle and a handheld GPS to obtain the coordinates of each distress and a digital camera was used to take the pictures of the distress. The secondary sources of data include the Google Earth Imagery and the Remote sensing data. The approach adopted in this work involves obtaining the Global Positioning System (GPS) and the photographs of each distress noticed on the road, and then attaching the photographs to the classified map. The study was conducted in Yewa South Local Government in Ogun State in Nigeria which cover an area of 656,54 sqkm with population of 168,850 at the 2006 census. The study area has a total road length of 893.017 km. Assessment of road infrastructure using remote sensing and ArcGIS Geodataba...

Evaluating the sensitivity of geodiversity features to development projects may be a part of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in the UK. However, there are no published environmental assessment techniques or good practice guides relating specifically to impacts on geodiversity. This document presents an EIA methodology for geodiversity assets in the county of Norfolk. It evaluates impact under the categories of conservation value and utilitarian value. It is intended as a resource for planners, consultants, geoconservationists, and those carrying out EIA in the county, and to complement the production of other types of Environmental Statement. It includes a fictional case study.