EV4802: ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (2017-2018)

Human activities affect the natural and human environment in a multitude of ways, varying in characteristics of effect, magnitude, spatial extent and timescale. In recent decades, concern about environmental damage in different parts of the world has led to public pressure on governments to regulate ‘developers’ and others so as to minimise adverse environmental effects, while allowing economic activities to continue. High-level policies and principles have been expressed in international commitments to ‘sustainable development’, which are translated into more detailed national and sub-national legislation and guidance.

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been developed as a critical component of the approach to achieving sustainable development. EIA originated in the United States of America and was subsequently adopted into the legislative frameworks of other countries, including member states of the European Union. It is therefore important to understand the EIA process – its background, stages and steps – and to be able to select, use and evaluate suitable techniques.

The aim of the course is to provide training in policies, principles, methods and application of EIA in the UK (EU) and worldwide. The course also aims to foster balanced judgement of the strengths and weaknesses of EIA.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, you should be able to:

• Explain the origins and development of EIA, including key policy drivers and statutes

• Describe the different stages of the EIA process, the types of activity involved, and main participants

• Explain the environmental effects of a selection of development types, taking account of the scientific evidence base

• Critically review impact identification, impact analysis, and proposed mitigation measures in case studies

• Describe the typical content and structure of scoping reports and environmental statements

• Explain the role of EIA in the development planning consent process

• Discuss the role of EIA in contributing to sustainable development, including its strengths and weaknesses

• Contrast strategic environmental assessment (SEA) with EIA

• Contribute effectively to the preparation and delivery of group presentations

• Write concise reports of your own group work and that of others, including both factual content and thoughtful critique.

None

This course runs in weeks 31-35, and is scheduled in Thread 2, so may have contact hours in any or all of these times:  Mondays, 14.00-18.00; Tuesday, all day; Friday, 14.00-18.00.  If this is an optional course, there may also be contact hours on Wednesdays, 9.00-11.00.

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

More Information about Week Numbers

1st Attempt: coursework (100%). 40% of the assessed coursework consists of three presentations or reports of group exercises in ‘workshop’ sessions, intended to replicate a common type of professional work activity. The remaining 60% is based on a written Environmental Impact Assessment report on a specific case study.

Resits: a second attempt is possible for each element of coursework, with the marks for passed elements being carried forward, depending on what was failed in the first attempt.

Workshop sessions will provide opportunities for student-student and student-tutor interaction. Formative assessment will be provided during these interactions through informal verbal feedback.

Each student will receive a mark and individual written feedback for each workshop report, and the class may receive generic feedback. Students who are identified as having difficulty in successfully completing the coursework will be invited to meet members of the course team to identify difficulties and discuss solutions.