1. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
is a process that examines, in a transparent way, the environmental consequences of proposed development in advance, to inform decision-making

2. 1. In hundreds of countries around the world, by law, EIA is needed before decisions are made. [according to the law.]
2. EIA can be (and should be) used as a design tool. [EIA according to best practice.]
Environmental assessment = a proactive agent in development and not just a regulatory hurdle
“The focus of environmental assessment cannot be just negative impact mitigation and legal compliance; the potential of enhancement of positive impacts, resilience and use of impact assessment as a design tool should not be ignored”
João et al (2011), Emphasising enhancement in all forms of impact assessmet. Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal, 29(3):

3. Why are impacts “significant”?
Spatial incidence
Duration
Periodicity
Reversibility
Probabilities
Number of people affected
Sensitivity of receiving environment
Designated sites and tranquil areas
Carrying capacity and sustainability
Equity
Public opinion
Regulations
The acceptability of an impact is ultimately a social question, not a scientific one
Headington, 2 New High St,
installed Sat 9 August 1986