Practise IB ESS HL 7.1.14 by applying environmental impact assessment (eia) concepts to exam-style environmental systems questions.
Evaluate the effectiveness of environmental impact assessments (EIAs) in promoting sustainable development.
(Pro) EIA can promote sustainabillity by... [4 max]
a. Assessing impacts of project;
b. Identifying mitigation measures to avoid impacts;
c. Can be used as a form of government responsibility;
d. Provides basis for more informed decision making;
e. Raises local awareness of issues / involves the public sector;
(Con) EIA can fail to promote sustainability because: [4max]
f. Can't reflect views of all stakeholders equally;
g. Recommendations aren't always acted on / no requirement to implement EIA proposals;
h. Insufficient expertise / lack of training for practitioners / no globally accepted standards;
i. EIA may not be extended to include all aspects of project e.g. social aspects/unforseen impacts;
j. May ignore/misreport certain aspects due to corruption;
Note to examiners: Allow 1 max for effective appraisal supported by arguments e.g. Even a poorly conducted EIA is preferable than none at all, as it would at least shape a mentality of caring for sustainability;