IB ESS HL 7.1.15 EIA guidance variation Question Bank
Practise IB ESS HL 7.1.15 by applying eia guidance variation concepts to exam-style environmental systems questions.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2026
- Course
- ESS HL
- Level
- HL
Exam points
- identify the relevant environmental system, process or evidence
- apply the correct ESS concept and explain the causal relationship
- evaluate the outcome using ecological, social or management evidence
7.1.15 (HL)—EIA guidance variation question 1
[Maximum number: 7]
A hydro-electric power plant is planned that will involve the building of a large dam across a river. This will result in the flooding of land upstream and regulation of the river flow downstream. The reservoir created by the dam will provide a water supply for the local community.
Discuss how effective an environmental impact assessment for this project may be in protecting the local environment.
The sub-headings below are for guidance only. Credit should be given for the Marking points whether the student identifies them under these titles or not.
Baseline study: provides an inventory of social/cultural aspects / keystone/red-listed species/unique habitats that are of particular value; this can help focus/organise/prioritise protective strategies; but ...it is time-consuming/expensive exercise; may be biased if carried out by surveyors under employment of developer; however the inventory may miss some species due to lack of funding/expertise/ done fast as project deadlines are pressing;
Assessment of potential social and ecological impacts/benefits: provides a holistic evaluation; allows input from all stakeholders; comparing to similar projects (already executed) would increase the validity of the EIA; but ...may be dominated by majority/commercial interests; political interference may occur; ecosystems are complex/newly formed and thus it is difficult to predict the potential impacts of a development on the ecosystem
Recommendations/Mitigations: these are designed to limit impact/protect the environment; the EIA report is a public document and allows public to disagree; ...may result in changed/modified construction techniques; in some countries the EIA is advisory while in others it is compulsory and so may determine the implementation of mitigation strategies; flooded area/lake/water reservoir should be designed to allow recreation activities / provide shelter for migratory birds / form a new ecologically sound habitat; but ...they depend on effective enforcement; overall project may be so large that some/a lot of ecological destruction will be done (even if the EIA is "perfect");
Monitoring of impacts during development: help to ensure developers were keeping to recommended procedures/ development before damage is irreversible; alert authorities to any unforeseen damage to environment; but ...this again is time-consuming/expensive; despite raising concerns nothing may be done to stop the impact; evaluation of social/ecological impacts after the development: would inform plans for any necessary restoration; enables responsibility/costs for this restoration to be passed on to developers; but ...not all damages are restorable/reversible; any penalties may simply be absorbed by developers as part of cost; developers may press the government to avoid paying for restoration / pass the cost to the taxpayers;
Otherwise, award [6 max] for marking points above, and [1 max] for a clear conclusion that is justified by points raised.
Note to examiners: An isolated statement/opinion e.g. "EIAs are very helpful" should not be considered as a valid conclusion. A valid conclusion may, however, be stated within the body of the response rather than at the end, and may involve some balanced decision:
e.g. An EIA would be effective only if there is political will / enough funding / local pressure for its implementation ; [1 max]
Marking guidance:
Award [2max] for whole question if response just describes what an EIA is with no reference its effectiveness.
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