The Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), which is based on an integrated assessment of the varied impact of projects, programmes, and policy efforts, looks to be a promising instrument. The ESIA responds to a growing understanding of the need to capture the complex and powerful interrelationships that exist between land and society. Furthermore, ESIA allows for the assessment and management of local conflicts, but new and unique conflict analysis methods can help to improve the ESIA process.
Objective of ESIA
The objective of the Environmental Impact Assessment and Social Assessment (ESIA) is to identify and assess the severity of potential impacts on receptors and identified resources; develop and describe mitigation measures that will be taken to prevent or minimize any potential negative effects and maximize the potential benefits; and communicate the severity of residual impacts that will remain once the applied mitigation
Purpose of ESIA
ESIA’s goal is to determine the good and negative effects of a project’s execution.. This is determined by examining the consequences of interactions between environmental and social components, as well as the numerous activities of a project’s development.
Methodology of ESIA
TThe ESIA process is a systematic technique to evaluate a project and its associated activities throughout the project. The process includes:
- Screening and Scoping- initial screening of the project and scoping of the assessment process;
- Project Alternatives and Base Case Design;
- Existing Environmental and Socio-Economic Conditions- stakeholder identification (focusing on those directly affected) and gathering of environmental and social baseline data
- Impact Assessment- impact identification, prediction, and analysis
- significance of impacts and evaluation of residual impacts and Generation of mitigation or management measures and actions
- Disclosure and Stakeholder Consultation; and
- Monitoring and Mitigation.
