Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) aim to protect the environment by integrating environmental considerations into the concept phase of large-scale developments.
What is an EIA?
Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) are critical processes used to evaluate the potential environmental effects of proposed projects or developments. By systematically examining these impacts, EIAs ensure that decision-makers consider environmental factors early in the planning stages, promoting sustainable development and minimising adverse effects on ecosystems.
The importance of EIA lies in its ability to identify potential environmental impacts before they occur. It helps to prevent or minimise the negative impacts of development projects on the environment, and to identify opportunities for enhancing environmental benefits.
Through EIA, decision-makers can evaluate the feasibility of proposed projects and determine whether they are in line with the objectives of sustainable development.
Check out the EIA & AA studies we performed on the construction of Malta-Sicily gas Pipeline
What does the process of an EIA entail?
In the European Union (EU), the EIA process is governed by the EIA Directive (2014/52/EU) which requires member states to ensure that EIA is carried out for certain public and private projects. The directive sets out a range of requirements for EIA, including the scope of the assessment, the content of the environmental statement, the consultation process, and the monitoring of the environmental impacts of the project.
Environmental Impact Assessment
Aim to protect the environment by integrating environmental considerations into the concept phase of large-scale developments.
1. Permit application & consultation
Following the submission of a planning permit application to the PA, ERA are consulted as statutory consultees. They provide feedback to the client on whether a PDS needs to be submitted.
2. Project Description Statement (PDS)
AIS will prepare the PDS document which gives a description of the project and the environmental impacts on noise, air quality, ecology, etc.
3. Terms of Reference (ToRs)
ERA publishes ToRs which outline the details and technical studies required as part of the EIA. As the chosen EIA coordinator, AIS will consult with the client and ERA on these ToRs
4. A team of experts by your side
AIS will appoint qualified internal & external experts for each technical study and prepares the methodologies for each technical study, in consultation with ERA.
5. Providing any Technical studies
AIS will coordinate and perform the various technical studies to ensure they’re completed in a holistic and timely fashion.
6. Compiling the EIA Report
AIS will compile the results of the technical studies into the EIA Report, which will be submitted to ERA on the client’s behalf
7. Providing any consultations
AIS will coordinate consultations with ERA, stakeholders and the public, handling any environmental questions on behalf of the client
8. Present for any ERA & PA Board Hearings
AIS will present the findings of the EIA Report to the ERA board and PA board who take a decision on whether to issue the permit
