How to enhance EIA systems in developing countries: a quantitative literature review

Kamijo, Tetsuya

doi:10.1007/s10668-021-02029-0

Cited by 7 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 79 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Furthermore, the literature on EIA suggests that the adequacy and accuracy of EIA reports contribute to the overall performance of EIA. However, EIA legislation is not the only driver for good quality EIA report preparation; the context in which the EIA system operates should also be considered (Kamijo, 2022; Nadeem & Hameed, 2006). From this perspective, it is important to incorporate the review of EIA reports into the evaluation approach.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This is in line with the defined term of effectiveness outlined by Sadler (1996, p. 37), “how well something works or whether it works as intended and meets the purpose for which it is designed.” Evaluation studies indicate that EIA systems generally perform well in developed countries, while often falling short in developing countries and countries in transition (e.g., Campion & Essel, 2013; Cherp, 2001; George & Lee, 2000; Kabir, 2012; Kakonge, 2006a; Kamijo, 2022; Khan et al, 2020; Kolhoff et al, 2013; Lesirma, 2016; Li, 2008; McCullough, 2017; Wood, 2003). Fundamentally, EIA was transferred from the context of western democratic developed countries to developing countries, which differ in socioeconomic, political, and cultural characteristics and capacities of EIA stakeholders (Annandale, 2001; Campion & Essel, 2013; George & Lee, 2000; Kakonge, 1999; Kamijo, 2022; Kolhoff et al, 2009; Li, 2008; Marara et al, 2011; McCullough, 2017; Tarr, 2003). Marara et al (2011) highlight that the country context of developing countries is a key influence on the implementation of the EIA system, and ultimately its performance.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In Africa, EIA was introduced through donor requirements for development projects and was then adopted by many developing African countries as an environmental policy instrument to promote sustainable development in response to international environmental conventions, laws, and the influence of donor agencies (Annandale, 2001;Campion & Essel, 2013;George & Lee, 2000;Kakonge, 1999;Kamijo, 2022;Li, 2008;Marara et al, 2011;McCullough, 2017;Tarr, 2003;UNEP, 2004). Since the introduction of EIA in Africa in the 1980s, EIA system performance has been challenged by various issues, which are similar in many African countries (e.g., Ahmad & Wood, 2002;Alberts, 2020;Ali, 2003;Appiah-Opoku, 2001;Benfadil, 2016;Campion & Essel, 2013;DEAT, 2008;El-Fadl & El-Fadel, 2004;Kahangirwe & Vanclay, 2022;Kakonge, 1996Kakonge, , 1998Kakonge, , 2006aKakonge, , 2006bKakonge & Imevbore, 1993;Marara et al, 2011;Nakwaya-Jacobus et al, 2021;Sandham et al, 2020;Sharma & Hategekimana, 2018;Wood, 1999aWood, , 2003.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Based on the understanding of the purpose of an EIA system, EIA system performance is generally seen in terms of its contribution to sustainable development and meeting its objectives of anticipating, avoiding, minimizing, and mitigating the significant effects of development on the environment (Bond et al, 2013; Glasson et al, 2012; Kolhoff et al, 2009, 2013, 2016; Morgan, 2012; UN Environment, 2018). This is in line with the defined term of effectiveness outlined by Sadler (1996, p. 37), “how well something works or whether it works as intended and meets the purpose for which it is designed.” Evaluation studies indicate that EIA systems generally perform well in developed countries, while often falling short in developing countries and countries in transition (e.g., Campion & Essel, 2013; Cherp, 2001; George & Lee, 2000; Kabir, 2012; Kakonge, 2006a; Kamijo, 2022; Khan et al, 2020; Kolhoff et al, 2013; Lesirma, 2016; Li, 2008; McCullough, 2017; Wood, 2003). Fundamentally, EIA was transferred from the context of western democratic developed countries to developing countries, which differ in socioeconomic, political, and cultural characteristics and capacities of EIA stakeholders (Annandale, 2001; Campion & Essel, 2013; George & Lee, 2000; Kakonge, 1999; Kamijo, 2022; Kolhoff et al, 2009; Li, 2008; Marara et al, 2011; McCullough, 2017; Tarr, 2003).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Developing an evaluation approach to consider the influence of country context on environmental impact assessment performance, from a southern African perspective

Aljareo

Watson

Schwaibold

2023

Integr Envir Assess & Manag

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Environmental impact assessment (EIA) as an environmental policy has been adopted in some countries. However, in terms of achieving its stated objectives in the developing country context, EIA system performance often falls short compared with the developed country context. Evaluation of EIA system performance has gained considerable attention with the aim of ensuring the achievement of its purpose, most recognizably the promotion of sustainable development through informed decision‐making. Different evaluation approaches have been developed and applied to explore areas of inadequacy in the EIA system components, EIA implementation, and EIA report. Researchers have considered the context of the EIA system as the underlying cause of its limited performance in developing countries. However, the literature has not rigorously explored the relationship between EIA system performance and country context, and it is the subject of ongoing debate. Our aim in this article is to contribute to the practical analysis of the influence of country context on EIA system performance. Drawing on the conceptual frameworks and evaluation methods in the literature, we propose an evaluation approach to the EIA system performance that combines the importance of considering the country context in the evaluation process. It consists of EIA system components, EIA report, and an indicative set of country context indicators. The developed evaluation approach was validated by applying it to four case studies from southern Africa. The South African case study results are presented here. The outcome is a practical evaluation approach that promotes understanding of the relationship between EIA system performance and country context and can improve EIA system performance. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2023;00:1–15. © 2023 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).

show abstract

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Developing an evaluation approach to consider the influence of country context on environmental impact assessment performance, from a southern African perspective

Aljareo

Watson

Schwaibold

2023

Integr Envir Assess & Manag

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Because the implications of anthropogenic actions on environmental transformation have been recognized, more than 190 countries around the world have implemented EIA systems [2] [3]. EIA evaluates the environmental impacts of projects, plans, and programs in a comprehensive and organized manner, thereby improving the information base for decision-making in national planning and sustainable development [4].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Environmental Impact Assessment System and Process in Developing Countries

Bhatt

2023

OJE

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Environmental impact assessment (EIA), a decision-making process for project appraisal and sustainability adopted globally as an administrative process to identify, predict, evaluate, and monitor projects from their feasibility, preconstruction, construction, and operation stages to mitigate the adverse impacts and enhance the beneficial impacts for the protection of the affected environment, The study objective is to explore global EIA systems and processes and find shortcomings and implications for making the best instrument or tool to protect the natural environment from man-made activities over the project cycle. For this, the relevant literature on the EIA system and process was reviewed and evaluated through the application of quantitative and qualitative approaches, including the assessment of legal instruments and the adoption of EIA methodologies in developing countries. EIA, initiated in the 1970s in the US and Australia, expanded to developing countries and was amended in East and Southeast Asia from the 1970s to the 2000s. The evaluation assessed that the South Asian countries follow UNEP and IAIA guidelines, utilizing national laws and expert consultations, with screening criteria and administrative processes based on established environmental legislation. Ad hoc, checklist, matrix, network, overlay, cost-benefit analysis, and predictive or simulation in EIA practice are used to assess the environmental impacts of development activities. Failure to recommend major projects undermines public trust and prevents mitigation measures from being implemented. Most developing countries have followed EIA to fulfill the legal requirement with shadow-off monitoring and follow-up rather than to upset, reduce, or compensate for the project impacts as per size, location, and severity of the project area. The research and guidelines outlined in the IAIA principles and process have synthesized the best EIA practices worldwide. Public participation, impact coverage, scientific mitigation, transparent evidence-based approaches, monitoring, follow-up, legitimate approaches, and future appraisal opportunities are major concerns to be included in best EIA practice.

show abstract

From procedural to transformative: A review of the evolution of effectiveness in EIA

Caro-Gonzalez

Niţă

Toro

et al. 2023

Environmental Impact Assessment Review

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

How to enhance EIA systems in developing countries: a quantitative literature review

Cited by 7 publications

References 79 publications

Developing an evaluation approach to consider the influence of country context on environmental impact assessment performance, from a southern African perspective

Developing an evaluation approach to consider the influence of country context on environmental impact assessment performance, from a southern African perspective

Environmental Impact Assessment System and Process in Developing Countries

From procedural to transformative: A review of the evolution of effectiveness in EIA

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About