Environmental Process
Issue #40: Environmental Process
Integrating Environmental Assessment into Project Development Studies
Project development decisions for mining and large infrastructure projects are generally based on feasibility studies. These studies usually take into account an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) which are driven by international best practice and host country legislation but which, like feasibility studies, may need to meet corporate standards and/or lender requirements. read full article…
Challenges of Merging International and Local Requirements in Russia
One of the challenges for Russian environmental specialists is combining the international and Russian requirements for environmental and social impact assessment. Although current Russian laws contain no strict requirement to develop an impact assessment, known as OVOS, it continues to be an integral part of the permitting process. read full article…
ESIAs for Marine Works
Even in the face of potential global recession, the demand for natural resources driven largely by China and India, continues unabated. Demand for raw materials such as iron ore and coal remains buoyant and, in response, mining companies throughout the world have ramped up production. One of the potential bottlenecks in the supply chain is capacity at export ports and terminals, and South Africa is no exception in facing this problem. Environmental approvals are required before port expansions can proceed and, given the sensitive nature of port environments, obtaining such approvals can be a protracted process. read full article…
Process for Implementing Environmental Management Systems in Chile
The magnitude of change in environmental awareness in Chile from the 1990s through the 2000s has been extraordinary. Historically, Chile has grown from a mining country with little consideration for environmental concerns, to a nation where public participation in the environmental process of a mining project can make or break its approval. read full article…
SRK on the Leading Edge of Biodiversity
SRK is assisting its clients locally and globally with biodiversity evaluations by addressing the impacts of projects on the environment and providing solutions for the issues facing clients. Biodiversity refers to the varying levels of living organisms, their interrelationships and their effects upon ecological systems. Simply put, biodiversity is comparable to the threads of a garment, each unique and sometimes fragile, which when interwoven form a diverse, interrelated fabric that has strength, sustainability and a high level of usefulness. Preserving biodiversity is keeping the threads and fabric of life intact. Conservation is a cooperative method of managing biodiversity for the benefit of humans; it uses the fabric while preserving its integrity. read full article…
Case Study from the Land Use Planning Sector, in Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa
When development policies, plans, programs and other strategic actions are implemented, varied economic, social and environmental effects result, some of which are unforeseen. In order to identify, assess and address undesirable negative impacts and maximise positive impacts before such initiatives are carried out, it is useful to undertake Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEAs) to inform and guide decision-making. read full article…
Application of GIS in the EIA Process
The application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process has gained substantial momentum over the past few years. Even so, the misconception exists that GIS involves mapping only, and many companies are still unaware of the robust solutions and cost savings this tool has to offer, when correctly implemented. read full article…
ESIA and Risk Assessment
Defining the significance of potential impacts in an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) is compromised by a poor understanding of what is likely to happen. The likelihood that an impact will be realised is not absolute; many factors ranging from inherent design features to operational management actions can alter the probability of negative impacts being realised. Being aware of the variable likelihood of potential impacts creates a significant opportunity for mines to save money and operate more efficiently. read full article…
Assessing GHGs and Global Climate Change in EIAs
The issue of global climate change remains a highly contentious subject for both layman and world leaders alike. However, regardless of your social, political or scientific position on the root causes, many governments have identified global warming a major threat to the planet in the 21st Century. read full article…
Environmental and Safety Management Systems
Over the past decade, Environmental and Safety Management Systems (EMS/SMS) have increasingly been employed to track and enhance performance within a wide range of both private and public sector institutions. These organisations include small, medium and large companies involved in renewable and non-renewable resources. Organisations increasingly want to improve their corporate responsibility performance and return greater value to shareholders. SRK has been developing effective EMS systems which serve as a tool to improve environmental performance by providing a systematic way of managing an organisation’s environmental affairs, such as planning, permitting, implementing, monitoring, reviewing, and reporting enhanced processes. read full article…
Influencing Sustainable Development Policy and Strategy in South Africa
Environmental issues and others that influence the sustainability of development and progress in emerging markets are often perceived as peripheral. As is the case in South Africa, a lack of awareness and understanding about the interdependence of society, the economy and the environment is striking. Environmental and social practitioners, therefore, often question whether their work is of value and has real impact. read full article…
Suriname River Dredging Project
The Maritime Authority Suriname (MAS) and the project financing consortium (BMS, Suralco, Staatsoile) commissioned SRK Consulting (UK) Ltd to conduct an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for dredging the Suriname River in South America. The project area covered a 90km stretch of the lower section of the Suriname River estuary that acts as a major transport link for connecting the industrial centres of Paranam and Paramaribo with the Atlantic Ocean. The capital, Paramaribo is home to approximately 50% of Suriname’s population. read full article…
Key International Initiatives Influencing Approaches to ESIA
By means of the 1991 Rio Declaration, ESIA has become established as key for environmental decision making throughout the world. Since that time, there have been remarkable developments in ESIA and there are more still to come, particularly with respect to the social equity dimension of sustainable development. In the 1990s the main developments were refinements of ESIA procedures and linking ESIAs to management systems. The technical content of ESIAs was also improved. read full article…
Promoting Compliance in Non-Compliant Markets – A Chinese Perspective
The Chinese National environmental regulatory system is administered across the following five levels of government, each of which has specific roles and responsibilities: National, Provincial, City/Prefecture, County/District, Town/Village. There is significant involvement in and delegation of environmental regulatory responsibilities between the Provincial Government level and the other three lower levels of Government. read full article…
Corporate Sustainability in a Carbon-Constrained Economy
The strategies of successful corporations are increasingly being shaped by environmental and social issues. Climate change is a multi-faceted issue and the inclusion of climate change imperatives into full cost accounting and corporate sustainability is rapidly gaining momentum in a world where a shift towards a low-carbon economy is already taking place. Media pressure is high and there is intense political debate in the buildup towards the UN Climate Change Conference, to be held in Copenhagen in December 2009, where the successor to the Kyoto Protocol is likely to be determined. read full article…
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