Routledge Handbook of Environmental Impact Assessment

The environmental impact assessment (EIA) is a powerful tool for environmental management that provides a foundation for understanding the practice and best practices. This handbook offers an overview of EIA as an essential tool for environmental protection, planning, and policy, with a research and practice-based approach. It covers different types of assessment methods and cross-cutting issues, including cumulative effects assessment, social impact assessment, Indigenous-led assessment, risk assessment, climate change, and gender-based assessment. The book also provides jurisdictional reviews of the European Union, the US National Environmental Policy Act, recent assessment reforms in Canada, EIA in developing economies, and the EIA context in England.

Format: Hardback
Length: 368 pages
Publication date: 11 April 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Environmental impact assessment (EIA) is a widely recognized and influential environmental management tool that has played a significant role in shaping global environmental policies and practices. This comprehensive handbook aims to provide readers with a solid foundation for understanding the principles and practices of EIA. It offers a comprehensive overview of the different types of assessments, including strategic, scoping, and screening assessments, as well as detailed guidance on best practices.

The book adopts a research and practice-based approach, providing a comprehensive understanding of EIA as an essential tool for environmental protection, planning, and policy. It brings together prominent researchers, practitioners, and young scholars from various parts of the world to explore the most pertinent issues and challenges surrounding EIA.

The first part of the handbook introduces EIA processes and best practices through analytical and critical chapters on the stages/elements of the EIA process and different components and forms of assessment. These chapters provide examples that cover a wide range of assessment methods and cross-cutting issues, such as cumulative effects assessment, social impact assessment, Indigenous-led assessment, risk assessment, climate change, and gender-based assessment.

The second part of the handbook provides jurisdictional reviews of EIA in different regions, including the European Union, the United States, Canada, developing economies, and England. These reviews offer insights into the specific legal frameworks, regulations, and practices that govern EIA in each jurisdiction, highlighting the key differences and similarities in approach.

By providing a concise outline of the EIA process followed by in-depth illustrations of approaches, methods, and tools, as well as case studies, this book will be an invaluable resource for students, scholars, and practitioners of environmental impact assessment. It will help them develop a deeper understanding of the complexities and challenges associated with EIA, enabling them to make informed decisions and contribute to sustainable development.

Dimension: 246 x 174 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367244477