SA assesses effectiveness of EIA
There is criticism and perceptions of inadequacy about the success of the current EIA system as a tool for environmental impact management.
A STUDY that reviewed the efficiency and effectiveness of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) as a tool for environmental management in South Africa will be presented at a conference that will be held in Durban next month.
“The outcomes of the study will highlight the successes and shortcomings of the tool and identify measures for improvement. This will be followed by a process to formulate a national environmental impact management strategy and action plan for South Africa,” the Department of Environmental Affairs said in a statement on Thursday.
South Africa, an affiliate of the International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA) will host the 38th session of the IAIA conference at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban from the 16th to 19th May 2018.
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“Despite the strides made towards an improved efficient and effective EIA system, there are criticism and perceptions of inadequacy about the success of the current EIA system as a tool for environmental impact management. This prompted the department to launch a study to review the efficiency and effectiveness of EIA’s as a tool for environmental management in South Africa,” the department said.
The results of the study will be presented and discussed at this conference. The outcomes of the study will highlight the successes and shortcomings of the tool and identify measures for improvement.
This will be followed by a process to formulate a national environmental impact management strategy and action plan for South Africa.
