The EIA Process
An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a systematic evaluation of a proposed project's potential environmental effects before a decision is made to proceed. Required in over 100 countries, the process typically follows these stages: screening (determining if an EIA is required), scoping (identifying which environmental issues to analyze), baseline studies (documenting existing conditions), impact prediction (forecasting effects on air, water, soil, biodiversity, noise, traffic, socioeconomics), mitigation planning (proposing measures to avoid or reduce impacts), public participation (soliciting community input), review (independent evaluation), and decision/monitoring (approval with conditions and post-construction verification). The EIA ensures that decision-makers consider environmental consequences alongside economic and technical factors.