From Wreck Cove to Voisey's Bay: the evolution of federal environmental assessment in Canada

Canadian environmental assessment has evolved significantly from the embarrassing Wreck Cove hydroelectric project experience in the mid-1970s to the more exemplary case of the Voisey's Bay Mine and Mill project, approved in 2002. Over this period, policy and law reforms have slowly made federal assessment requirements more demanding, open and mandatory. Viewed from a sustainability perspective, this evolution has been generally positive, but insufficient. While further improvements are possible and desirable, the experience of process reform in Canada so far suggests that they will be resisted and gradual.     

Evaluation of the effectiveness and quality of environmental impact assessment in the Federal Republic of Germany

This study uses empirical research of 145 projects on environmental impact assessment (EIA). The researchers generated and tested hypotheses based on questions about the effectiveness and quality of EIA. By means of EIA, aspects of proactive thinking have entered into procedural decisions more than previously presumed and modifications in the spatial dimensions of projects have played an especially prominent role. The three most important factors affecting the scale of general project modifications are: the degree to which the subject matter and methodological aspects of a study are prescribed by §5 of the EIA Act (Scoping); the early, intense involvement of authorities, experts, and third parties in the scoping; and the degree to which the project's effects and impacts are analyzed and forecast in the environmental impact study (EIS). EIA and EIS practice has moved beyond the ‘experimental phase’ and routines have now emerged for certain parts of the procedure.     

Towards a national strategic environmental assessment system in Lebanon

In an effort to mainstream environmental sustainability in the national development agenda, the Government of Lebanon is among the pioneers in the Middle East to launch the development of a national strategic environmental assessment (SEA) system that caters to the particularities of the Lebanese planning, regulatory and institutional context. This paper provides a critical overview of the approach followed by the Ministry of Environment for the development of an SEA system and its regulation. It also makes recommendations for facilitating SEA implementation and presents some of the early outcomes resultingfrom awareness raising during consultation on the development of the proposed system     

Pipeline risk assessment and risk acceptance criteria in the State of Sao Paulo,Brazil

This paper reviews the current framework for, and practical application of, environmental impact assessment (EIA) in Malaysia and assesses the progress made towards adoption of strategic environmental assessment (SEA). EIA legislation was first introduced in 1987 and much progress has been made in enforcing compliance with the requirements. More recent moves towards devolution of EIA control to the states are an indicator of the influence that EIA is making, although there are still many practical constraints to be overcome. Even more recently, Malaysia has used SEA for area-wide schemes: the potential for this take up is evaluated. Despite many problems, the EIA process continues to function and evidence of an emerging commitment to SEA bodes well for the future.     

Environmental assessment in Singapore: an enigma wrapped up in a mystery!

This paper reviews the status of the environmental assessment (EA) system in Singapore and attempts to evaluate the potential for adoption of strategic environmental assessment (SEA). In Singapore, the colonial legacy of the planning system has resulted in similar processes being adopted to the British planning system and similar resistance to that previously experienced in the UK towards EA. This research indicates that the benefits of EA are not being achieved and that the demise of the natural environment in Singapore is being severely affected as a result. The terminology of SEA is not recognised, although it is claimed that environmental considerations are included in the sophisticated concept planning system that follows a ten-year cycle. Evidence collected suggests that other considerations perceived to be more important relating to economic, technical and social issues far outweighany emphasis on the environment.     

A basic need for integration – bringing focus to the scoping process

In response to the lead article in this edition, we have the following observations made mostly on our professional practice. First, good scoping is essential for effective impact assessment (IA) but is rarely done well. Second, interdisciplinary teams are also essential for effective IA and are often used. Third, the use of sustainability as a tool for doing IA is intellectually attractive but may conflict with IA legislation and so should be used only with care.     

Practitioner perspectives on what influences EIA quality

Sustainable development is a commonly quoted goal for decision making and supports a large number of other discourses. Sustainability appraisal has a stated goal of supporting decision making for sustainable development. We suggest that the inherent flexibility of sustainability appraisal facilitates outcomes that often do not adhere to the three goals enshrined in most definitions of sustainable development: economic growth, environmental protection and enhancement, and the wellbeing of the human population. Current practice is for sustainable development to be disenfranchised through the interpretation of sustainability, whereby the best alternative is good enough even when unsustainable. Practitioners must carefully and transparently review the frameworks applied during sustainability appraisal to ensure that outcomes will meet the three goals, rather than focusing on a discourse that emphasises one or more goals at the expense of the other(s).     

社会可持续视域下城市公共设施的设计研究

目的国内城市化进程的加快,对城市公共设施的服务质量提出了更高的要求,然而公共设施存量不足与质量太差导致各城市的公共服务水平差强人意。文章以提升城市公共服务水平为基础,探索基于社会可持续发展需求的城市公共设施的创新设计原则。方法以用户为中心,从公共设施设计的社会可持续性内涵出发,提出从提升整体服务价值、保障服务的均等化及基于设施全生命周期等三个角度进行设计研究。结论为了提升公共设施的社会可持续性,以\"场\"为基础进行公共设施设计的前期研究,关注公共产品功能的普适性,进行基于闲置的共享平台的可行性探索与设计和提升设施的功能可拓展性,以提升城市公共服务水平为前提,进行城市公共设施设计的研究与实践。     

Sustainability assessment of Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers

Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs) are a central instrument in international development cooperation and of key importance in guiding donors' policies towards southern recipients. However, many aspects of the PRSP have been criticised by a variety of development stakeholders. A checklist of 85 questions has been developed to analyse the inclusion of aspects of sustainable development in PRSPs and to point to sustainability challenges and opportunities. It thus facilitates targeted advice and quality improvements. The checklist was applied to a selection of 12 PRSPs of developing countries. The results reveal an insufficient integration of the ecosystem services concept, of biodiversity and of climate issues. Property rights, gender issues, water and energy are as a rule well elaborated. PRSPs show significant variation in the integration of environmental sustainability issues. Sustainability assessments can contribute to significant improvements between first and second generation PRSPs provided the assessments are supported by a strong institutional framework and a dedicated political commitment towards sustainability.