2012 Environmental Protection and
Green Technology Workshop
Environmental Impact Assessment
Yuh-Ming Lee
Professor
Institute of Natural Resource Management
National Taipei University
November 11, 2012
Contents
 Introduction
 Environmental Assessments
 EIA, HRA, LCA
 Procedure of Environmental Impact Assessment
 Strategic Environmental Assessment
 Extended Materials on EIA
 Mekong River Commission Environmental Training
Kit: Course D - EIA Procedures and Decision Making
 Conclusion
 Q&A
2
Introduction
 Personal Information
 Affiliation: Professor, Institute of Natural
Resource Management, National Taipei Univ.
 Education: Ph.D., Department of Geography
and Environmental Engineering, the Johns
Hopkins University
 Experience: Commissioner, Environmental
Impact Assessment Review Committee, Taiwan
EPA
 Contact: yml@mail.ntpu.edu.tw
 Environmental Impact Assessment
“LOOK before you LEAP!”
3
Environmental Assessment
 Project: Effect on the Environment
 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
 Strategic Environmental Assessment => Strategy
 Product: Environmental Profile (Eco-Profile)
 Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
 Eco-Profile, Eco-Footprint (Carbon, Water) …
 Chemicals: Effect on Human Health
 Health Risk Assessment (HRA)
 Acute Toxicity vs. Carcinogen
A Priori and Scientific Evaluation
Public Participation and Information Disclosure
4
Life Cycle Assessment
 International Standard

 ISO 14040 and 14044 (Revision in 2006)
Definition: LCA is a technique to assess environmental
impacts associated with all the stages of a product's life
from-cradle-to-grave (i.e., from raw material extraction
through materials processing, manufacture, distribution,
use, and disposal or recycling).
 LCA can help avoid a narrow outlook on
environmental concerns by:
 Compiling an inventory of relevant energy and
material inputs and environmental releases;
 Evaluating the potential impacts associated with
identified inputs and releases;
 Interpreting the results to help you make a more
informed decision.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_cycle_assessment
5
LCA ISO Standards (1404x)
 ISO Standards (ICS 13.020.60: Product life-cycles)
 ISO 14040:2006 Environmental management
-- Life cycle assessment -- Principles and framework
 ISO 14044:2006 Environmental management
-- Life cycle assessment -- Requirements and guidelines
 ISO 14045:2012 Environmental management – Eco-efficiency
assessment -- Principles and requirements
 ISO/TR 14047:2012 Environmental management
-- Life cycle assessment -- Illustrative examples on how to apply
ISO 14044 to impact assessment situations
 ISO/TS 14048:2002 Environmental management
-- Life cycle assessment -- Data documentation format
 ISO/TR 14049:2012 Environmental management -- Life cycle
assessment -- Illustrative examples on how to apply ISO 14044
to goal and scope definition and inventory analysis
 ISO/CD 14046 Water footprint -- Requirements and guidelines
6
7
Category Indicators in LCIA
8
An Example of LCA: Diapers
Life-Cycle Analysis of Disposable and Reusable Diapers
(based on weekly diaper needs)
Resource Category
Raw Materials Consumption (lbs)
Disposable
Diaper
Reusable
Diaper
25.30
3.60
23,290.00
78,890.00
23.60
144.00
Atmospheric Emissions (lbs)
0.09
0.86
Waste Water Effluents (lbs)
0.01
0.12
Process Solid Waste (lbs)
2.02
3.13
Post-Consumer Waste (lbs)
22.18
0.24
Total Costs ($/week)
10.31
7.47-16.92
Energy Consumption (Btu)
Water Consumption (gal)
World Resources Institute, Disposable and Reusable Diapers . A Life-Cycle Analysis
http://pdf.wri.org/bell/case_1-56973-167-5_full_version_english.pdf
9
Health Risk Assessment
http://oehha.ca.gov/pdf/HRSguide2001.pdf
10
HRA and EIA
 Health Risk Assessment Technical Standards
 Announced by Taiwan EPA on April 9, 2010 (revised on
20 July, 2011)
 …developers … should follow the standards regarding
hazardous chemicals that may be in use during the
operation stage, and conduct an assessment on the
incremental risks to the health of residents living in the
sphere of influence of development activities.
 The EPA analyzed implementation methods and
content of other health risk assessments for
chemical substances that could potentially create
environmental pollution, as well as the framework,
procedures and strategies of other health risk
assessment systems.
11
HRA Procedure in an EIA
The Project Conducting EIA
Species
Toxicity
Source
Pathway
Release
Amount of Release
Multi-Media Transport Simulation
Air
Water
Food
Soil
Sediment
12
Exposure
Scenarios
Carcinogen
Receptors
Parameters
Acute Toxcin
HI > 1 (?)
13
What is EIA?
To “…encourage productive and enjoyable
harmony between man and his environment; to
promote efforts which will prevent or eliminate
damage to the environment and biosphere and
stimulate the health and welfare of man; to enrich
the understanding of the ecological systems and
natural resources important to the Nation....”
(U.S. National Environmental Policy Act Section 2)
(NEPA, enacted in 1969)
14
What is EIA
 Environmental impact assessment means an
environmental management plan based on
scientific, objective and comprehensive surveys,
forecasting, analyses and evaluations
conducted prior to project implementation in
order to determine the degree and scope of the
potential impact of development activity or
government policy on the environment,
economy, culture and ecology, and the public
explanation and review of such a plan.
(Taiwan Environmental Impact Assessment Act: Article 4, Paragraph 2)
(Enacted in the end of 1994)
Environmental Impact Assessment Act (Taiwan EPA)
15
What is the purpose of EIA
“To implement a strategy of sustainable
development, prevent adverse impact on the
environment after the implementation of plans
and construction projects, and promote
coordinated development of the economy, society,
and environment.”
(China Environmental Impact Assessment Law)
(Enact in 2003)
16
What is the purpose of EIA?
“LOOK before you LEAP!”
EIA is now a required process in more than 100
nations.
The International Association for Impact
Assessment (IAIA) is a global network with
1,600 members from more than 120 countries.
(http://www.iaia.org)
Smythe, R.B. (EIA: A way for NGOs to be Effective)
www.ifce.org/ifcecn/2005xm/4thefinal/Intro1.ppt
17
What Changes can EIA Bring?
Before introduction of EIA:
 Government planning and decision-making:
“D-A-D” -- “Decide, Announce, Defend”
 Role of NGOs, citizens:
“Critics” “Objectors” “Protestors”
 Environmental conditions:
Steadily deteriorating
Smythe, R.B. (EIA: A way for NGOs to be Effective)
www.ifce.org/ifcecn/2005xm/4thefinal/Intro1.ppt
18
What Changes can EIA Bring?
After Implementing EIA:
 Government planning and decision-making:
“D-D-D” -- “Discuss, Decide, Deliver”
 Role of NGOs, citizens:
“Stakeholders” “Contributors” “Participants”
 Environmental conditions:
Deterioration slows; some areas improving
Source: Hui, Y.M. (Simon), Environmental Protection Dept., HKSAR
Smythe, R.B. (EIA: A way for NGOs to be Effective)
www.ifce.org/ifcecn/2005xm/4thefinal/Intro1.ppt
19
Key Elements of EIA
1. EIA must be undertaken EARLY in the
development of proposed projects, plans, and
programs, and must be completed BEFORE a
decision to proceed is made.
2. EIA must be an OBJECTIVE, IMPARTIAL
analytical process, not a way of promoting or
“selling” a proposal to decision-makers—it
must use accepted scientific principles and
methods.
3. EIA must analyze all REASONABLY
FORESEEABLE environmental impacts or
effects of a proposed action— effects may be
short-term, long-term, direct, or indirect.
Smythe, R.B. (EIA: A way for NGOs to be Effective)
www.ifce.org/ifcecn/2005xm/4thefinal/Intro1.ppt
20
Key Elements of EIA
4. The process of EIA must be OPEN – to
government officials at all levels, to potential
stakeholders (those with direct interests in the
proposed action), and to the PUBLIC.
5. There must be an early, public SCOPING stage
in EIA to consider ALTERNATIVES and to help
focus subsequent analysis on the MORE
SIGNIFICANT potential impacts – rather than
studying all possible environmental effects – the
GOAL is to reach a decision.
6. Government officials responsible for
implementing EIA must ENCOURAGE (not just
tolerate) PUBLIC PARTICIPATION in the
process from the scoping stage forward.
Smythe, R.B. (EIA: A way for NGOs to be Effective)
www.ifce.org/ifcecn/2005xm/4thefinal/Intro1.ppt
21
Key Elements of EIA
7. In all EIA processes, effective MITIGATION
MEASURES must be identified and included
– to avoid, minimize, or reduce the adverse
effects of all potentially significant impacts.
8. EIA reports must include an
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
SYSTEM (EMS) or Action Plan to
MONITOR the implementation phase of the
project, plan, or program and provide for
CORRECTIVE actions – such action plans
must have assured FUNDING and be legally
enforceable.
Smythe, R.B. (EIA: A way for NGOs to be Effective)
www.ifce.org/ifcecn/2005xm/4thefinal/Intro1.ppt
22
Content of EIA Analysis
Physical
components:
Bio-Cultural
components:
 Land
 Nature
 Air
 Culture
 Water
 People
 Energy
 Access
Smythe, R.B. (EIA: A way for NGOs to be Effective)
www.ifce.org/ifcecn/2005xm/4thefinal/Intro1.ppt
23
EIA Impact Analysis Summary Table








PHASE:
Construction Operation Termination
Physical:
Land
Air
Water
Energy
_______________________________________________
Bio-Cultural:
Nature
Culture
People
Access
Smythe, R.B. (EIA: A way for NGOs to be Effective)
www.ifce.org/ifcecn/2005xm/4thefinal/Intro1.ppt
24
EIA Procedure
Major steps in the EIA process are:
 Screening
 Initial Environmental Examination (IEE)
 Scoping
 Full-Scale Assessment
 EIA Review and Decision Making
 Monitoring and Follow-Up
http://www.mrcmekong.org/envir_training_kit/English/Course D - EIA Procedures and Decision Making/
Operational/Slides/powerpoint/Lesson 02 - Overview.ppt
Mekong River Commission Environmental Training Kit
http://www.mrcmekong.org/envir_training_kit/PowerPoint_Index.htm
25
Generic EIA Procedure
Initial Environmental
Examination (IEE)
Screening
IEE
Review
Scoping/
Terms of
Reference
EIA
Required
EIA Not
Required
Full-Scale
EIA
EIA
Approved
EIA
Review
Decision
Making
Monitoring
EIA Audit and
Evaluation
EIA Not
Approved
Evaluate
Options
Mekong River Commission Environmental Training Kit
http://www.mrcmekong.org/envir_training_kit/PowerPoint_Index.htm
26
Hong Kong EIA Process
http://www.epd.gov.hk/eia/english/content/chart.html
27
Taiwan EIA Process
 EIA Act Article 4: Environmental impact
assessment work includes such procedures as phase
I and phase II environmental impact assessments,
reviews and follow-up evaluations
 Two Phases
 Environmental Impact Statement
 Environmental Impact Assessment Report
 Concern of significant impacts on the environment
 Three Roles: Developer and Authorities
 Developer and Consulting Firm: Preparation of EIS
 Industry Competent Authority: Approval of Project
 Environment Competent Authority: Review of EIA
28
Significant Impact on the Environment
1. Those circumstances in which the development
activity has a significant adverse conflict with and is
incompatible with a nearby related plan
2. Those circumstances in which the development
activity has a significant adverse impact on
environmental resources and special environmental
characteristics
3. Those circumstances in which the development
activity has a significant adverse impact on the
habitat or survival of protected or rare animals or
plants
4. Those circumstances in which the development
activity causes local environmental conditions to
exceed environmental standards or the carrying
capacity of the local environment
29
Significant Impact on the Environment
5. Those circumstances in which the development
activity has a significant adverse impact on the
movement or rights of local residents or the
traditional ways of living of minority ethnic groups
6. Those circumstances in which the development
activity has a significant adverse impact on public
health or safety
7. Those circumstances in which the development
activity has a significant adverse impact on the
environment of another country
8. Other situations as recognized by the competent
authority
30
Taiwan EIA Review Process
Forum or Conference
Submission of EIS
“Divert” the EIS
Pass
Reject
Reviewing
Concerns of significant impacts
Phase II
Industry Competent Authority
Alternative
or Option
EPA
Public Conference
http://www.epa.gov.tw/FileDownload/FileHandler.ashx?FLID=9443
Developer
31
Taiwan EIA Review Process
Detailed Scoping
EIAR Draft
Site Visit
Public Hearing
Divert EIAR
Reviewing
http://www.epa.gov.tw/FileDownload/FileHandler.ashx?FLID=9443
32
Strategic Environmental Assessment
 Strategic environmental assessment (SEA):
is a system of incorporating environmental
considerations into policies, plans, and programmes.
 Strategic environmental impact assessment
 Originated from regional development / land use
planning
 2003: Protocol on Strategic Environmental
Assessment.
 European SEA Directive 2001/42/EC
 Relationship with EIA: An SEA is conducted
before a corresponding EIA is undertaken
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strategic_environmental_assessment
33
Structure of SEA
 Screening: investigation of whether the plan or
programme falls under the SEA legislation
 Scoping: defining the boundaries of investigation,
assessment and assumptions required
 Documentation of the state of the environment:
effectively a baseline on which to base judgments
 Determination of the likely environmental impacts:
usually in terms of Direction of Change rather than
firm figures
 Informing and consulting the public
 Influencing Decision taking based on the assessment
 Monitoring of the effects of plans and programmes
after their implementation.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strategic_environmental_assessment
34
Policies should conduct SEA (Taiwan)










Industrial policies
Mining industry development policies
Water resources development policies
Land use policies
Energy policies
Livestock policies
Transportation policies
Waste disposal policies
Policies on radioactive nuclear waste storage
Other policies
Regulations Governing Government Policies on Environmental Impact Assessment (Taiwan EPA)
35
Specific Policy Items Requiring SEA
Policy Name
1. Industrial policies
Policy Item
The establishment of an industrial zone.
Industrial policies on energy density base
2. Mining industry
development policies
Sand and gravel development and supply.
3. Water resources
development policies
Water resources development plan for the Taiwan
area.
The establishment of a golf course.
Major transformations for non-agricultural purposes
of agricultural or conservation land.
4. Land use policies
Changes in scope of tap water quality and water
volume protection area.
Changes in scope of drinking water quality and water
volume protection area
Newly determined or expanded urban planning
programs (using land area of 10 hectares or more)
Specific Policy Items Requiring the Conduct of an Environmental Impact Assessment (Taiwan EPA)
36
Specific Policy Items Requiring SEA
Policy Name
Policy Item
5. Energy policies
Energy quotas.
6. Livestock policies
Pig farming.
7. Transportation
policies
Major highway or railway construction.
8. Waste disposal
policies
Garbage disposal.
9. Policies on
radioactive nuclear
waste storage
The disposal of spent nuclear fuel from nuclear
power plants.
Specific Policy Items Requiring the Conduct of an Environmental Impact Assessment (Taiwan EPA)
37
Concern of impact on the environment
 The ability to handle environmental impact at the
local level is exceeded.
 There is damage to a natural ecological system.
 Public health or safety is endangered.
 The reasonable exploitation of natural resources is
jeopardized.
 Water resource systems are altered, affecting water
quality and hindering the use of water bodies.
 The harmony of the natural scenery is impaired.
 Other situations involving violations of
international environmental standards or which
impede the sustainable development of the
environment and ecology.
Regulations Governing Government Policies on Environmental Impact Assessment (Taiwan EPA)
38
Extended Materials
Mekong River Commission
Environmental Training Kit
Course D - EIA Procedures and Decision Making
 Introduction to Environmental Impact
Assessment PowerPoint *
 Overview of the Environmental Impact
Assessment Process PowerPoint **
 Social Assessment and Public Participation in
the EIA Process PowerPoint ***
 Environmental economics in the EIA Process
PowerPoint ****
http://202.62.105.250/envir_training_kit/PowerPoint_Index.htm
39
Conclusion







Environmental Assessment: EIA, HRA, LCA
EIA: A Priori and Scientific Assessment
EIA of Project and Strategy => SEA
EIA Phases and Types of Report/Statement
Stakeholders and Public Participation
Assessment Reporting and Reviewing
Decision Maker vs. Tools for Decision
Making
 Review Conclusion vs. Approval of Project
 Follow-up Evaluation (Monitoring)
40