PROFILE: Integrating Sustainability and Environmental Impact Assessment

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Environmental Management
• Policy Analysis

Background:

• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a key tool for sustainability.
• Integrating sustainability into EIA requires addressing theoretical and practical challenges.
• Sustainability offers EIA a clearer direction, ethical basis, and better priority setting.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the integration of sustainability into EIA theory and practice.
• To present frameworks for conceptual and regulatory integration of sustainability and EIA.
• To identify practical means for incorporating sustainability into the EIA process.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual framework development for sustainability and EIA integration.
• Analysis of Canadian EIA requirements for sustainability initiatives.
• Identification of practical integration points within the EIA planning process.

Main Results:

• Conceptual and regulatory frameworks for integrating sustainability into EIA are presented.
• Canadian EIA examples show promising sustainability initiatives.
• Practical strategies for incorporating sustainability across EIA activities are identified.

Conclusions:

• Explicit incorporation of sustainability into EIA legislation, guidelines, and institutions is recommended.
• Refined frameworks, context adaptation, and linkage to other initiatives are necessary.
• An experimental approach to testing and sharing experiences is crucial for advancing sustainable EIA practices.