The purpose of screening

1. The purpose of screening The purpose of screening is to determine: • whether or not a proposal requires an EIA • what level of EIA is required UNEP Training Resource Manual

2. Outcomes of screening • full or comprehensive EIA required • more limited EIA required • further study needed to determine EIA requirement • no further requirement for EIA UNEP Training Resource Manual

3. Screening and scoping compared Screening • determines the requirement for EIA • establishes the level of review necessary Scoping • identifies the key issues and impacts • establishes the terms of reference UNEP Training Resource Manual

4. Screening methods • legal/policy definition • inclusion list of projects (with or without thresholds) • exclusion list of projects • criteria for case-by-case screening UNEP Training Resource Manual

5. M a nd a to r y E I A ‘I n clu s ive’ t h r es h ol d E IA mor e l i kely to be r e qu i re d ; sc re e n bo r der li n e pro p o s a ls fo r si gn i f ic a n t en vi r o nme n ta l eff ec t s C ase by c ase c o nsi d e r ati o n o f ‘I n dic a tive ’ th r es h ol d r eq u ire m e n t f o r E I A E IA l ess l i kely to be req u i r ed but s t i l l scr een for si g n i f i ca n c e w he r e the l oc at i on is s e nsi t iv e o r i f the r e is a p o tent i a l f o r c u m u E I A r u le d o u t A framework for screening Increasing impact of development l at iv e ef f e c t s ‘ Excl u siv e ’ thr es ho l d UNEP Training Resource Manual Topic 4 Slide 5

6. Extended screening methods • initial environmental evaluation or examination (IEE) • environmental overview • class screening UNEP Training Resource Manual

7. Typical proposals requiring a full EIA • dams and reservoirs • (re)settlement and urban development • infrastructure (e.g. transport and sanitation) • industrial facilities (e.g. manufacturing plants) • energy and minerals extraction (e.g. oil & gas, coal) • waste management and disposal of hazardous and toxic materials • energy development (power stations, transmission lines, pipelines) UNEP Training Resource Manual

8. Location and environmental criteria for case-by-case screening The following are important in determining significant effects: • assimilative capacity of the natural environment • environmental sensitivity, e.g. wetlands, coastal and mountain zones • environmental standards and objectives • adjacent to protected or designated areas • within landscapes of special heritage value • existing land use(s) and commitments • abundance and quality of natural resources UNEP Training Resource Manual

9. Extended screening – information required by decision-makers • description of the proposal • conditions and characteristics of the environment • applicable policy, planning and regulatory objectives • identification of potential impacts • degree of public concern and interest UNEP Training Resource Manual

10. An Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) • describes the proposal • considers alternatives • addresses the concerns of the community • identifies potential environmental effects • establishes mitigation measures • includes monitoring and follow up (as necessary) UNEP Training Resource Manual

11. Generalised EIA Process Flowchart Proposal Identification Screening Initial No EIA EIA Required environmental examination *Public involvement Scoping Impact analysis *Public involvement typically occurs at these points. It may Mitigation also occur at any other stage and impact of the EIA Process. management EIA Report Review *Public involvement Resubmit Decision-making Redesign Information from this process contributes to effective future EIA Not approved Approved Implementation and follow up UNEP Training Resource Manual