Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is an instrument that is used to safeguard that the impacts of a proposed development on the environment and society are considered in decision making. EIA was first implemented in the United States in 1969 and incorporated in the Dutch legislation in 1986. In the years since, it has become perhaps the most powerful tool for ensuring that the environment and people are considered in decision making associated with a proposed development. With rapidly accelerating population growth and infrastructural development globally, the importance of EIA is greater than ever!

This course is a must for those who want to work in consultancies, since EIA and SEA are the most important and frequently applied environmental instruments. The course can also be a foundation for policy-makers, but in any case it is worthwhile for every environmental specialist. Both, students of natural sciences and social sciences may follow the course.
 
After an Introduction we will focus on the differences between EIA and SEA. International developments will be considered and we will try to give you an idea how the instrument is made operational in the European Union as well as in various other countries, including developing countries. Next, we will go deeper in impact-prediction methods, how are these methods used, and the possibilities and limitation to predicting impacts on the environment. Environmental aspects are divided into the following themes: water, soil, biodiversity, climate, human communities and cultural heritage. Possibilities for mitigation and compensation of project impacts are emphasized. Finally, quality and added value of EIA and SEA are critically discussed. Aspects as context, communication, influence on the decision making, quality criteria, etc will be considered.

Academic skills: EIA and SEA process and critical thinking; presentation and assessment of EI