Showing papers in "Journal of Environmental Assessment Policy and Management in 2016"
TL;DR: There are a number of ex-post (or post-opening) project evaluation schemes used by national transportation authorities in, among others, England, Scotland, France, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Norway and the US as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: There are a number of ex-post (or post-opening) project evaluation schemes used by national transportation authorities in, among others, England, Scotland, France, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Norway and the US. Additionally, many of the multilateral and bilateral lending institutions, such as the World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Inter-American Development Bank and the Asian Development Bank conduct ex-post project reviews of transport projects in the rail and road sectors. This paper presents a literature review of the various ex-post evaluation schemes in order to establish a state-of-the-art in ex-post road and rail project evaluation, develops an analytic typology of ex-post evaluation schemes and finally presents an in-depth case study of two ex-post evaluation schemes in Norway and England in order to provide a more detailed analysis of the process, structure and policy learning potential within ex-post project evaluation. In comparison to the extensive focus on ex-ante project appraisal, ex-post evaluations have received significantly less attention from academics and practitioners alike. The main findings are as follows: (1) Despite the widespread use globally of ex-post evaluation schemes in the transport sector, there remain significant differences in quality, coverage and comprehensiveness of the schemes. There is a striking lack of standardised methods of conducting ex-post evaluations at the national level, inhibiting the comparability and learning potential; (2) Even with legal mandates and decades of practice, data archiving and retrieval is a widespread problem for national transport planning agencies and (3) How to handle the counter-factual option (i.e. do-nothing/do-minimum/null option) is still very much an open question, which has significant impacts upon the forecasted and outturn benefit/cost ratios and environmental/social impacts.
24 citations
TL;DR: An overall minor positive change in follow-up practices in the UK is identified and three main barriers for improved follow- up are established: lack of appropriate legislation, implementation costs, and lack of enforcement.
Abstract: EIA is globally recognised and implemented as a decision making support instrument in project planning. Whilst it should be involved in both, pre-development consent deliberations as well as in subsequent phases, including post construction, in practice, follow-up is often deficient. In this paper, a review of how follow-up is dealt with in UK environmental statement non-technical summaries is presented. Furthermore, opinions of UK EIA practitioners with regards to current practices and barriers and possible implications of the new EC EIA Directive from 2014 are discussed. Comparing results with earlier publications, an overall minor positive change in follow-up practices in the UK is identified and three main barriers for improved follow-up are established: (1) lack of appropriate legislation, (2) implementation costs, and (3) lack of enforcement. The latter may still be the number one reason for continued deficient practice, even when the new EIA Directive is implemented.
23 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors review the current state of published knowledge, both land-based and offshore, with a focus on wind energy-wildlife mitigation measures, and discuss at which project stage it is most effective (e.g. planning, construction, and operation).
Abstract: During this rapid development of wind energy aiming to combat climate change worldwide, there is greater need to avoid, reduce, and compensate for impacts on wildlife: Through the effective use of mitigation, wind energy can continue to expand while reducing impacts. This is a first broad step into discussing and understanding mitigation strategies collectively, identifying the current state of knowledge and be a beneficial resource for practitioners and conservationists. We review the current state of published knowledge, both land-based and offshore, with a focus on wind energy–wildlife mitigation measures. We state measures and highlight their objective and discuss at which project stage it is most effective (e.g. planning, construction, and operation). Thereafter, we discuss key findings within current wind energy mitigation research, needing improved understanding into the efficacy of wildlife mitigation as well as research into the cost aspects of mitigation implementation. This paper is divided into two articles; Part 1 focuses on mitigation measures during planning, siting, and construction, while Part 2 focuses on measures during operation and decommissioning.
20 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the current state of published knowledge, both land-based and offshore, with a focus on wind energy-wildlife mitigation measures, is reviewed, focusing on mitigation measures during planning, siting, and construction, while Part 2 focuses on measures during operation and decommissioning.
Abstract: During this rapid development of wind energy aiming to combat climate change worldwide, there is greater need to avoid, reduce, and compensate for impacts on wildlife: Through the effective use of mitigation, wind energy can continue to expand while reducing impacts. This is a first broad step into discussing and understanding mitigation strategies collectively, identifying the current state of knowledge and be a beneficial resource for practitioners and conservationists. We review the current state of published knowledge, both land-based and offshore, with a focus on wind energy–wildlife mitigation measures. We state measures and highlight their objective and discuss at which project stage it is most effective (e.g. planning, construction, operation). Thereafter, we discuss key findings within current wind energy mitigation research, needing improved understanding into the efficacy of wildlife mitigation as well as research into the cost aspects of mitigation implementation. This review is divided into two articles; Part 1 focuses on mitigation measures during planning, siting, and construction, while Part 2 focuses on measures during operation and decommissioning.
19 citations
13 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the strengths and weaknesses of the Chinese environmental impact assessment (EIA) system are analyzed by reporting on the practical issues and lessons learned during regional workshops with EIA professionals in China.
Abstract: Public participation is an integral part of the Chinese environmental impact assessment (EIA) system. Successful public participation though is more than just granting a right to participate and setting out a procedure in a legislative act. This paper analyses the strengths and weaknesses of the Chinese EIA system by reporting on the practical issues and lessons learned during regional workshops with EIA professionals in China. It offers an overview of principles, legal instruments, mechanisms and guidelines, and analyses the Chinese practices at the provincial and local level. Recommendations to improve public participation in China are based on a gap analysis, best practices and lessons learned, interviews with key stakeholders, inputs from public authorities, EIA agencies, and civil society organisations, collected in training modules and public events held in Yunnan, Shandong and Beijing.
13 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the approval processes for small hydro in these states with a view to making recommendations for policy improvements, and found that residents of affected communities held similar views respecting the positive and negative impacts these projects might have, whether the impacts occurred or not.
Abstract: India is promoting the vast hydropower potential of the Himalayan region, and the northern states of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh are encouraging small, medium and major hydro projects. Our research examined the approval processes for small hydro in these states with a view to making recommendations for policy improvements. We describe local understandings of project impacts, review public participation in project approvals, and discuss extending the national environmental assessment law to small hydro. We used a retrospective case study of three hydro projects, semi-structured qualitative interviews, a review of policy and project-specific case documents, and field observations. We found that residents of affected communities held similar views respecting the positive and negative impacts these projects might have, whether the impacts occurred or not. We canvassed predicted impacts such as job creation, increased access to electricity, improved local infrastructure, loss of cultural assets, and removal of trees. Further, the case study revealed opportunities for earlier, more decentralized, and more active participation in small hydro approval processes. We conclude that the legal exemption for small hydro has left an important gap in India’s environmental assessment regime. Improved project-level assessments, catchment-based cumulative effects assessments, and better local involvement are needed for small hydro development.
13 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a review of studies aimed at establishing a VOLY as used in European air quality policies and examine the factors that cause the variations in VOLY estimates.
Abstract: Environmental cost–benefit analysis is increasingly used to support the formulation of European air quality policies. In these analyses, typically around three-quarters of the societal benefits of cleaner air are related to monetised increases in statistical life expectancy. However, the literature presents widely diverging estimates for the value of a statistical life year (a ‘VOLY’). This paper presents a review of studies aimed at establishing a VOLY as used in European air quality policies and it examines the factors that cause the variations in VOLY estimates. We discuss the implications of our findings for European air quality policies and also present a novel approach to analyse the VOLY. We have labelled our approach the ‘maximum societal revenue VOLY’ (MSR-VOLY), and postulate that this approach may be particularly useful in the context of natural capital accounting.
12 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors focused on a practice that has been widely noted in South Asia, i.e. employing extra-local methods to assess community resilience with no or minimal attempts on localising.
Abstract: This paper is focused on a practice that has been widely noted in South Asia, i.e. employing extra-local methods to assess community resilience with no or minimal attempts on localising. The objective of this paper is to assess the consistency/inconsistency and concordance/discordance of resilience levels computed by different extra-local assessment methods with reference to a Sri Lankan case. Community resilience levels were computed for 40 localities with three methods utilising secondary data. Statistical analysis revealed neither strong correlation (r≥0.574), (p<0.01) or strong reliability (ICC =0.481) among the computed resilience levels, indicating inconsistency and discordance. The findings explained how the randomly selected extra-local assessment methods could produce different values. Hence, can the resilience building decisions based on such assessment methods also be inconsistent? This study suggests decision makers should revisit the practice of employing non-localised extra-local assessment methods without addressing the context-specific resilience building needs profoundly.
12 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors assess the value of using strategic environmental assessment (SEA) to account for the spatially and temporally diverse and diffuse potential impacts of hydropower development in South Asia's Koshi basin.
Abstract: This paper assesses the value of using Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) to account for the spatially and temporally diverse and diffuse potential impacts of hydropower development in South Asia’s Koshi basin. A policy and practice review and key stakeholder interviews identified opportunities for SEA to improve existing planning procedures, and also barriers to effective adoption. Whilst stakeholders are interested in employing SEA to evaluate cumulative impacts, institutional blockages and an economic development imperative for power generation leave little space for consideration of alternative scenarios as part of SEA. The analysis is conducted through the formulation and application of a conceptual framework (CFW) for SEA best practice which is then used to identify priority next-steps for a more dynamic application of SEA in the region.
10 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined predictions from Canadian oil projects off Newfoundland and Labrador between 1985 and 2012 concerning seabirds, the valued ecosystem component identified as the most vulnerable to oil exploitation in an area frequented by millions of migratory birds.
Abstract: Environmental assessments (EAs) predict project environmental effects with varying degrees of certainty. Articulating prediction uncertainty and linking it to EA follow-up is a best practice for reducing uncertainty. This study examines predictions from Canadian oil projects off Newfoundland and Labrador between 1985 and 2012 concerning seabirds, the valued ecosystem component identified as the most vulnerable to oil exploitation in an area frequented by millions of migratory birds. We asked if these EA predictions: (a) reported uncertainty ratings; (b) for those reporting medium and high uncertainty ratings whether the predictions were addressed by EA follow-up; and (c) if prediction uncertainty was reduced by EA follow-up and reflected in subsequent EAs. Prediction uncertainty reporting was rare and uncertainties were not resolved through EA follow-up. Assumptions of negligible or low environmental effects on seabirds off Newfoundland and Labrador from offshore oil and gas extraction have been supported through decades by sustaining uncertainty.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors evaluate e-waste management practices in three Asian countries: Japan, Taiwan, and Malaysia, and consequently propose recommendations and insights for Malaysia on how to manage ewaste in a sustainable manner.
Abstract: The seriousness of e-waste problem is down to three realities: exponential increase in total amount, environmental degradation and health complications. A call for sustainable e-waste management is no longer a utopian ambition but an absolute necessity. In accordance to that, this study aims to evaluate e-waste management practices in three Asian countries: Japan, Taiwan, and Malaysia, and consequently propose recommendations and insights for Malaysia on how to manage e-waste in a sustainable manner. The comparative analysis is conducted based on three central aspects comprising governance, infrastructure, and stakeholders’ participation. The outcome of this study indicates that e-waste management needs to be initiated by comprehensive regulations that are focussed on proper e-waste handling and stakeholders’ accountability. Besides, it has to be accompanied by robust infrastructure where appropriate mechanisms and effective enforcement are taking place. Finally, active participation from relevant stakeholders through involvement, support and compliance is crucial. On the whole, developing a sustainable e-waste management system is not an easy endeavour; it requires sufficient effort, capital, and time while complemented with continuous improvement.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors studied two highway construction projects with an eight-year interval between them and found that the lessons learned by different actors involved in the first project led to stronger environmental management procedures incorporated in the latter.
Abstract: Effective delivery of mitigation remains a challenge in environmental impact assessment (EIA) practice. Actual environmental protection outcomes depend as much on an appropriate ex-ante assessment as on the capacity of project proponents of implementing preventative, corrective and compensatory programs, using environmental management tools to ensure demonstrable performance. The context question explored here is: How can the EIA follow-up phase take advantage of the features and resources of environmental management systems (EMS)? Evidence was obtained by studying two cases of highway construction affecting valued environments. The projects, intentionally selected, were built in the same area with an eight-year interval between them. Follow-up resulted in the identification of significant unforeseen geo-environmental impacts leading to the adoption of corrective action not required in the terms and conditions of approval. It was found that lessons learned by different actors involved in the first project led to stronger environmental management procedures incorporated in the latter.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors reflect on changing trends in SEA uptake and increasing momentum for its application in South Asia and identify growth sectors where SEA has a significant potential to synchronise conservation and sustainable development objectives.
Abstract: Striking a balance between the need to achieve socio-economic growth and to conserve and sustainably use natural resources has become a pressing requirement globally, especially in developing nations. Strategic environmental assessment (SEA) that recognises and integrates environmental, social and economic considerations into policies, plans and programmes is a recognised and effective planning tool in more than 90 countries across the globe. The paper reflects on changing trends in SEA uptake and increasing momentum for its application in South Asia. Evidence suggests that various drivers including voluntary practice and donor driven impact assessments are favouring the uptake of SEA as a robust and futuristic planning support tool for sustainable growth in multiple economic sectors. The paper draws on numerous examples of SEA and ‘SEA-like’ instruments applied in different sectors in South Asia and identifies growth sectors where SEA has a significant potential to synchronise conservation and sustainable development objectives.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examine the extent to which scholarly research has contributed to solutions for meaningful Aboriginal participation amidst demands for more efficient and shorter timelines for participation and decision-making.
Abstract: There has emerged in recent years an increased industry and regulatory demand for the streamlining of environmental assessment (EA), and at the same time, persistent expectations by Aboriginal communities for more effective and meaningful engagement in development decisions. This paper examines the extent to which scholarly research has contributed to solutions for meaningful Aboriginal participation amidst demands for more efficient and shorter timelines for participation and decision-making. Three research priorities are identified from our assessment of peer-reviewed EA scholarly research: the need for empirical-based research assessing the impacts of streamlining on participation and the impacts of meaningful Aboriginal participation on EA efficiencies; the need for better defined scope of issues that should be addressed inside the EA process versus those that are best addressed external to EA; and the need to develop and test alternative mechanisms for Aboriginal participation at the regional and strategic levels, and their contributions to regulatory-based EA decisions.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors evaluate the reporting and disclosure requirements of water of socially responsible investment-indexed (SRIindexed) JSE-listed companies and find that most of the companies illustrate commitment towards water stewardship by reporting on water-related aspects.
Abstract: South Africa is facing a water crisis in terms of the scarcity and the quality of its water. Considering this water-constrained future, it is evident that companies in South Africa should pay attention to the pristine management and reporting of this scarce resource. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the reporting and disclosure requirements of water of Socially Responsible Investment-indexed (SRI-indexed) JSE-listed companies. The disclosure requirements of integrated reporting, King III, the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) provided the theoretical background. Content analysis was used as the research method to analyse the integrated reports of high-impact users. The findings of the study include that most of the companies illustrate commitment towards water stewardship by reporting on water-related aspects. A more comprehensive standardised set of guidelines to report on water per sector could add value to the reporting practices of companies.
TL;DR: In this paper, an attempt to apply strategic environmental assessment (SEA) as a promising tool to identify environmental risks and deficiencies in the land use planning process in India has been made.
Abstract: Lack of comprehensive land use planning in India has posed significant challenges in achieving more optimal utilisation of land resources. This has also limited the opportunities for developing land use plans that adequately reflect the rationale and objectives of planning. This calls for developing a comprehensive and holistic approach to review the compatibility of actions associated with development plans involving multiple sectors with the ground realities. This paper is an attempt to apply strategic environmental assessment (SEA) as a promising tool to identify environmental risks and deficiencies in the land use planning process in India. The paper draws on the experience of applying SEA to Gurgaon-Manesar Development Plan for 2031 and elaborates on the merits and usefulness of adopting SEA in land use planning in the Indian context.
TL;DR: The Waskaganish Voluntary Anadromous Cisco Catch Registry as mentioned in this paper is a community-led ex post monitoring program carried out within the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Follow-up Phase of the Rupert River Diversion Hydroelectric Project.
Abstract: The Waskaganish Voluntary Anadromous Cisco Catch Registry is a community-led ex post monitoring programme carried out within the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Follow-up Phase of the Rupert River Diversion Hydroelectric Project. The Registry monitors an aboriginal subsistence fishery in the Cree community of Waskaganish. Due to the complexity of the socio-ecological system, predicting the project’s impacts on the fishery at the ex ante stage proved difficult. The programme has allowed the community to monitor changes in the cisco fishery, while also providing a forum for communication and collaboration with the proponent, Hydro-Quebec. The programme recognises and incorporates both local ecological knowledge and scientific results from site-specific biological monitoring studies. Overall, the Registry has enhanced stakeholder understanding of project impacts, improved mitigation management decision-making and led to the development of an effective consultation framework. Most importantly, the Registry has helped the fishery to continue into the future despite project impacts.
TL;DR: A special Journal of Environmental Assessment Policy and Management (JEAPM) issue on environmental assessment (EA) research in South Asia, which besides this introductory paper includes seven papers contributing to a wider understanding of EA-related practices in the South Asian Region (SAR), is presented in this paper.
Abstract: Welcome to this special Journal of Environmental Assessment Policy and Management (JEAPM) issue on environmental assessment (EA) research in South Asia, which besides this introductory paper includes seven papers contributing to a wider understanding of EA-related practices in the South Asian Region (SAR). Some of the papers are country-specific while others provide useful overviews of a region and/or parts of a region. The collection of papers is a result of a targeted call to researchers taking a special interest on EA issues within SAR. This special issue is timely considering the challenges and rapid growth this part of the world is currently facing. Furthermore, there is a perception that EA-related research in the region is less reported in the academic literature than others. Although this special issue cannot claim to represent all countries in South Asia, it is a step towards narrowing this perceived gap in the literature and in reporting on the emerging trends of EA within the region. It is hoped that this initiative will encourage further SAR EA-related research and publications in the future.
TL;DR: In this article, a method based on a combination of spatial and statistical analyses is proposed to define bundles and to explain the drivers of change of 24 ecosystem services in Trentino, an Alpine region of Italy.
Abstract: Approaches based on the concept of ecosystem services need analyses of the sets of spatially correlated services (i.e. bundles) and of the external factors that modify the ecosystem service supply (i.e. drivers of change). At present, appropriate methods to analyse bundles and drivers of change are still under development. This study proposes a method based on a combination of spatial and statistical analyses to define bundles and to explain the drivers of change of 24 ecosystem services in Trentino, an Alpine region of Italy. Results show that multiple services can be grouped in a few number of bundles with a complex shape. When mapping multiple services across the territory, the spatial units of representation are a combination of the intrinsic units of representation of single ecosystem services and land use classes. Land use management was found as the external factor that causes the greatest variability of the ecosystem services distribution across the region.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors explore whether a shift of focus from actual effectiveness to perceived effectiveness could help further legitimise the need for strategic environment assessment (SEA) in planning processes.
Abstract: According to the published literature, for Strategic environment assessment (SEA) to make a meaningful difference, it should be integrated into planning processes. Yet, in situations and contexts where the two processes appear to be disjointed, SEA could be applied upon conclusion of the plan-making process justifying decisions already made, or just before a decision can be made to comply with existing legal requirements. Where this is the case, then what is SEA really for? This paper aims to reflect on the usefulness of SEA, and explore whether a shift of focus from actual effectiveness to perceived effectiveness could help further legitimise the need for SEA. This is done by looking at SEA practice in Italy as a case study, as the country’s diverse regional setup presents situations in which SEA may appear to be avoided because being perceived as not very useful or where SEA may appear to be functioning and actually effective.
TL;DR: In this paper, an analytical framework is developed to compare a set of SEA reports for a similar type of plan and under similar regulations and how their contents are consistent in terms of structure, methodological approaches, critical sustainability factors and terminology used.
Abstract: Environmental reports are important documents within strategic environmental assessment (SEA). They identify, describe and evaluate the likely significant effects on the environment of implementing a plan or programme, playing, therefore, a key role for communication during the consultation and public participation processes. For similar decision-making contexts, environmental reports for the same types of plans should be consistent in terminology to assure a clear understanding by stakeholders of the aims and problems dealt with by SEA. This paper assesses to what extent SEA reports prepared for a similar type of plan and under similar regulations are comparable and how their contents are consistent in terms of structure, methodological approaches, critical sustainability factors and terminology used. To pursue this task an analytical framework is developed to compare a set of SEA reports. The SEA reports used as case study are the nine river basin management plans (RBMPs) prepared in Portugal for the first planning cycle of the Water Framework Directive. These plans must be subject to SEA, following the Portuguese regulations implementing the SEA Directive. The results show a significant similarity in the reports inside the same hydrographic region but relevant diversities among regions. The major differences are related to the methodological approaches and to the SEA terminology used. These differences resulted not from the features of the regions or of the plans, but from the different consulting teams involved in the assessment process. For an exercise undertaken by similar state agencies, under similar planning decision-making contexts and with broadly similar objectives, the disparities in SEA reports may threaten the consistency of the inherent communication process, disturb the credibility of the technical exercise and hinder the overall understanding of SEA by the stakeholders.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examine China's role in the regulatory framework for environmental assessment in the Third Pole subregion of South Asia: the Tibetan Plateau and related mountain ranges, in particular the Himalayas.
Abstract: This paper examines China’s role in the regulatory framework for environmental assessment in the ‘Third Pole’ sub-region of South Asia: the Tibetan Plateau and related mountain ranges, in particular the Himalayas. To date development has been limited, partly as a result of poverty, conflict and relative inaccessibility. However, recent collaboration between China and Pakistan, improved communication between India and China, Chinese development of Tibet, and the export of Chinese development to other countries in the sub-region financed by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, is likely to change things dramatically. Major infrastructure development, such as railways and hydroelectric dams, will place the environment under considerable pressure in the future. Given the cross-border focus of this development, the paper examines transboundary solutions to environmental protection, in particular transboundary Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) under international law and the development of a new environmental safeguards policy.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated the evolving response in plans to the biologically undesirable accumulation of copper and zinc in a New Zealand estuary and proposed a proposed Auckland Unitary Plan (PAUP) to address some cumulative effects within waters.
Abstract: Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Cumulative Effects Assessment (CEA) are the focus of this research that investigated the evolving response in plans to the biologically undesirable accumulation of copper and zinc in a New Zealand estuary. Sources of metals are influenced by policies and plan provisions for land use, transport, stormwater management and boat moorings. During four decades of local government reform, plans responded to the scientific evidence of accumulation with increasingly sophisticated stormwater management. Despite the less explicit inclusion of SEA in New Zealand legislation, this research demonstrates for international audiences the concurrence of jurisdictional amalgamation; growing awareness and knowledge sharing across scientific, engineering and planning practitioners; and a steady improvement in plans to enable a marked slowing in cumulative effects (CEs) of urbanisation. A proposed Auckland Unitary Plan (PAUP) attempts to address some cumulative effects within waters...
TL;DR: In this paper, a content analysis of the publicly available documents (e.g., regulatory documents, published news reports and reports of expert committees) related to the process of amending the EIA regulation in 2009 was conducted.
Abstract: While the extant literature on environmental impact assessment (EIA) regulation in India largely focuses on evaluating implementation, this paper studies the political processes that shape the formulation of EIA regulation. Specifically, the aim of this study is to understand the political actors that participate in the formulation process and their influence on the process. To address this research question, this paper conducts a content analysis of the publicly available documents (e.g. regulatory documents, published news reports and reports of expert committees) related to the process of amending the EIA regulation in 2009. The results show that while the overall balance of power is in favour of the economic growth lobby, the environmental groups also appear to exert some influence at the formulation stage. Extrapolating from the findings, the paper then develops a general model of the formulation process of EIA regulation in India, which shows the influence of various actors at various stages of the process.
TL;DR: The iterative development process, along with internal and external testing of the HIA screening tool, proved successful and demonstrates its applicability to a variety of scenarios.
Abstract: The first step of any health impact assessment (HIA) is screening to determine whether an HIA is an appropriate assessment option. Although screening tools exist, there is no universally-applied, transparent method that includes consideration of costs (investment) and benefits (value) of the HIA process. An HIA screening tool was developed to help address this need through the use of a targeted scoring system to assess the value of conducting an HIA against the required investment. The tool was subject to both internal and external testing. Individuals from eight different countries agreed to participate in testing of the HIA tool. Overall, there was a high level of agreement amongst participants regarding the investment versus value scoring as well as the screening outcome. Ultimately, the iterative development process, along with internal and external testing of the HIA screening tool, proved successful and demonstrates its applicability to a variety of scenarios.
TL;DR: In this paper, a comprehensive sustainability assessment framework for ex-post evaluation of private sector participation in municipal solid waste management in the context of Indian cities but which is also possible to replicate or remodel as per contextual requirement in other developing countries is presented.
Abstract: Within the gamut of the neo-liberal economic ideology, private sector participation in urban service delivery is visualised as the ultimate solution to efficient and sustainable provision of the same. While private sector participation is being pushed vigorously in municipal solid waste management in Indian cities, there is a critical gap of literature related to its performance from a holistic dimension of sustainability. A robust study can only be conducted if the sustainability assessment criteria and indicators are expansively framed to enable critical studies to take place. Based upon a detailed analysis of existing literature on private sector participation in both generic and specific contexts of municipal solid waste, this paper elaborates on a comprehensive sustainability assessment framework for ex-post evaluation of private sector participation in municipal solid waste (MSW) management in the context of Indian cities but which is also possible to replicate or remodel as per contextual requirement in other developing countries.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors assess the main impacts of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) in the development of Portuguese fisheries and suggest that CFP has failed to achieve its fundamental objective of matching fishing effort and living resources through the coupling of biologic objectives with the ones related to the social and economic aspects of fisheries.
Abstract: The aim of this paper is to assess the main impacts of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) in the development of Portuguese fisheries. CFP has introduced a wide range of regulatory instruments, such as the annual total allowable catches (TACs), restrictions on the permissible number of fishing days, fleet reductions and limits on the size and engine power of fishing vessels, alongside with some technical measures to regulate gear usage and where and when fishermen can fish. We analyse the trend evidenced by some of the most relevant structural dimensions of the Portuguese fishing fleet using data surveyed from the Statistics Portugal database for a 21 year period (1994–2014). The results suggest that CFP, namely its conservation measures, has failed so far to achieve its fundamental objective of matching fishing effort and living resources through the coupling of biologic objectives with the ones related to the social and economic aspects of fisheries.