Showing papers on "Social impact assessment published in 2010"

The components of resilience—Perceptions of an Australian rural community

Abstract: Resilience, of individuals, is a well-established concept in the psychology/mental health literatures, but has been little explored in relation to communities. Related theory in the community development and social impact assessment literature provides insight into qualities and assets of communities that enable them to develop effectively or to adapt to major changes. This article reports the components of community and individual resilience identified through a participatory action research study within a rural Australian community. These are social networks and support; positive outlook; learning; early experiences; environment and lifestyle; infrastructure and support services; sense of purpose; diverse and innovative economy; embracing differences; beliefs; and leadership. These components entail interactions between individuals, the community, infrastructure, the environment and the economy in the process of building resilience. The findings extend from previous research by recognizing environmental and economic factors, infrastructure and support services, as enhancing resilience, and expand the limited evidence base for those wishing to promote resilience at the community scale. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Opportunity-Threat, Development, and Adaptation: Toward a Comprehensive Framework for Social Impact Assessment1

Abstract: Partly because of the field's efforts to deal first with the kinds of impacts that have been the most obvious and pressing, the traditional focus of social impact assessment has been on the impacts taking place during the most intensive phases of developmental activity. Recently it has become increasingly clear that a number of predictable, significant impacts take place both before and after the periods of most intense activity; these impacts are missed by social impact assessment approaches that are excessively narrow in focus. This paper offers a conceptual framework that is relatively simple but that deals with impacts both across time and across potentially affected systems of the human environment, doing so in such a way as to improve the promise of social impact assessment to become more nearly comprehensive.

Technology Assessment in Social Context: The case for a new framework for assessing and shaping technological developments

Abstract: Traditional expert (or technocratic) approaches to Technology Assessment have been fundamentally challenged by two observations. The first is that social impacts are not side effects of technology; they are core dimensions of new technology and technological development, and are a function of the coproduction of technology and society. As such, they can only be understood in social, not technical terms. Secondly, technological developments are driven by particular visions for society that are normative. Because these visions (and the latent premises that underpin them) are implicit and not negotiated by society, they are, in effect, undemocratic. Participatory methods have been utilized by Technology Assessment to improve the evaluation of the social and ethical dimensions of technology, and to democratize decision making about science and technology. However, we argue that public participation on its own does not necessarily lead to deeper understandings of social effects, nor necessarily to democratic i...

The impact of mining on women: lessons from the coal mining Bowen Basin of Queensland, Australia

Abstract: The select indicators of gender equity from the Australian Bureau of Statistics Census 2006 reveal that women of the mining towns of the Bowen Basin region of central Queensland are at a substantial social and economic disadvantage to men Through a review of select social science literature on mining communities the paper examines work, family and community structures and processes that promote and sustain patriarchy in mining communities and within households that could negatively influence mental health and relationship wellbeing of women in mining towns This is a relatively neglected field of inquiry in the social impact assessment processes of large-scale mining in Australia The paper suggests areas of research and policy initiatives to enhance women's economic self-sufficiency, gender equality and wellbeing

An Environmental Impact Assessment System for Agricultural Research and Development II: Institutional Learning Experience at Embrapa

Abstract: “An environmental impact assessment system for agricultural R&D” has been implemented by the Brazilian Agricultural Research Agency (Embrapa) aiming at fulfilling the institutional mission statement of ‘introducing sustainable development objectives in all steps of agricultural research’ The impact assessment platform emphasizes close interaction between R&D teams and technology-adopting producers, under actual field contexts, in order to improve both the technology development and the demand probing processes The proposed integrated environmental indicators system (AmbitecAgro) has been routinely applied in technology appraisals by all of Embrapa’s Research Units, as one of the criteria of its institutional evaluation system, and toward the formulation of the Social Balance Reports, annually published since 1997 The present paper describes the social and environmental dimensions of this integrated impact assessment platform, its roles in the institutional learning process for technology research management, and an impact analysis of proposed agricultural innovations

Social Impact Assessment along Russia's Northern Sea Route: Petroleum Transport and the Arctic Operational Platform (ARCOP)

Abstract: THE OIL AND GAS RESOURCES of Russia’s Arctic regions comprise the world’s largest energy reserve outside the OPEC countries. The Arctic Operational Platform (ARCOP, 2003 – 05) is a research and development project supported by the European Union’s “Competitive and Sustainable Growth” programme. The ARCOP project has 21 participating organizations, from five EU member states (Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, Great Britain, and Italy) and from Norway and Russia. The ARCOP workshops have served as an industrial, scientific, and political forum throughout the project. Participants in the workshops discuss issues such as an integrated marine transport system, the economics of transport, the supporting infrastructure with regard to ice information, the legal status of the Northern Sea Route (NSR) in relation to petroleum transportation and shipping transport services, environmental impacts, and oil spill countermeasures. The social impact assessment (SIA) component of the workshops has focused on issues of environment and technology in relation to human populations along the Northern Sea Route. Its main task, implemented by the Arctic Centre, University of Lapland, has been to carry out overview studies to assess the potential socio-cultural impacts of shipping along the NSR on indigenous peoples and small Arctic communities, with the purpose of highlighting the needs and priorities to be considered from a local perspective.

Developing the Social Life Cycle Assessment: - addressing issues of validity and usability

Abstract: Goal, Scope and Background. In recent years several different approaches towards Social Life Cycle Assessment (SLCA) have been developed. The purpose of this review is to compare these approaches in order to highlight methodological differences and general shortcomings. SLCA has several similarities with other social assessment tools, although, in order to limit the expanse of the review, only claims to address social impacts from an LCA-like framework are considered. Main Features. The review is to a large extent based on conference proceedings and reports, which are not all easily accessible, since very little has been published on SLCA in the open literature. The review follows the methodological steps of the environmental LCA (ELCA) known from the ISO 14044 standard. Results. The review reveals a broad variety in how the approaches address the steps of the ELCA methodology, particularly in the choice and formulation of indicators. The indicators address a wide variety of issues; some approaches focus on impacts created in the very close proximity of the processes included in the product system, whereas others focus on the more remote societal consequences. Only very little focus has been given to the use stage in the product life cycle. Another very important difference among the proposals is their position towards the use of generic data. Several of the proposals argue that social impacts are connected to the conduct of the company leading to the conclusion that each individual company in the product chain has to be assessed, whereas others claim that generic data can give a sufficiently accurate picture of the associated social impacts. Discussion. The SLCA approaches show that the perception of social impacts is very variable. An assessment focusing on social impacts created in the close proximity of the processes included in the product system will not necessarily point in the same direction as an assessment that focuses on the more societal consequences. This points toward the need to agree on the most relevant impacts to include in the SLCA in order to include the bulk of the situation. Regarding the use of generic data as a basis for the assessment, this obviously has an advantage over using site specific data in relation to practicality, although many authors behind the SLCA ESS-Submission-Editor: David Hunkeler (david.hunkeler@aquaplustech.ch) Methodologies for Social LCA Reviews 2 Int J LCA 2007 (OnlineFirst) ing developed to include a multitude of impacts, ranging from direct impacts on workers to broader societal consequences. Decision-makers from several different areas have found interest in SLCA, such as decision-makers on investment (Methot 2005), design (Schmidt et al. 2004, Gauthier 2005), industrial management (Caneque 2002, Schmidt et al. 2004, Dreyer et al. 2006, Nazarkina and Le Bocq 2006), consumers (Spillemaeckers et al. 2004) and public decision making (Hunkeler 2006). Also, a number of methodologies have been created without a specified target group of users (Barthel et al. 2005, Flysjo 2006, Manhart and Grieshammer 2006, Norris 2006, Weidema 2006). Furthermore, SLCA-like Internet databases are under development, having the goal to make data broadly and easily accessible to a wide range of users (Earthster 2007). Because of the limited, available descriptions, this initiative will not be discussed any further. In this review we try to draw a picture of the present landscape of SLCA by analysing the existing methodology and proposals for SLCA based on the sources mentioned above. Especially the report made by Nazarkina and Le Bocq (2006), which was already a review and analysis of SLCA methodologies, has served as a basis for this article. The review is based on a thorough literature survey including journal papers and, in particular, less easily accessible sources like conference proceedings and reports, as very little has been published until now in peer-reviewed journals. The review attempts to highlight the general points of agreement and disagreement among the authors and tries to give a specific focus on the methodological shortcomings, thereby giving a picture of the degree of maturity in the already available proposals. The presentation and discussion of the methodologies follows the general methodological framework of the SLCA as proposed by the UNEP-SETAC Life Cycle Initiative Cross cutting taskforce 3 on integration of social aspects in LCA, similar to the framework for Environmental LCA (ELCA) laid out by ISO 14040, namely: Goal definition; scope definition; inventory analysis; and impact assessment (Grieshammer et al. 2006). The interpretation phase will not be discussed here. SLCA is developing in a scientific field with many parallels to methodology discussions in Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA), Social Impact Assessment (SIA), social accounting and others. It was chosen in the review only to include methodology proposals that claim to assess social impacts based on an LCA-like framework. A consequence of this approach is the omission of methodology proposals with no claimed connection to LCA methodology, even though they may have some relevance to the overall goals of SLCA. 1 Goal definition of an SLCA study In spite of their short history, SLCA-approaches have already been developed to support several different goals. As in ELCA, two main classes of goals can be identified. One is product, process or company comparison, herein also labelling and social responsible investments, as exemplified by Schmidt et al. (2004), Spillemaeckers et al. (2004), Methot (2005). The other class is identification of product or process improvement potentials (Flysjo 2006, Gauthier 2005, Dreyer et al. 2006, Manhart and Grieshammer 2006). These classes of goals should be seen as complementary. Different goals have implications for the methodological possibilities and limitations, which will be discussed in the following. Still, several of the approaches do not specify one specific goal, such as Barthel et al.(2005), Norris (2006) and Weidema (2006). 2 Scope definition of an SLCA study The objective of the scope definition is to identify and to define the object of the study and to delimit the assessment. In this section, the origin of social impacts, allocation, system boundary setting and social indicators will be discussed. 2.1 The origin of social impacts Product systems or service systems are often composed of many processes. In ELCA it is generally accepted that the environmental impacts arise because of the nature of these processes. In other words, there is a causal link between process and environmental impact. The environmental assessment, thus, is based on an aggregated inventory of input and output for processes that are needed to provide the function defined in the functional unit. Regarding SLCA, on the other hand, it has been discussed whether this is a valid approach. Dreyer et al. (2006) and Spillemaeckers et al. (2004), for example, argue that most social impacts have no relation to the processes themselves, but rather to the conduct of the companies performing the processes. The causal link is therefore not from process to social impact, but from conduct of the company to the social impact. They argue therefore that the SLCA inventory analysis should be focused on the companies involved in the product system. Schmidt et al. (2004), on the other hand, maintain that the focus on the process is the basis for the assessment as used in the ELCA.

Environmental Impact Assessment and Social Impact Assessment - Decision Making Tools for Project Appraisal in India

Abstract: In view of the fact that development is an ever growing process, its impact is also ever increasing , leading to rapid deterioration in environmental conditions and human health, Impact assessment thus ensures that the potential problems are foreseen and addressed at an early stage in the projects plannin g and design. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Social Impact Assessment (SIA) are used to predict the consequences of any development project; as such Impact Assessment provides regional approach to sustainable development. The impacts Assessment are thus a systematic process of identifying and mitiga tion impacts on individuals or society in consultation with the ind ividuals or society in consultation with the individuals or society aff ected. This paper aims to integrate aspects of EIA and SIA and its pr acticable in India. Keywords—EIA, Process, SIA, Sustainability I. INTRODUCTION N view of the fact that development is an ever growin g process, its impact is also ever increasing, leadin g to rapid deterioration in environmental conditions and human health. Impact Assessment thus ensures that the potential p roblems are foreseen and addressed at an early stage in the pro jects planning and design. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Social Impact Assessment (SIA) are used to predict the consequences of any development project. As such Impact Assessment provides a rational approach to sustaina ble development. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) tools have been applied internationally to ensure that proposed act ions are economically viable, socially equitable and environ mentally sustainable or not. EIA is a process having the ult imate objective of providing decision-makers with an indi cation of the likely consequences of their actions. Environme ntal Assessment enables us in carrying out Environmental Cost- Benefit Analysis of projects at an initial stage. I t is thus a pre- cursor to detailed analysis of environmental impact s, which are taken up only if a need for the same is established . It gives a view of the actors involved in the development-envi ronment

Amendment 17A to the fishery management plan for the snapper grouper fishery of the South Atlantic Region with final environmental impact statement, initial Regulatory Flexibility Act analysis, regulatory impact review, and social impact assessment/fishery impact statement

Abstract: ..................................................................................................................... IV LIST OF APPENDICES .................................................................................................... X LIST OF FIGURES .......................................................................................................... XI LIST OF TABLES ......................................................................................................... XIII SNAPPER GROUPER AMENDMENT 17A LIST OF ACTIONS.............................. XIX TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT . XXI SUMMARY ........................................................................................................................ 1

The Human Dimensions of Sustainable Fisheries Management: Understanding the Importance of Social Impact Assessment in the Development of Limited Access Privilege Programs in Fisheries Management

Abstract: The intersection of human social systems and fisheries management is a highly complex web of interwoven relationships. The communities that rely on commercial fisheries for social, cultural, and economic support are experiencing increased pressures on their survival as a result of global fisheries decline. While the effects of these pressures have had obvious economic and biological impacts, they have also had profound social effects that are rarely captured or addressed. Government agencies and NGO's largely responsible for creating fisheries management plans are often not equipped to measure these social costs. The purpose of this paper is to formulate a social assessment framework for capturing potential changes in the social capital of fishing communities under a limited access privilege program (LAPP). Thorough investigation of the North Carolina snapper-grouper complex and the Mexican Kino Bay fishery were the catalyst for adaptation of the institutional analysis and development (IAD) framework presented as a new metric for understanding social transformations in these communities. On a broader level, this paper aims to encourage social science involvement in fisheries management in order to promote a balance between the social and biological components of fisheries management.

Towards social impact assessment of copper-nickel mining in Botswana

Abstract: This research study is more of an initiative towards Social Impact Assessment of coppernickel mining in Botswana. The specific objectives of the study were centred on the assessment of the social impacts of copper-nickel mining in Botswana from the initial mining stage of exploration, surveying and mine site development to mine closure. The study was carried out under the broad hypotheses that mining influences population movement that impact on areas of mining; mining activities have both economic benefits and deleterious social impacts on the local communities found in the areas where mining is taking place; and mine closure has far reaching socio-economic, investment and developmental implications over and above the obvious interests of project owners. To achieve the broad aim as summarised above, the research study used a multi-disciplinary methodology and approach that required several kinds of expertise and sources of information. Hence it used both primary and secondary sources centred on interactive informative interviews, site visits and observations, questionnaires, census data records, mining companies’ publications, published textbooks and journal articles. The research study comprised of three different mines operated by three different mining companies in three varied socio-cultural and ethnic regions of Botswana. First was a detailed Social Impact Assessment of the initial phase of exploration, surveying and mine site development represented by Mowana mine project operated by African Copper in the rural areas of Dugwi and Mosetse. This case study yielded results showing that the social impacts of mining in the area are diverse and extensive. The findings suggest that the impacts relate not only to the possible economic benefits of foreign exchange, employment, the optimal use of available mineral resources and the possible development of Dugwi and Mosetse villages, but extends to the deleterious social impacts. The results also indicated that the social impacts have just begun in the two communities. Hence they point towards a possible disruption within the socio-cultural system of the local people if serious mitigation measures are not put in place; thus suggesting that the early stages of exploration and mine site development results in the most conflict between the mine and the local people. Second was a comprehensive Social Impact Assessment of Tati-Nickel Phoenix mining project in the peri-urban areas of Matshelagabedi and Matsiloje areas representing the mining stage of mine production and expansion. The results from this case study suggest that during

The application of grey clustering analysis on social impact assessment of natural forest protection project

Abstract: The social impact assessment method and evaluation system were put forward with the actual situation of the natural forest protection project in Henan Province Grey clustering method was introduced to evaluate the social impact of the project The evaluation items were rebuilt by the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) The Sub-category of gray was found according to evaluation indicators results of social impact of the natural forest protection project, and the triangle whitening weight function were calculated The synthetic clustering coefficient was σ hn 2 = 5704, indicating that the effectiveness of the social impact of natural forest protection project in Henan Province is still a “normal” gray However, the values of σ hn 3 (4391) and σ hn 2 were quite close, it showed that the social impact of natural forest protection project has begun to benefit from the “general” to “strong” transition

Our place, or mine? : sense of place, social impact assessment and coal mining in Gloucester, NSW

Abstract: This study examines the impact of coal mining and coal seam methane (CSM) extraction on the ‘sense of place’ of the people of the Gloucester Shire, New South Wales. The findings derived from Gloucester inform an analysis of the potential for recognising loss of ‘place’ as a social impact within social impact assessment (SIA). This potential was considered within the geographic context of the Hunter Valley, Gunnedah Basin, and Gloucester Valley, which constitute contiguous and related regions subject to coal development. Previous research in similar contexts indicated that a felt loss of place was likely. A methodology was adopted that combined survey-based quantitative analysis, key informant interviews, and extensive consideration of the literature of place and SIA. Results indicate that loss of place is being felt strongly by the Gloucester community, although considerable divergence exists in both felt loss of place and support for coal-related development. Widespread dissatisfaction with the prevailing levels of community input into development processes also emerged as a significant issue with particular ramifications for the maintenance of place. While a substantial loss of place was in evidence in Gloucester, the recognition of this loss as a social impact is suggested as being hampered by mensuration difficulties, the diversity of ‘place attachments’, and the nature of impact assessment decision-making. The establishment of placeconscious, participatory SIA processes is suggested as an alternative mechanism for mitigating place loss in the coal mining areas of the Hunter, Gunnedah, and Gloucester regions.

Ambatovy project: From impact assessment to offsetting

Abstract: Ambatovy is a nickel cobalt mining project located in Madagascar, one of the world's high biodiversity and endemicity areas. Main impacts on biodiversity predicted in the 2006 Environment and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) were from forest clearing on presumed local endemic flora and fauna (species of concern only known from the project area). Mitigation and on-site and offsite biodiversity offset programs are being implemented with the goal to produce no net loss of biodiversity and preferably net gain (according to the guiding principles of the Business and Biodiversity Offset Program1). Here we show how biodiversity understanding has increased from the time of ESIA development and how the project's biodiversity management program has developed compared to that envisaged in 2006. Areas compared include impact avoidance and mitigation, management of species of concern, offset design and the integration of social issues in biodiversity management. Lessons learned will be emphasised, which could be useful for other assessments in high biodiversity areas.

Socio Environmental Impact In Eco-architecture

Abstract: The interest of this paper is to focus on the social community and its built environment as an important part of creating ecological design, satisfying the community’s social culture needs and achieving eco-architecture. The social impact assessment (SIA) is an important indicator in the age of information, communication technologies and globalization that affects the future of architecture. The social environment is different to the natural environment because it reacts in anticipation of change, but can adapt in reasoned ways to changing circumstances if this is part of the planning process, and there is the opportunity to participate in designing our future. This paper addresses itself to that modified challenge to achieve eco architecture. Firstly it attempts to define and clarify the SIA as a framework for the comprehensive understanding of environmental experience, regarding its variables and how it could be different depending on social cultures. Secondly it applies this idea to architectural projects that have won prizes at the AGKA awards for sustainable projects in developing countries, adopting the concept of our need to preserve the balance of nature. We consider Masdar, the zero carbon city in the UAE, in our case study with attention being given to the important relationship between physical design and social behaviour regarding eco-architecture.

Positive Analysis of Social Impact Assessment of Expressway——Taking Tumu-Jiaoniwan Section of Beijing-Huashaoying Expressway for Instance

Abstract: Based on the analysis about the importance of social impact assessment of BeijingHuashaoying Expressway Tumu-Jiaoniwan Section,the quadratic synthesis fuzzy evaluation model is used to analyze and evaluate its social impact,which can provide reference for expressway project approval decision-making.

Environmental and social impact assessment for Dodoma municipal council and capital development authority

Abstract: The Strategic Cities Project for Tanzania development objective will be to: (i) expand access (for firms and households) to urban infrastructure and services in selected urban Local Government Authorities (LGAs); and (ii) strengthen the management and fiscal performance of those urban LGAs. Negative impacts include: soil and water pollution; soil erosion and instability of slopes; loss of definite materials and land degradation; noise pollution; air pollution; vibration; increased road accidents; and increased spread of HIV/AIDS. Mitigation measures include: 1) the use of silt fences and hay bales to remove suspended solids from surface and the use of silt curtains to minimize sediment suspension and transport while working near water crossings; 2) lined drainage channels at sensitive terrains shall be provided to control speed and volumes of storm-water; 3) where construction materials such as gravel and stones are to be obtained from village lands, the material shall be purchased and this will be officially negotiated with villagers and/or village government in order to avoid conflict; 4) provide working/protective gears to workers; 5) proper choice of equipment which offer environmental advantages; 6) advance notice to local communities, and proper location of quarry sites; 7) speed limits in villages and conduct seminars to road users; and 8) safety, health, and environment (SHE) induction course, support HIV/AIDS campaigns, and provision of condoms.

Social Impact Assessment Models

Abstract: The aim of impact assessment in the public domain is to estimate accurately the largest possible extent to which interventions or actions achieve their objectives. Such estimates are, inevitably, to a certain degree plausible. But as the model used is more rigorous, the results will be more accurate. But what is a rigorous model for social impact assessment? And, most importantly, what model would be appropriate to estimate the social impact for the public sector in Romania? This paper is meant to analyze the main trend of models for social impact assessment in public sphere in general and in Romanian public administration in particular.