Effectiveness of Environmental Impact Assessment as a Tool for Sustainable Development.

This research investigates effectiveness of Environmental Impact Assessment as a tool for Sustainable development. The study uses descriptive research design, and it analyses responses from stakeholders to understand the multifaceted roles of EIA in reducing environmental impacts, enhancing stakeholder engagement, protecting ecosystems and biodiversity, improving environmental quality, reducing project risks and liabilities, and promoting sustainable development objectives. The findings reveal that the reduction of environmental impacts, cited by 17.5% of respondents, underscores EIA's fundamental role in mitigating adverse environmental consequences, ensuring sustainable resource use, and reducing costs associated with environmental degradation. The enhancement of stakeholder engagement, acknowledged by 12.5% of respondents, highlights the importance of inclusive processes that involve affected communities, indigenous groups, and environmental organizations, fostering community support and preventing costly conflicts and delays. Furthermore, protection of ecosystems and biodiversity, recognized by 25% of respondents, emerges as a critical aspect of EIA. This emphasis on conservation helps maintain ecological balance and prevents biodiversity loss, thereby preserving essential ecosystem services that support various economic activities. Finally, the promotion of sustainable development objectives underscores EIA's broader impact on aligning projects with sustainability goals, enhancing economic viability, and attracting global support and investment. therefore, it is recommended based on the findings, to maximize the reduction of environmental impacts, regulatory bodies should ensure strict implementation and enforcement of EIA guidelines and mitigation measures and adequate monitoring and compliance checks should be conducted to ensure that projects adhere to the recommended environmental safeguards among others.

Effectiveness, Environmental, Impact Assessment, Sustainable Development

1. Arts, J., Caldwell, P., & Morrison-Saunders, A. (2018). Environmental impact assessment follow-up: good practice and future directions—Findings from a workshop at the IAIA’17 conference. Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal, 36(2), 106-115. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Arts, J., Caldwell, P., & Morrison-Saunders, A. (2019). Environmental Impact Assessment and sustainable development: Insights from infrastructure projects in the Netherlands. Environmental Impact [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Assessment Review, 76, 30-39. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Bina, O. (2018). Environmental Impact Assessment and the elusive promise of sustainable development. Progress in Planning, 92, 1-52. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Bina, O. (2019). Environmental assessment: The state of the art. Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal, 37(5), 365-377. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Cashmore, M., Gwilliam, R., & Morgan, R. (2020). The role of Environmental Impact Assessment in promoting sustainable energy development in Canada. Renewable Energy, 145, 1425-1433. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Cashmore, M., Gwilliam, R., Morgan, R., Cobb, D., & Bond, A. (2004). The interminable issue of effectiveness: substantive purposes, outcomes and research challenges in the advancement of environmental impact assessment theory. Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal, 22(4), 295-310. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Glasson, J., Therivel, R., & Chadwick, A. (2019). Introduction to environmental impact assessment. Routledge. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Glasson, J., Therivel, R., & Chadwick, A. (2019). Introduction to Environmental Impact Assessment. Routledge. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Morgan, R. K. (2012). Environmental impact assessment: the state of the art. Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal, 30(1), 5-14. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Morgan, R. K., Hartley, N., & Warnken, J. (2020). Evaluating the effectiveness of Environmental Impact Assessment in the mining sector in Australia. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 192, 567. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Morrison-Saunders, A., Pope, J., & Bond, A. (2018). Handbook of Strategic Environmental Assessment. Edward Elgar Publishing. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Nadeem, O., & Hameed, R. (2008). Evaluation of environmental impact assessment system in Pakistan. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 28(8), 562-571. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Partidário, M. R., & Arts, J. (2015). Exploring the concept of strategic environmental assessment follow-up. Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal, 23(3), 246-257. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Sánchez, L. E., & Gallardo, A. L. C. F. (2019). Urban planning and sustainable development: The role of Environmental Impact Assessment in Spain. Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal, 37(1), 44-54. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Stec, S., & Casey-Lefkowitz, S. (2017). The Aarhus Convention: an implementation guide. United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Wood, G., & Jones, C. (2018). The effectiveness of Environmental Impact Assessment in the United Kingdom. Journal of Environmental Management, 225, 93-104. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• Methane Emissions from Municipal Solid Waste - Case Study in Cai Rang District, Can Tho City, Vietnam
• Youth Activism, Intentional Integration of Policies to Raise Awareness on Climate Change Action among the Youth
• Breathing Spaces: Environmental & User Experience in Dhanmondi and Zigatola Multistoried Apartments, Dhaka, Bangladesh
• Effects of Solid Waste Disposal on Soil Quality in Makurdi Metropolis, Benue State, Nigeria
• Environmental Impact of Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining in Borgu Local Government Area