Similarly, Thailand's Community-led Health Impact Assessments (CHIAs), as discussed by Chaunjit Chanchitpricha and myself, empower local populations to mitigate risks from projects in the mining and energy sectors while fostering improved relationships with government agencies. These case studies demonstrate the tangible benefits of IA, particularly when communities and stakeholders are actively involved.
In Ireland, Ainhoa González and Tadgh O’Mahoney delve into the success of the national Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Action Plan, showing the importance of periodic updates and guidance documents.
Emilia Ravn Boess from Denmark presents innovative ways to integrate the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into environmental assessments, encouraging professionals to use SDGs as a framework for impactful policy and project development.
From China, Haojia Wang highlights how SEA contributed to Nanjing’s Urban Master Plan, transforming the city into a ‘Riverside Ecological Liveable City’ and addressing issues like pollution and inefficient land use.
Authors also explore IA’s role in large-scale projects. Maria Partidário from Portugal reflects on how SEA has informed decisions on significant projects like lithium exploration and Lisbon’s new airport, illustrating how critical decision-making factors can survive changes in government.
Similarly, Francois Retief, Claudine Roos, and Reece Alberts analyse responsible waste management principles in South Africa’s protected areas, offering insights on how these principles align with best practices in Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA).
Practical applications of IA are further explored through Marielle Rowan and Hannah Mills’ discussion on Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA), emphasising the need to distinguish between impacts, risks, and human rights issues in international projects.
In Wales, Catrin Lyddon examines the health implications of waste reduction and reuse initiatives, underscoring the importance of evaluating trade-offs in circular economy initiatives. Lastly, Alexandra Jiricka-Pürrer and Astrid Gühnemann from Austria propose a tiered SEA approach to national transport planning, advocating for strategic assessment of policies alongside individual projects.
The interaction between IA academics and practitioners highlighted in this journal is critical. Together, they enhance the positive results of effective and thoughtful IA, ensuring it remains a robust tool for sustainable development. The continued improvement of IA is vital in addressing modern challenges, from climate change to rapid urbanisation, and collaboration between academics and practitioners is essential for this by transcending disciplinary silos and fostering innovation.
As IA faces increasing scrutiny amid calls for reform, this journal affirms its relevance and capacity to drive meaningful change. It urges professionals from all aspects of IA to embrace integrated approaches and strengthen partnerships. By doing so, IA can continue to build sustainable societies that prioritise environmental stewardship and human well-being.
Download a copy of the Outlook Journal here.
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If you are interested in being involved in ISEP Impact Assessment Network, joining an IA Working Group, or editing or contributing to a future Impact Assessment Outlook Journal, ISEP members can email ia@iema.net.
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Please note: the views expressed in this blog are those of the individual contributing member and are not necessarily representative of the views of ISEP or any professional institutions with which ISEP is associated.
