What is an Environmental Impact Assessment?

The first World Summit on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro (1992) emphasized the importance of biodiversity as the basis of our very existence, to be used wisely and sustainably and conserved for current and future generations. The main threats to global biodiversity are associated with human activities causing habitat loss or change.

The convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Ramsar Convention, and the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) recognize Impact Assessment as an important decision-support tool to help plan and implement development with biodiversity 'in mind'. In general Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is applied to proposals with potential negative impacts on biodiversity. The aim is to make these proposals respect mechanisms for the conservation of biodiversity, resulting in sustainable use of biodiversity and ensure fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the use of biodiversity.

Impact Assessment provides opportunities to ensure that biodiversity values are recognized and taken into account in decision-making. Importantly, that involves a participatory approach with people who might be affected by a proposal.