Advanced Introduction to Environmental Impact Assessment: (Elgar Advanced Introductions series)

Elgar Advanced Introductions are stimulating and thoughtful introductions to major fields in the social sciences, business and law, expertly written by the world’s leading scholars. Designed to be accessible yet rigorous, they offer concise and lucid surveys of the substantive and policy issues associated with discrete subject areas. This updated second edition of the Advanced Introduction to Environmental Impact Assessment offers an up-to-date exploration of the current theory and practice of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), a crucial tool for evaluating and mitigating the impacts of development projects on the environment. Angus Morrison-Saunders provides an overview of the key concepts, principles, and methodologies of EIA, with a focus on recent developments, emerging trends, and best practices in the field. Key Features: Fresh analyses of how environment and development intersect in EIA Exploration of the fundamental ideas promoted by the pioneers of EIA Revised content on international best practice EIA principles and how they apply today Reflections on the increasing need to adopt a holistic, sustainability-oriented approach to EIA. With accessible style, comprehensive coverage, and a practical approach, this book is an essential resource for students, scholars, and practitioners in environmental studies, environmental governance, policy and regulation, urban planning, and related fields who want to deepen their understanding of EIA.

Table of Contents:
Contents: Preface to the second edition vii Preface to the first edition viii PART I OVERVIEW AND CONTEXT 1 Introduction: setting the scene 2 Forms of EIA 3 Back to the beginning – EIA and the National Environmental Policy Act 1969 (US) 4 A brief reflection on the goals and purpose of EIA PART II GENERIC EIA PROCESS COMPONENTS 5 EIA and decision-making 6 Screening and scoping 7 Prediction, assessment and mitigation 8 Review, approval decision and EIA follow-up PART III ABOUT DEVELOPMENT 9 Spectrum of development and design considerations 10 Alternatives and mitigation 9PART IV ABOUT ENVIRONMENT 11 Representing environment 12 Engaging with stakeholders PART V BRINGING DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENT TOGETHER 13 Science, uncertainty and adaptive management in EIA 14 Holistic and cumulative impact assessment PART VI CLOSING REMARKS ON EIA 15 Conclusions References Index

About the Author :
Angus Morrison-Saunders, Professor of Environmental Management, Centre for People, Place & Planet, and School of Science, Edith Cowan University, Australia; Extraordinary Professor, Research Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North West University, South Africa, and Senior Associate, Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, University of Cambridge, UK

Review :
‘This is a must-read for everyone interested in Environmental Impact Assessment. The author provides a clear and masterful overview of the fundamentals of EIA, that is relevant for those who are new to the field as well as for experienced practitioners and scholars who want to advance their understanding of its origins and development.’ ‘Written by one of the world's leading scholars in the field, this book will open up one's mind to the richness and complexity of EIA, drawing on insightful case studies and more than 350 references from the very early days of EIA to the most recent peer-reviewed journal publications.’