Course Objectives: Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is an important tool for public and private development and planning decisions toward creating a sustainable society. In this course, students learn EIA theories, methods, regulations and its historical process with several case studies. Scientific aspects such as predictions and evaluation methods as well as democratic aspects relating to public participation will be explained. We will also explore â??strategic environmental assessmentâ?? as new areas of EIA. In addition to lectures, presentations by students will be conducted.

Learning Outcomes:

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• The need for both a multi-disciplinary and an interdisciplinary approach in advancing knowledge and understanding of Earth systems, drawing, as appropriate, from the natural and the social sciences
• The processes which shape the natural world at different temporal and spatial scales and their influence on and by human activities
• The terminology, nomenclature and classification systems used in environmental science
• Methods of acquiring, interpreting and analysing environmental science information with a critical understanding of the appropriate contexts for their use
• Issues concerning the availability and sustainability of resources, for example, the different value sets relating to the Earth's resources as commodities and/or heritage
• The contribution of environmental science to debate on environmental issues and how knowledge of these forms the basis for informed concern about the Earth and its people
• The contribution of environmental science to the development of knowledge of the world we live in
• The applicability of environmental science to the world of work

Prerequisites: Basic understanding about environmental systems.

Course Contents:

Module I

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA):

Introduction, definitions and concepts, rationale and historical development of EIA.

Broad components of EIA:

Initial environmental examination, environmental impact statement, environmental appraisal, environmental impact factors and areas of consideration. Pertinent institutional information, unique pollution problems, existing visual quality, public participation techniques. Composite consideration, potential cultural resources, potential visual impacts, geographical study area.

Module II

Methodologies of EIA:                                                                          

Measurement of environmental impact, organization, Scope and methodologies of EIA pertinent environmental factors. Six generic steps, descriptive checklists, simple interaction matrix, stepped matrix, uniqueness ratio, habitat evaluation system. Public involvement techniques, comprehensive environmental impact study, various project types, archaeological properties, leachate testing, evaluation species, proposing agency, EIA Models.

Module III

Environmental audit: Definitions and concepts, partial audit, compliance audit, methodologies and regulations.

Status of EIA in India:                                                                          

EIA Regulations in India, TOR for Hydropower, Projects and other projects.Case studies from hydropower projects, hazardous industries and mining.

Module IV

Environmental management:

Principles, problems and strategies; Review of political, ecological and remedial actions. Future strategies; multidisciplinary environmental strategies, the human, planning, decision-making and management dimensions.

EMAS regulations, Wider application of system based approach.

Local infrastructure development and environmental management: A system approach, Regional environmental management system, Conversion plan development and implementation strategies, Environmental management systems in local government.

Module V

Introduction to ISO , ISO 14000 and LCA

Life cycle assessment; Triple bottom line approach;Industrial Ecology. Ecological foot printing, Design for Environment, Future role of LCA, Product stewardship, design, durability and justifiability, measurement techniques and reporting.

Module VI

Carbon trading

Energy foot printing, Food foot printing and Carbon foot printing.GHG emissions, global warming, climate change and Carbon credits, CDM, Initiatives in India; Sustainable development; Future scenarios