Thesis (M. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 2005.

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. Johannesburg, 2017. / An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is an instrument used to limit unexpected and negative effects of proposed developments on the environment. Much experience has been gained internationally but the lack of follow-up after the EIA is prepared is one of the major weak spots of the assessments. It is therefore very important to follow up on development projects and observe their effects on the environment after the go-ahead has been given, so that the EIA quality may be improved. There is often a significant difference between predicted impacts and actual impacts. Sometimes the predicted impacts do not occur, or new impacts which were not predicted in the Environmental Impacts Assessment Reports (EIRs) arise. The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of the impacts predicted in the EIRs compiled for three large-scale Eskom projects currently under execution situated in the Mpumalanga, Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal provinces by comparing them to the actual impacts that occurred on site. The EIA follow-up process was used to assess the influence that the EIA may have on large-scale projects and ultimately assess the effectiveness of the EIA process as a whole. A procedure developed by Wilson (1998) was used to follow up on the selected projects because the method allowed for comparisons between the actual and predicted impacts to be made and for discrepancies in the EIRs to be identified. Recent audit reports, aerial photographs and interviews were all used to identify actual impact occurrence. Of the impacts which actually occurred, 91% occurred as predicted (OP) and 9% occurred but were not predicted (ONP). The majority of impacts omitted from the reports were hydrological (27%) and air quality impacts (25%). These unexpected impacts were most probably overlooked because they are site-specific, temporary in nature and would not cause any significant environmental damage. Of all the impacts predicted in the reports, 85% were accurately predicted and 15% were not. The impacts inaccurately predicted were hydrological impacts (27%), flora and fauna impacts (7%) and 30% other impacts which included soil pollution, fires and loss of agricultural potential. The inaccuracies could be a result of Environmental Impact Assessment Practitioners (EAPs) predicting a large number of impacts with the hopes of lowering the risk of omitting impacts. However, sometimes the impacts predicted do not occur in reality. Overall it can be concluded that the impact prediction accuracy of the three EIRs compiled for Eskom exceeds previous studies conducted nationally. Eskom EIRs are highly accurate with regards to impact prediction with minor discrepancies which can easily be rectified. Key words: Environmental Impacts Assessment (EIA) Environmental Impacts Assessment Reports (EIRs), Environmental Impact Assessment Practitioners (EAPs), EIA follow-up, discrepancies. / LG2017

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 67-72).

Thesis (M. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 70-73).

This thesis has two major objectives. First, some of the key environmental problems, such as waste disposal, pollution and sand encroachment in Kuwait are analysed in the context of the decision making process of the country. On the end once presented it is suggested that decision making is responsible for many of the environmental problems that now exist. This analysis adopts the social science approach of analyzing decision making by investigating both political theories and decision making models and relating them to Kuwait. The second objective is to consider to what extent certain tools and methods of environmental management could be introduced in Kuwait to help resolve the environmental problems. Based on the evaluation of a number of approaches it is suggested that Environmental Impact Assessment (E.I.A.) is probably the most effective environmental management tool to help protect Kuwait's environment and achieve the concept of sustainable development. To be effective however it is aruged that E.I.A. should be applied not only at the project level but also in policy formulation. The case studies are then presented. One considers the application of E.I.A. at the policy level for solid waste management whilst the second describes a project E.I.A. approach for a proposed navigation channel. It is suggested in this thesis that economic growth on its own, should no longer be seen as the main indicator of development. Sustainable development with all that this encompasses including the linking of economic and environmental concerns should be seen as the new development objective. This specifies the need to maintain the quality of natural resources over time to meet the needs of present and future generations. E.I.A. should help to achieve this objective if applied to both projects and policies. This thesis concludes with certain recommendations to impose E.I.A. practice in Kuwait, based on the evidence presented.

Thesis (S.J.D)--University of Toronto, 2005. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 67-07, Section: A, page: 2729. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 67-72). Also available in print.

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 2004. / Title proper from title frame. Also available in printed format.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1982. / Typescript. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 284-288).