A Avaliação de Impacto Ambiental é um instrumento que auxilia o processo decisório, a elaboração de projetos e propostas de desenvolvimento, e que oferece campo para a integração de valores associados à sustentabilidade e ao desenvolvimento sustentável. Para que a avaliação de impacto ambiental seja efetiva, deve estar embasada na delimitação das questões prioritárias, bem como em respostas adequadas e necessárias aos tomadores de decisão, em um processo conhecido como scoping. A delimitação do escopo de um Estudo de Impacto Ambiental (EIA) tem como principal objetivo definir os estudos considerados adequados para a correta avaliação dos impactos potencialmente significativos relacionados a um projeto, orientado pelo diagnóstico preliminar de suas áreas de influência. Diante da necessidade de avaliar a efetividade dessa etapa dentro do quadro geral da AIA praticada, o objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a etapa de delimitação do escopo de estudos de impacto ambiental de processos de Avaliação de Impacto Ambiental ocorridos no Estado de São Paulo, utilizando-se como marco referencial a promulgação da Resolução SMA 54/2004. A fim de estudar o processo de scoping no estado de São Paulo, nos termos da regulamentação vigente e com base nas melhores práticas preconizadas para este instrumento, foram analisados 34 processos de licenciamento ambiental que tramitaram na Secretaria de Meio Ambiente do Estado de São Paulo (SMA/CETESB), para diferentes tipologias de empreendimento. Os resultados obtidos demonstram que a estrutura preconizada para o scoping no estado, ainda que seja potencialmente diferenciada em relação aos demais estados do país, não tem assegurado a formulação de Termos de Referências concisos e focados nos impactos significativos dos empreendimentos, pouco contribuindo para a efetividade das avaliações de impacto. / The Environmental Impact Assessment is an instrument which helps in the decision making, the elaboration of projects and development of proposals, also offers a way for the integration of values associated with the sustainability and sustainable development. For the environmental impact assessment to be effective, it should be based on delimitation of priority issues, as well as responses appropriate and necessary to the decision makers, in a process known as scoping. The main objective of the EIA scoping is define the studies considered suitable for the correct evaluation of potentially significant impacts related to a project, directed by the preliminary diagnosis of their areas of influence. Considering the need to evaluate the effectiveness of this step within the overall framework of the EIA carried, the aim of this study was to evaluate de scoping phase in environmental impact statement of Environmental Impact Assessment processes occurred in São Paulo State, under the current regulation and based on best practices recommended for this instrument. The study evaluated 34 environmental licensing process which were proceed through the Secretary of Environment of the São Paulo State (Secretaria de Meio Ambiente do Estado de São Paulo - SMA/CETESB), with different development typologies. The results obtained showed that the structure recommended for the scoping in the São Paulo State, although it is potentially different than the other states in Brazil, it hasnt ensured the elaboration of Terms of Reference concise and focused on significant impacts of the projects, with few contribution to the effectiveness of environmental impact assessment.

Shi, Xiaoxin. / "August 2010." / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 153-169). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract (English) --- p.iv / Abstract (Chinese) --- p.iiiv / Acknowledements --- p.iv / List of Tables --- p.ix / List of Figures --- p.x / Abbreviations --- p.xii / "Terms in English, Chinese, and Chinese pinyin" --- p.xi / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- SEA and its practice in China --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Research objectives --- p.3 / Chapter 1.3 --- Research questions --- p.3 / Chapter 1.4 --- Significance of this research --- p.5 / Chapter 1.5 --- Structure of the thesis --- p.6 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- SEA and Its Chinese Context --- p.9 / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.9 / Chapter 2.2 --- The definition of SEA --- p.9 / Chapter 2.3 --- The two schools of SEA theory --- p.12 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- EIA-based SEA --- p.12 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Policy-oriented SEA --- p.112 / Chapter 2.4 --- SEA in the Chinese context --- p.15 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Institutional context: administrative structure and governmental organs --- p.15 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- "Planning system context: urban SEPs, basic classification, and attributes" --- p.21 / Chapter 2.4.3 --- Historical context: from EIA to SEA --- p.25 / Chapter 2.4.4 --- "Regulatory context: a ""grey area"" for urban SEPs" --- p.28 / Chapter 2.5 --- Summary --- p.30 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Research Methodology and Design --- p.31 / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.31 / Chapter 3.2 --- Inquiry process as a social practice --- p.31 / Chapter 3.3 --- Framing the research --- p.33 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- "Starting from the tangible top of an ""iceberg""" --- p.33 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Establishing criteria for evaluation --- p.35 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Research Framework --- p.36 / Chapter 3.4 --- Literature review: summarizing key elements of good SEAs of urban SEPs --- p.37 / Chapter 3.5 --- Research instruments --- p.39 / Chapter 3.5.1 --- Literature review --- p.39 / Chapter 3.5.2 --- Questionnaire Survey --- p.39 / Chapter 3.5.3 --- Case studies --- p.40 / Chapter 3.5.4 --- Interviews --- p.42 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Review of Chinese SEA of Urban SEPs --- p.44 / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.44 / Chapter 4.2 --- Key elements of SEA of urban SEPs --- p.45 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Integrated approach --- p.45 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Integrated content --- p.47 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Integrated process --- p.48 / Chapter 4.2.4 --- Communicative and participative process --- p.51 / Chapter 4.2.5 --- Consideration of alternatives --- p.52 / Chapter 4.2.6 --- Tiering and follow-up --- p.54 / Chapter 4.2.7 --- "Applying the six ""key elements of SEAs of urban SEPs"" to the evaluation of Chinese practices" --- p.56 / Chapter 4.3 --- General issues of Chinese SEA practices: a Chinese literature review --- p.58 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- SEA approach --- p.58 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- SEA content --- p.60 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- Integration with the planning process --- p.622 / Chapter 4.3.4 --- Stakeholder involvement --- p.63 / Chapter 4.3.5 --- Consideration of alternatives --- p.64 / Chapter 4.3.6 --- Establishment of continuous SEA process --- p.64 / Chapter 4.4 --- Questionnaire feedbacks from SEA practitioners --- p.65 / Chapter 4.5 --- "Case studies from three cities: Dalian, Wuhan, and Shanghai" --- p.69 / Chapter 4.5.1 --- SEA of the Urban Development Plan of Dalian City (2003-2020) --- p.72 / Chapter 4.5.2 --- SEA of the 11th Five-Year Economic and Social Development Plan (FYP) of Wuhan City (2006-1010) --- p.75 / Chapter 4.5.3 --- SEA of the 11th Five-Year Economic and Social Development Plan of Pudong New District in Shanghai (2006-2010) --- p.77 / Chapter 4.5.4 --- Findings from case studies --- p.81 / Chapter 4.6 --- Interviews with SEA practitioners and urban planners --- p.82 / Chapter 4.6.1 --- Applying EIA-based approach along with data deficiencies --- p.83 / Chapter 4.6.2 --- "SEA contents: narrow in scope, technical in presentation" --- p.84 / Chapter 4.6.3 --- Linkages with the planning process --- p.85 / Chapter 4.6.4 --- Insufficient non-government stakeholder involvement --- p.87 / Chapter 4.6.5 --- Inadequate consideration for alternatives at strategic levels --- p.88 / Chapter 4.6.6 --- One-time-only assessment exercises --- p.89 / Chapter 4.7 --- Conclusion --- p.90 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- Discussion and Recommendations --- p.93 / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.93 / Chapter 5.2 --- Recommendations for SEA approach --- p.93 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- Moving beyond the rational decision-making mindset --- p.94 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- Moving beyond the end-of-pipe control mindset --- p.98 / Chapter 5.3 --- Recommendations for SEA content --- p.102 / Chapter 5.3.1 --- Reporting: making sense for non-environmental experts --- p.102 / Chapter 5.3.2 --- Building up SEA team --- p.104 / Chapter 5.4 --- Recommendations for SEA process --- p.107 / Chapter 5.5 --- Recommendations for stakeholder involvement: engaging non-government stakeholders --- p.110 / Chapter 5.6 --- Recommendations for considering alternatives at strategic levels --- p.114 / Chapter 5.7 --- Applying SEA more strategically --- p.116 / Chapter 5.8 --- Summary --- p.120 / Chapter Chapter 6 --- Conclusions --- p.122 / Chapter 6.1 --- Research findings --- p.122 / Chapter 6.1.1 --- Deficiencies in content and process of recent Chinese SEA of urban SEPs --- p.122 / Chapter 6.1.2 --- Views and recommendations from stakeholders on the deficiencies of Chinese SEA of urban SEPs --- p.124 / Chapter 6.1.3 --- Recommendations to improve SEAs of urban SEPs in China --- p.126 / Chapter 6.2 --- Limitations and future research --- p.128 / Chapter 6.3 --- Concluding remarks --- p.129 / Appendix I Questionnaire Survey --- p.131 / Appendix II A full list of the interviewees in this research --- p.134 / Appendix III Guiding questions for semi-structured interviews --- p.136 / Appendix IV Main contents of Five-Year Plans and UMPs --- p.141 / Appendix V Main topics in SEAs of urban SEPs --- p.144 / Appendix VI Recommendations to improve Chinese SEA of urban SEPs by interviewees --- p.15147 / Appendix VII Recommendations and challenges to address the six issues of Chinese SEA of urban SEPs --- p.151 / References --- p.153

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is the systematic identification and evaluation of the potential impacts (effects) of proposed projects, plans, programmes, or legislative actions relative to the biophysical, cultural, and socioeconomic components ofthe natural environment (Canter 1996). The overall purpose ofEIA is to assist in shaping the development process, not to prevent development from taking place and to ensure that the environmental consequences of development proposals are systematically assessed and taken into account . Since the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, there has been a substantial increase in the adoption ofEIA worldwide (Sheate 1996). The main aim of this report is to investigate the role of Ezemvelo Kwazulu-Natal Wildlife (EKZN-Wildlife) with respect to EIAs inside and outside the protected areas in KwaZulu-Natal. It has four objectives. • To establish the role EKZN-Wildlife should play in the EIA process inside and outside protected areas • • • To establish which institutions should manage the EIA process for EKZNWildlife developments To ascertain ifEKZN-Wildlife can be designated as a relevant authority To establish if EKZN-Wildlife should consult professionally in IEM for income generation The research method used to achieve these objectives were qualitative, with respondents purposefully chosen from EKZN-Wildlife, DAEA and environmental consultants. A selfadministered questionnaire method was used to collect data, and both open-ended and closed questions were asked. Techniques such as Likert scale and semantic differential were used to allow respondents to express feelings by ratings with respect to opposing concepts. The data analysis was mainly through reduction and displays in the form of tables and graphs. This report, amongst its fmdings, found that apart from being an lAP, the role ofEKZNWildlife in EIA should be that of providing specialist input in particular to biodiversity related issues during the EIA process. It was also found that appointing EKZN-Wildlife as a relevant authority would be inappropriate and could .have negative consequences. Concerning the scheduled activities that EKZN-Wildlife undertakes, the report found that self-assessments could be considered for small projects but not for big projects. This report also found that an environmental consulting role for EKZN-Wildlife may not be a viable option to generate income. This report recognizes that EIAs incorporate much more than mere consideration of green issues and recommends that EKZN-Wildlife should adopt an interdisciplinary team approach when dealing with EIAs. EKZN-Wildlife should also engage the relevant authority in a constructive dialogue so that its role during the EIA process can be defined explicitly. This report also recommends that EKZN-Wildlife should investigate the nature and the possibility ofproviding the necessary specialist review during the EIA process. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2003.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniv., 2007. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Thesis (M. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 1994. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 65-66).

Thesis (M.Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 1994. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 65-66) Also available in print.

nÃo hà / Este trabalho tem como objetivos : analisar o Estudo de Impacto Ambiental ( EIA ), elaborado pela Consultora SIRAC, e a qualidade da Ãgua do reservatÃrio Atalho situado no MunicÃpio de Brejo Santo, CearÃ, Brasil; e avaliar o EIA sob o ponto de vista das normas preconizadas na ResoluÃÃo 01/86 do CONAMA . O perÃodo de estudo foi compreendido de janeiro de 2001 a janeiro de 2002 abrangendo, distintos perÃodos climÃticos e de precipitaÃÃes, na Ãrea da bacia hidrÃulica do aÃude . O estudo se propÃs, ainda, a conhecer a viabilidade ambiental do projeto do aÃude Atalho, atravÃs da anÃlise dos principais impactos ambientais decorrentes da sua implantaÃÃo e operaÃÃo. A avaliaÃÃo de impacto empreendida, foi conduzida segundo o mÃtodo de avaliaÃÃo ponderal desenvolvido por BIANCHI et alli, o qual resultou da evoluÃÃo do mÃtodo matricial proposto por LEOPOLD. A anÃlise global do empreendimento, representada pela junÃÃo dos resultados obtidos para as Ãreas de influÃncia fÃsica e funcional, demonstrou que, em sua versÃo original, o projeto apresenta uma soma de benefÃcios ponderados inferior ao conjunto das adversidades e das indefiniÃÃes contidas, o que o caracteriza como indefinido ou mau concebido. A incorporaÃÃo das medidas de proteÃÃo ambiental, no entanto, conseguiria reverter esse quadro, conduzindo a caracterizaÃÃo do projeto para a Ãrea como favorÃvel ao meio natural. Para anÃlise da qualidade da Ãgua foram selecionados trÃs pontos distintos dentro do reservatÃrio especificados como pontos P1, P2 e P3 sendo os dois primeiros situados prÃximos ao centro do aÃude e o ponto P3 prÃximo das margens e do riacho dos Porcos. ApÃs o monitoramento realizado das variÃveis fÃsico-quÃmicas e biolÃgicas das Ãguas da represa esta pode ser classificada na classe 3 nos pontos P1 e P2, sendo propicia para o consumo humano apÃs tratamento convencional e para o ponto P3 nÃo existe uma adequabilidade dos dados obtidos à ResoluÃÃo 020/CONAMA, devido, principalmente, este ponto ser fortemente impactado pela ocorrÃncia de despejos de esgotos da cidade de Jati, Cearà . Quanto à balneabilidade as Ãguas da represa foram consideradas imprÃprias para este uso nos trÃs pontos monitorados, principalmente no ponto P3. Isto deveu-se, tambÃm, Ãs inÃmeras atividades antrÃpicas promovidas nas margens do reservatÃrio. Para avaliaÃÃo do estado trÃfica das Ãguas do aÃude foram utilizados os Ãndices de classificaÃÃo trÃfica o IET de Carlson modificado por Kratzer e Brezonik e a classificaÃÃo proposta pela OECD ( OrganizaÃÃo para CooperaÃÃo EconÃmica e Desenvolvimento ). ApÃs as anÃlises quÃmicas nos trÃs pontos monitorados P1, P2 e P3 constatou-se que as Ãguas do aÃude apresentavam um estado trÃfico do tipo mesotrÃfico nos pontos P1 e P2 e no ponto P3 do tipo eutrÃfico. Em suma o reservatÃrio Atalho apÃs o tÃrmino da sua construÃÃo em 1.988 e atà a presente data, ainda nÃo tem promovido a implementaÃÃo de benefÃcios socioeconÃmicos à regiÃo onde se situa. O uso dos recursos hÃdricos bem como, a geraÃÃo de energia no reservatÃrio està em funÃÃo, da transposiÃÃo das Ãguas do rio SÃo Francisco, preconizada na versÃo original do projeto. Essa dependÃncia limita , atà a presente data, uma geraÃÃo de renda atravÃs dos seus usos mÃltiplos. . / This work has as objective to analyze the Environmental Impact Study (EIS), carried through by SIRAC Consultant, and the water quality of Atalho reservoir situated in Brejo Santo borough, CearÃ, Brazil; to evaluate the EIS under the point of view of the released norms in Resolution 01/86 of CONAMA. The period of study was understood from January 2001 to January 2002 enclosing thus, different climatic periods and precipitations, in the hydraulic area basin of the dam. The study still proposed, to be acquainted with the environmental feasibility of the Atalho public dam project through the analysis of the main environmental impacts resulting from its implementation and operation. The undertaken environmental impact assessment was led according to the pondering assessment method developed by BIANCHI et alli, which resulted from the matrix method evolution, offered by LEOPOLD. The global undertaking analysis represented by gathering obtained results for functional and physical influenced areas, proved that in its original version, the project offers a sum of pondered benefits under to the contained adversities and indefinition groups, what characterizes it as indefinite or badly planned. The incorporation of environmental protection measures, however, would are able to revert this fact leading the project characterization to the area as favorable for the natural environment. For the analyzes of the water quality had been selected three distinct points inside the reservoir specified as P1, P2 and P3, being the two first situated next to the center of the dam and the P3 point next to the edges and the stream of the Pigs, main tributary of the dam. After the monitoring accomplished of the physical-chemical and biological variable of the waters in the dam, it can be classified as class 3 at the points P1 and P2, as suitable for the human use after conventional treatment and for the P3 point there is no suitability of found data to the Resolution 020/CONAMA , mainly for being strongly impacted due to the drainage sewage of Jati town, CearÃ. As to bathing the water of the dam was considered unsuitable for this use at the 3 monitored points mostly at point P3 . This was also due to the many antropic activities held at the reservoir banks. For evaluation of the Index of trophic classification were used CarlsonÂs IET modified for Kratzer and Brezonik and the proposed classification by OECD ( Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development ) . After the chemical analyses in the three monitored points P1, P2 and P3 it was evidenced that the waters of the dam presented a trophic state of mesotrophic type at P1 and P2 points and eutrophic at point P3. In short the reservoir Atalho after the ending of its construction in 1.988 and until the present date, it has not promoted the implementation of socioeconomics benefits to the region yet where it takes place. The water resources from the reservoir, as well as, the generation of energy in the reservoir is in function, mainly the waters transposition of San Francisco river contained in the original version of the project. Up to now, this dependence limits income generation through its multiple uses.

M.A. / The study of the two possible routes for the magnetite slurry pipeline between Phalaborwa and Maputo was motivated because of the impact it can have on the environment. Since the early 1970's the environment has become more and more important to the people that live in it. By law any development should by forgone by an Environmental Impact Assessment, and for that reason this study was undertaken. Environmental Impact Assessment (E.I.A.) measures impacts of one or more environmental indicators on the environment. Further more an Environmental Impact Assessment means a national procedure for evaluating the likely impact of a proposed activity on the environment. It is thus a tool used to minimise the impacts of human development on the environment. This tool will be used to compare the two routes and to identify the route with less Environmental Impact. Within the growing field of environmental science and engineering, there is increasing interest in and use of Environmental Assessment (EA). In this form of assessment, the experts evaluate the probable impact of a range of alternative actions that have been proposed in response to a problem, in this case the placing of a pipeline from Phalaborwa to Maputo. Environmental Impacts may be considered in light of economic, social, or security constraints; hence the lightest impact is not necessarily always chosen by planners.

Public participation can be defined as ...”a process leading to a joint effort by stakeholders, technical specialists, the authorities and the proponent who work together to produce better decisions than if they had acted independently" (Greyling, 1999, p. 20). In South Africa, public participation processes are legally driven and form part a statutory part of environmental impact assessments. Many environmental impact assessments have been undertaken in South Africa, but the environmental impact assessment undertaken for the proposed construction of a demonstration module pebble bed modular reactor was perhaps one of the biggest studies undertaken to date from a public participation process point of view (Smit, 2003). The main aim of this mini-dissertation was to evaluate the public participation process followed for the environmental impact assessment of the demonstration module pebble bed modular reactor at Koeberg in the Western Cape Province against the criteria for fairness and competence as set out by Webler (In: Renn et al., 1995). Despite the fact that this work is eleven years old, it is still regarded as a benchmark for the evaluation of public participation processes in environmental decision making (Abelson et al., 2003). Webler (In: Renn et al., 1995) developed a normative theory for fairness and competence in public participation based on the theory of ideal speech of German sociologist Jürgen Habermas. Habermas’ main contribution to science was his theory of universal pragmatics (Author unknown, 2005). Universal pragmatics is a theory aimed at explaining how language is used to ensure mutual understanding and agreement. Webler (In: Renn et al., 1995) argues that the conditions of universal pragmatics, if applied to public participation, points towards the concepts of fairness (providing everyone with the opportunity to participate) and competence [providing participants (called interested and affected parties (I&APs) with the opportunity to make, question and validate speech acts]. Habermas advocates that each statement (or speech act) makes at least one validity claim and that there is a presupposition that the speaker can validate each claim to the satisfaction of all communication partners, should this be necessary (Perold, 2006). Furthermore, Habermas identifies four different types of validity claims, each having to do with a specific type of statement. In his theory, communicative speech acts have to do with comprehensibility; constantive speech acts with truth/correctness; regulative speech acts with normative rightness and representative speech acts with sincerity. Webler (In: Renn et al., 1995) developed a set of criteria to evaluate the fairness and competence in public participation. This set of criteria was applied to the public participation process of the case study. The study found that the process followed in the case study did not fare particularly well in either fairness or competence, but that fairness was slightly better than competence. The most alarming finding was that little attempt was made to ensure that validity claims – especially constantive (truth and factual information) – were validated or redeemed as this left the door open for misinterpretation, politics and incorrectness. It was also found that I&APs were, for the most, prevented from participating in the decision-making process. This finding may or may not be interpreted as negative as the public participation consultant never made a claim towards power sharing as well as the fact that there are widely differing opinions regarding the level to which public participation should take place. It was suggested that at least some elements of power sharing be incorporated into future processes, that validity claims – especially constantive (theoretical/factual) and therapeutic (regarding feelings and emotions) – must be able to stand up to scrutiny and should be validated. Finally, it was suggested that more attention be given to representative speech acts (statements regarding emotions, perceptions and feelings). / Dr. J. M. Meeuwis

A Avaliação de Impacto Ambiental é um instrumento que auxilia o processo decisório, a elaboração de projetos e propostas de desenvolvimento, e que oferece campo para a integração de valores associados à sustentabilidade e ao desenvolvimento sustentável. Para que a avaliação de impacto ambiental seja efetiva, deve estar embasada na delimitação das questões prioritárias, bem como em respostas adequadas e necessárias aos tomadores de decisão, em um processo conhecido como scoping. A delimitação do escopo de um Estudo de Impacto Ambiental (EIA) tem como principal objetivo definir os estudos considerados adequados para a correta avaliação dos impactos potencialmente significativos relacionados a um projeto, orientado pelo diagnóstico preliminar de suas áreas de influência. Diante da necessidade de avaliar a efetividade dessa etapa dentro do quadro geral da AIA praticada, o objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a etapa de delimitação do escopo de estudos de impacto ambiental de processos de Avaliação de Impacto Ambiental ocorridos no Estado de São Paulo, utilizando-se como marco referencial a promulgação da Resolução SMA 54/2004. A fim de estudar o processo de scoping no estado de São Paulo, nos termos da regulamentação vigente e com base nas melhores práticas preconizadas para este instrumento, foram analisados 34 processos de licenciamento ambiental que tramitaram na Secretaria de Meio Ambiente do Estado de São Paulo (SMA/CETESB), para diferentes tipologias de empreendimento. Os resultados obtidos demonstram que a estrutura preconizada para o scoping no estado, ainda que seja potencialmente diferenciada em relação aos demais estados do país, não tem assegurado a formulação de Termos de Referências concisos e focados nos impactos significativos dos empreendimentos, pouco contribuindo para a efetividade das avaliações de impacto. / The Environmental Impact Assessment is an instrument which helps in the decision making, the elaboration of projects and development of proposals, also offers a way for the integration of values associated with the sustainability and sustainable development. For the environmental impact assessment to be effective, it should be based on delimitation of priority issues, as well as responses appropriate and necessary to the decision makers, in a process known as scoping. The main objective of the EIA scoping is define the studies considered suitable for the correct evaluation of potentially significant impacts related to a project, directed by the preliminary diagnosis of their areas of influence. Considering the need to evaluate the effectiveness of this step within the overall framework of the EIA carried, the aim of this study was to evaluate de scoping phase in environmental impact statement of Environmental Impact Assessment processes occurred in São Paulo State, under the current regulation and based on best practices recommended for this instrument. The study evaluated 34 environmental licensing process which were proceed through the Secretary of Environment of the São Paulo State (Secretaria de Meio Ambiente do Estado de São Paulo - SMA/CETESB), with different development typologies. The results obtained showed that the structure recommended for the scoping in the São Paulo State, although it is potentially different than the other states in Brazil, it hasnt ensured the elaboration of Terms of Reference concise and focused on significant impacts of the projects, with few contribution to the effectiveness of environmental impact assessment.