In order to make decisions to approve filling stations, an environmental impact assessment (EIA) needs to be conducted and evaluated by the competent authority. Although numerous filling stations have been authorised for operation, the quality of the EIA reports that form the basis for decision making has never been evaluated. The evaluation of the quality of EIA reports on filling station developments by means of an adapted Lee–Colley review package formed the basis of this research. The main conclusion was that the quality of the EIA reports for filling station developments, as reviewed by the adapted review package, is generally of a poor standard. This means that a decision to approve a new filling station is generally based on just enough information to the competent authority. The main deficiencies in the EIA reports related to site description, cumulative impacts and mitigation measures, while the environment description, identification of impacts, scoping of impacts, assessment of impact significance and emphasis (impacts) in the reports were of good quality. The results from the reviewed EIA’s correspond mostly with the literature on the review of EIA reports. / Thesis (M. Environmental Management)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

On 18 June 2010 new NEMA 2010 EIA Regulations were promulgated and came into effect on 2 August 2010 in order to improve the effectiveness of EIA. The question of effectiveness, therefore still remains. The quality of EIRs under the 1997 regulations in South Africa has been researched, although not as extensively as in other parts of the world. It was concluded that the quality of EIRs in South Africa are generally satisfactory, although a number of problems were identified, e.g. timing of the EIA, the identification of activities which require authorization or not, the consideration of alternatives, the absence of any time limits, the absence of requirements for monitoring and enforcing compliance, and objectivity. The National Environmental Management Act (NEMA), (Act no 107, 1998) was amended and new regulations promulgated in 2006. No research has been published regarding the quality of EIRs produced in South Africa under the 2006 regulations. Since it was the intent of the new regulations to improve EIA effectiveness, it is necessary that the quality of EIRs produced under the new EIA system be investigated. As in the other studies in South Africa, the Lee and Colley review model was used as basis for the comparative analysis of the EIRs before and after 2006. A sample of 26 EIRs, 11 under the 1997 EIA system and 15 under the 2006 EIA system, obtained from the then Impact Assessment Directorate of the National Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) archives in Pretoria were reviewed. The main conclusions were that the majority of the EIRs under the 1997 system were of an acceptable standard and that the overall quality of the EIRs did not improve after the promulgation of the 2006 regulations. The descriptive and presentational parts of the EIRs were more satisfactorily addressed, while the analytical parts such as impact significance were addressed less satisfactorily. EIR quality appears to be on par with international standards, but there are areas of distinct weaknesses. As the 2006 EIRs included some of the first EIRs conducted under the new regulations, there is potential for the quality to improve over time. However, the areas that still need attention are the identification and evaluation of impacts, impact magnitude and monitoring programmes. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Geography and Environmental Management))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

In order to make decisions to approve filling stations, an environmental impact assessment (EIA) needs to be conducted and evaluated by the competent authority. Although numerous filling stations have been authorised for operation, the quality of the EIA reports that form the basis for decision making has never been evaluated. The evaluation of the quality of EIA reports on filling station developments by means of an adapted Lee–Colley review package formed the basis of this research. The main conclusion was that the quality of the EIA reports for filling station developments, as reviewed by the adapted review package, is generally of a poor standard. This means that a decision to approve a new filling station is generally based on just enough information to the competent authority. The main deficiencies in the EIA reports related to site description, cumulative impacts and mitigation measures, while the environment description, identification of impacts, scoping of impacts, assessment of impact significance and emphasis (impacts) in the reports were of good quality. The results from the reviewed EIA’s correspond mostly with the literature on the review of EIA reports. / Thesis (M. Environmental Management)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

Thesis (M.Env.St.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Geographical and Environmental Studies, 2001. / Bibliography: leaves 85-91.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 1997. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 217-247).

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T20:01:03Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DissCMM.pdf: 1152867 bytes, checksum: 285bcaac4403e13affd7a9ae146f523c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005-10-26 / This work intented to realize a study about the situation of process of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in São Paulo State, with emphasis in the monitoring pos-EIS (Environmental Impact Statment) phase, that it is essencial for the efficiency and efficacy of EIA. The purpose was to evaluate the frequency that the monitoring is realized, which are the methods used, what the efficiency, the negative points and the difficults to execution of this system. For that, it was realized a bibliography revision about national and internacional practices of EIA, with research at libraries of Secretaria de Meio Ambiente do Estado de São Paulo (SMA), Companhia Estadual de Saneamento Ambiental (CETESB), Departamento de Avaliação de Impacto Ambiental (DAIA) and USP, and researches on data base. It were made interviews with technicals directors of DAIA/SMA and was also elaborated a questioner, that approach some points of EIA practices in São Paulo State. This questioner was sent to professionals of area. The results evidenced that despite of monitoring pos-EIS is very impotant in the context of EIA, it is not executed in the most of the cases. Many failures are pointed out in the process, which results in the non aplication of monitoring pos-EIS. The lack of engagement with the environmental quality and the sustainability, the lack of structure in the environmental agencies, the bureaucratic and consequent slowness of the process, the little participation of community, the difficulty in getting material about the topic, and others are some of factors mentioned. If the procedure were not improved, for assure the accomplishment of terms and commitments defined, as well as the learning with mistakes and the rights of each case, a powerfull instrument of Environmental Policy would be discredited and turn on in one of numerous bureaucratic obstacles that difficult the access on natural resourses of the country, but are not efficient to assure that the improvement happens in benefit of society. / Este trabalho teve como objetivo realizar um estudo da situação do processo de Avaliação de Impacto Ambiental (AIA) no estado de São Paulo, enfatizando a fase de monitoramento pós-Estudo de Impacto Ambiental (EIA), que é essencial para a eficiência e eficácia da AIA. Pretendeu-se avaliar com que freqüência o monitoramento é realizado, quais os métodos utilizados para sua realização, qual sua eficiência, seus pontos falhos e quais as dificuldades de operacionalização deste sistema. Para tanto, foi realizada uma revisão bibliográfica sobre práticas nacionais e internacionais de AIA, com consultas às bibliotecas da Secretaria de Meio Ambiente (SMA), Companhia Estadual de Tecnologia de Saneamento Ambiental (CETESB), Departamento de Avaliação de Impacto Ambiental (DAIA) e da USP e pesquisas em banco de dados. Foram feitas entrevistas com diretores técnicos do DAIA/SMA e também foi elaborado um questionário, que aborda alguns pontos de práticas de AIA no Estado de São Paulo. Este questionário foi enviado para profissionais da área. Como resultado, foi constatado que, apesar de muito importante no contexto da AIA, o monitoramento pós-EIA não é praticado na maioria dos casos. Muitas são as falhas apontadas no processo, que acabam culminando na não aplicação do monitoramento pós-EIA. A falta de comprometimento com a qualidade ambiental e a sustentabilidade, a falta de estrutura dos órgãos ambientais, a burocratização e conseqüente lentidão do processo, a baixa participação da sociedade, a dificuldade em se conseguir material sobre o assunto, entre outros, são alguns dos fatores mencionados. Se os procedimentos não forem aperfeiçoados, de modo a garantir o cumprimento dos termos e compromissos definidos, bem como o aprendizado com os erros e acertos de cada caso, um poderoso instrumento de política ambiental poderá ficar desacreditado e converter-se em apenas mais um dos já numerosos entraves burocráticos que dificultam o acesso aos recursos naturais do país, mas não são eficazes para assegurar que seu aproveitamento se dê em benefício da sociedade.

The overall aim of the case study was to investigate the effectiveness of EIAs in NMB and to determine whether EIA legislation and implementation can lead to the promotion of sustainable development practices. The research made use of the qualitative research methodology and followed the inductive approach by critically evaluating the EIA process in the NMBM using the case study approach. This was supported by a survey which was administered to willing participants chosen at random whose extensive experience is relevant to this research topic. Interviews involved direct personal contact with participants who were asked to respond to questions relating to the research study. The research sample consisted of eight participants. The local authority was represented by two participants, the Environmental Assessment Practitioners were represented by five participants and the Non-Governmental Organization was represented by 1 participant. The first objective of the study was to evaluate the role of government during the EIA process. The results showed that EAPs in NMB municipality are relatively satisfied with how the municipality is handling the EIA process with regards to commenting on both internal and external applications. There was however a view that most municipalities lack sufficient capacity to be able to comment on EIA applications as required by legislation and that human resource issues were one of the contributing factors where skills are concerned. The second objective of the study was to examine and evaluate the role of civil society and NGOs during the EIA process. The results showed that NGOs are quite vocal and very much involved in driving the sustainable development agenda and that in South Africa NGOs are usually the ones that are responsible for getting the message across in the form of environmental education and awareness through the translation of environmental knowledge into practical on the ground conservation. 4 The third objective of the study was to analyze the responsibilities of Environmental Assessment Practitioners (EAPs) in the EIA process. The EAPs had a very good knowledge of the EIA process and what was required of them in terms of the process. The fourth objective was to evaluate compliance to the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) by the applicant once Environmental Authorisation (EA) has been granted by the responsible authority. The results showed that all the participants were in agreement in terms of the need for EMPs but their lack of enforcement was highlighted as a very serious problem which is in need of urgent attention sooner rather than later. It was also highlighted that EMPs were generally not adhered to due to their lack of legal status and that many developers viewed EMPs as guideline documents rather than something that has legally enforceable provisions. The study concluded that EIAs are not effective in meeting the requirements of NEMA and promoting sustainable development agenda. The IEM planning process which has largely been focused on EIAs as a tool to support decision-making by specialists and hence promote sustainable development has its weaknesses and has not been successful in driving the sustainable development agenda in Nelson Mandela Bay

According to Swedish law municipalities have to assess if detailed development plans may lead to a significant effect on the environment, a screening. In this the- sis  we have investigated how municipalities present their assessment in the de- tailed development plan brief. We have examined all plans that came into legal force in 2012 in the county of Stockholm 259 plans in total. Of all the plans, 223 include a screening in the detailed development plan brief. We have studied the municipalities explanations, why they make a screening on detailed development plans, if the municipalities provide a statement whether a significant environmental impact may occur or not, and if the municipalities justi- fied their statement. Furthermore, we have studied whether municipalities state that consultations have taken place and if they refers to environment-related doc- uments in their screening. We also have classified the explanation and the justifi- cations as clear or unclear. Finally, we investigated what impact the acreage of the plan has on the screening. Almost all plans with a screening in the detailed development plan brief make statement. About a quarter of the plans making a statement lacks justifications. For more than half of the plans with statement and justification, the justification is unclear. We have observed that plans prepared in a simplified way have poorer screenings. Furthermore, the result implies that the quality of screenings is higher for plans concerning national interest and/or shore protection and for plans primarily con- cerning green land. We can see that the number of plans that may lead to signifi- cant environmental effects increases with larger plan areas, as does the amount of clear justifications. Out of all plans, only 3.5 percent was considered being able to cause such a significant effect on the environment that an environmental impact assessment was conducted. Finally, we suggest a law enforcement that the screenings must be presented in the detailed development plan brief. Additionally, we think that the legislation con- cerning screenings has to be clearer, simpler and more specific. / Vi tycker slutligen att det ska lagstadgas att kommuners bedömning av detaljpla- ners miljöpåverkan ska redovisas i planbeskrivningen. Vidare anser vi att lagtex- ten på området måste förtydligas, bli mer specifik och förenklas. Enligt gällande rätt ska kommuner göra en bedömning av om planer kan medföra betydande miljöpåverkan, en så kallad behovsbedömning. I detta examensarbete har  undersökts  hur  kommuner  redovisar  sin  bedömning  i  planbeskrivningen. Samtliga detaljplaner som vann laga kraft år 2012 i Stockholms län studerats, to- talt 259 planer. Av samtliga planer har 223 stycken en behovsbedömning i plan- beskrivningen. Vi har studerat om kommunerna förklarar varför de behovsbedömer detaljplaner, om kommunerna gjort ett ställningstagande till om en betydande miljöpåverkan kan uppkomma och om kommunerna motiverat sina ställningstaganden med skäl. Vidare har studerats om kommunerna redovisat att samråd enligt förordningen om miljökonsekvensbeskrivningar ägt rum och om kommunerna hänvisar till miljöre- laterade dokument i bedömningen. Vi har även klassat förklaringen och skälen som tydliga respektive otydliga. Därtill har vi studerat hur planområdenas storlek påverkar behovsbedömningen. Nästan alla planer med en behovsbedömning i planbeskrivningen har ett ställ- ningstagande. Cirka en fjärdedel av planerna med ställningstagande saknar skäl och mer än hälften av planerna med skäl har otydliga skäl. Vi har observerat att planer som upprättas med enkelt planförfarande har behovs- bedömningar av lägre kvalité. Vidare talar resultatet för att kommunerna genom- för  behovsbedömningarna bättre när planer berör riksintresse och/eller strand- skydd samt när planer främst avser grönmark. Vi kan se en ökning av antal miljö- bedömningar och andelen tydliga skäl ju större planareorna blir. Av samtliga pla- ner ansågs endast 3,5 procent kunna medföra en betydande miljöpåverkan.

The gold mining industry pollutes both water and air resources in numerous ways. Of these, air pollution from greenhouse gasses inducing climate change poses the highest threat to human existence, with water scarcity as a result of pollution presenting the third highest risk (Mathews, 2007; Akorede et al., 2012; Jones et al., 1988). Water pollution, indirect air pollution and direct air pollution should be mitigated for sustainable gold mining. Environmental impact reduction is achieved by the implementation of effective Environmental Management Systems (EMSs). These systems aim to achieve ISO 14001-compliance by setting targets and implementing a systematic approach to achieving these targets. However, ISO 14001-compliant systems do not ensure environmental impact reduction and give the mine no competitive edge (Hilson & Nayee, 2002). EMSs available are too generic for implementation on gold mines. Reporting on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) on gold mines should also be improved as it is unclear exactly what values should be reported on. This is due to a general lack of an environmental reporting standard (Jones, 2010). Manpower and expertise to identify and implement projects is limited and the mines need assistance with the implementation of projects to effect resource pollution. Priority for the mines is an emphasis on production and safety rather than environmental impact reduction, so implementing projects to reduce pollution is often neglected. A novel sustainability framework is developed in this study. In this framework a database of electricity- and environmental impact reduction projects is created that can be implemented in the gold mining industry. Projects are automatically identified by monitoring key operational indicators. By involving a third party in the form of an Energy Services Company (ESCO), project funding for these sustainability projects can be attained. This novel approach to environmental impact reduction creates a situation where ESCOs implement these EMSs at a reduced cost to the mines. This reduces the cost of lowering the mine’s environmental impact, while aiding the ESCO in identifying sustainability projects. KPIs from various studies are consolidated to determine exactly what values should be reported on. These values are incorporated into a successful EMS. This allows the availability of all the necessary data for reporting to the Department of Energy (DoE) and the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI) on electricity-savings. Projects are prioritised based on an integrated electricity- and environmental impact reduction payback approach. This approach allows funding options to be assessed for each project individually, based on both electricity- and environmental impact reduction advantages. This allowed the best funding option for each individual project to be determined. Automatic identification of these projects reduces the required manpower and resources to implement sustainability projects. Projects proposed by this study showed a combined energy efficiency reduction of 11.8 MW and achieved a load shift of 15.6 MW. In addition to electricity reduction, these projects also reduced the water usage by 1135 Ml per annum and the carbon dioxide equivalent production by 214 205 ton per annum. The proposed projects were effective at increasing the sustainability of gold mining. It also streamlined the implementation of these projects on gold mines. By applying this framework, sustainability improvements can now be achieved on gold mines worldwide. / PhD (Mechanical Engineering), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Public participation is an integral part of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process, as it provides opportunities for interested and affected parties (I&APs) to participate in the decision making process. The objective of public participation is to accomplish social and environmental justice and to promote informed decision making. Concern however exists that public participation is seen and implemented as a rigid “one size fits all” process and that the inputs by I&APs are limited to the pre-authorisation phases i.e. the I&APs are not involved in the environmental management of the full life cycle of the activity. The problem appears to stem from the fact that the implementation of the public participation process is associated with a number of shortcomings and may be seen as a paper exercise to satisfy the requirements of the National Environmental Management Act. The aim of the research is to determine the effectiveness of public participation in EIA processes, using a group of selected South African case studies. A structured, survey-based research study was conducted with I&APs, environmental assessment practitioners (EAPs) and officials from relevant decision making bodies (competent authorities). The main aim of the research has been achieved and all research objectives answered. The study concludes that public participation in EIA processes is not purely a paper exercise, but does in fact enhance decision making. However, there are widespread concerns regarding the selection of alternatives and the alignment of public participation processes in other environmental assessments. / M (Environmental Management), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015