Environmental impact assessment

Slovak term: Slovenský termín

1. An assessment of the possible impact positive or negative that a proposed action or project may have on the natural environment (WHO 2009).
2. A systematic process to identify, predict and evaluate the environmental effects of proposed actions and projects. A broad definition of environment is adopted. Whenever necessary, social, cultural and health effects are considered as an integral part of EIA. Particular attention is given in EIA practice to preventing, mitigating and offsetting the significant adverse effects of proposed undertakings (UNEP 2002).
3. Acronym: EIA
4. See also : impact assessment

Explanation

The purpose of an EIA is to ensure that decision makers consider environmental impacts used to decided whether to proceed with the project. The International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA) defines an environmental impact assessment as "the process of identifying, predicting, evaluating and mitigating the biophysical, social, and other relevant effects of development proposals prior to major decisions being taken and commitments made." (WHO 2009)

References

• WHO (2009) Health impact assessment glossary: E-learning modules
• UNEP (2002) Environmental Impact Assessment Training Resource Manual, Second Edition

Links

• WHO — The Health and Environment Lexicon
• United Nations Multilingual Terminology Database (UNTERM)