Course objectives

To learn how to frame an environmental impact assessment in a development context and in a tropical zone.

Course contents

• Principles and functions of environmental impact assessment (EIA): Definitions and typology of impacts / the EIA procedure / structure and function of an EIA report / impact assessment tools / compliance with texts and directives, TOR, assessment criteria / History & world situation - the EIA framework in France - World Bank directives / EIA & project cycle.
• Case studies (presentation by professionals, films, document analysis
• EIA and public participation
• Exercise in rapid assessment of an EIA
• EIA tools and resource centres, with application to forestry projects (World Bank Guidelines, AfDB, EBA ...)
• Exercise in framing an EIA (2 days)

Teaching and learning methods

• Lectures and tutorials based on numerous examples.
• Exercise to frame an EIA in small groups with feedback (2 days).
• Discussion and round table on the EIA exercise with professionals.

Course evaluation

Evaluation of the EIA framing exercise in student groups.

Target skills

To know the principles and functions of EIA, to know how to draw up the framework of an environmental impact study in a tropical environment, to know how to evaluate the quality of an EIA.