EIA implementation and follow up has been recognized as one of the most critical processes of impact assessment in achieving its outcomes. In general terms ‘follow-up’ refers to ‘post-decision processes’ a crucial part of which is ensuring that recommendations and commitments made through the EIA process are actually implemented. There are many tools that can support this implementation process, including environmental management systems (EMS) and many other related sustainability management tools such as HSE-MS, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), and Sustainability Reporting in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), to name just a few. Dozens of national, sectoral and international standards, guidelines etc. have been developed to inform such processes and these are widely used. While considerable efforts and investments are made in both EIA and EMS, a lack of integration of these activities contributes to suboptimal environmental outcomes and a failure to realize the potential of these well-established environmental management tools.

This intermediate two-day training course focuses on strengthening the linkage between EIA and EMS throughout the life cycle of projects by improving communication, interaction and partnership between its multiple role players. In the first module, a quick review of the pre-decision tools (conventional EIA) and post-decision tools (such as EMS/HSE-MS, the relevant international standards such as ISO 14001:2015 and ISO 45001:2018 etc.) will be provided. The second module will focus on how pre-decision EIA should be linked to such post decision management tools. Improving communication, interaction and partnership are the focus of the third module, in which the participants will practice identifying the role of other parties and when, how and on what key issues they should communicate with them. In the fourth and final module the well-known “HSE cultural maturity theory” and its relationship with the EIA implementation will be discussed. Participants themselves will try to develop ways of making the entire EIA/EMS a seamless, flexible process in a way that challenges the very notions of ‘pre-decision’ and ‘post-decision’.

This course is suitable for social practitioners.

Level: Intermediate

Prerequisites: Participants are expected to have an understanding of EIA processes and terminology, and some awareness about environmental management systems (EMS). Hence it would be beneficial if they had previously attended an introductory IAIA training course (e.g. "Understanding Impact Assessment"); or otherwise have had at least a year of work experience as a consultant, proponent or regulator within an EIA system, or be in the position of implementing an EMS or health, safety and environmental (HSE) management system (e.g. as an HSE officer, auditor etc.) in an active industry or ongoing project, or be a student with at least 6 months taught or research experience of some aspect of EIA / HSE-MS. A particular interest in EIA implementation and follow up as well as implementing EMS / HSE-MS is obviously desirable.

Language: English

Duration: 2 days (6-7 May)

Min/Max: 10-30

Price: US$480

Instructors: Jenny Pope, Director, Integral Sustainability (Australia); Behzad Raissiyan, Environmental Planning and Governance Advisor (Iran)

Jenny Pope

Jenny Pope has presented or co-presented training courses at numerous IAIA conferences, including 2006 (sustainability assessment), 2007 (sustainability assessment), 2009 (EIA follow-up and sustainability assessment), 2010 (multi-criteria analysis), 2016 (sustainability assessment).

Behzad Raissiyan

Behzad Raissiyan has presented a similar training course for IAIA22 for the first time. He has an excellent training record in the fields of both EIA and EMS/HSE MS. He is considered a well-known instructor in these fields in his own country, Iran, with some training experience in international context.