Practising Environmental Assessment Overseas: Experience and Lessons Learned

Abstract

Performing Environmental Assessments in developing nations can present significant challenges beyond those encountered when applying Canadian EA systems and standards to projects in Canada. In this respect, it is useful to explore the answers to two questions:

• What are some of the challenges of practising EA to Canadian standards in a developing country? and,
• Despite these challenges, what can be accomplished to accrue the greatest benefits from an EA for an energy project in a developing nation?

This paper explores some of the main components that are common to EA processes and practice in Canada for energy projects, but which can present significant complications and challenges when practised in a developing nation setting. Lessons are drawn from experience in Southeast Asia and elsewhere to assist in future EA planning for energy projects in developing nations.

Addressed are such key aspects of EA as 1) timing and resources of a study; 2) discussion of project alternatives; 3) institutional arrangements; 4) carrying out public consultation and socioeconomic impact studies; and finally, 5) some perspective on what can be accomplished to accrue the greatest benefits from an EA.

Experience with the Bakun Hydroelectric Project in Southeast Asia and elsewhere identifies a number of constraints which challenge EA practice in developing nations. These challenges include:

• narrow windows of "quality time" for carrying out EA studies within project life-cycles
• limitations imposed on the scope of discussion of alternatives; and,
• carrying out public consultation in foreign nations with languages, cultures and political systems different from our own.

However, despite these challenges, it was found that very useful EAs can be produced for energy projects in developing nations through:

• persistent coordination of effort and use of the project to facilitate communication links between agencies within the developing nation;
• using advanced communication technologies to access external information resources; and,
• promoting awareness of the utility of the EA for environmental management and due diligence during the full life cycle of the project.