Subject: Environmental Studies

Department: BBA/B.Com (H)

Created By : Dr. Shiv Kumar

JIMS Engineering Management Technical Campus

Affiliated to GGSIPU, New Delhi Approved by AICTE, NCTE & BAR Council of India
48/4, Knowledge Park III, Greater Noida

Dr. Shiv Kumar

Subject: Environmental Studies
Topic: Environmental Impact Assessment & EMS

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Environmental Impact Assessment

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is the process of

examining the anticipated environmental effects of a proposed
project - from consideration of environmental aspects at design
stage, through consultation and preparation of an Environmental
Impact Assessment Report (EIAR), evaluation of the EIAR by a
competent authority, the subsequent decision as to whether the
project should be permitted to proceed, encompassing public
response to that decision.

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UNEP defines Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) as a tool
used to identify the environmental, social and economic impacts
of a project prior to decision-making. It aims to predict
environmental impacts at an early stage in project planning and
design, find ways and means to reduce adverse impacts, shape
projects to suit the local environment and present the predictions
and options to decision-makers.
Environment Impact Assessment in India is statutorily backed
by the Environment Protection Act, 1986 which contains
various provisions on EIA methodology and process.

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History of EIA in India

The Indian experience with Environmental Impact Assessment

began over 20 years back. It started in 1976-77 when the
Planning Commission asked the Department of Science and
Technology to examine the river-valley projects from an
environmental angle.
Till 1994, environmental clearance from the Central Government
was an administrative decision and lacked legislative support.

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On 27 January 1994, the then Union Ministry of Environment and
Forests, under the Environmental (Protection) Act 1986,
promulgated an EIA notification making Environmental Clearance
(EC) mandatory for expansion or modernization of any activity or
for setting up new projects listed in Schedule 1 of the notification.
The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change
(MoEFCC) notified new EIA legislation in September 2006.

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The notification makes it mandatory for various projects such
as mining, thermal power plants, river valley, infrastructure
(road, highway, ports, harbors and airports) and industries
including very small electroplating or foundry units to get
environment clearance.
However, unlike the EIA Notification of 1994, the new legislation
has put the onus of clearing projects on the state
government depending on the size/capacity of the project.

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The EIA Process

EIA involves the steps mentioned below. However, the EIA process is
cyclical with interaction between the various steps.

Screening: The project plan is screened for scale of investment, location

and type of development and if the project needs statutory clearance.

Scoping: The project’s potential impacts, zone of impacts, mitigation

possibilities and need for monitoring.

Collection of baseline data: Baseline data is the environmental status of

study area.

Impact prediction: Positive and negative, reversible and irreversible

and temporary and permanent impacts need to be predicted which
presupposes a good understanding of the project by the assessment
agency.
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Screening: The project plan is screened for scale of investment,
location and type of development and if the project needs
statutory clearance.
Scoping: The project’s potential impacts, zone of impacts,
mitigation possibilities and need for monitoring.
Collection of baseline data: Baseline data is the environmental
status of study area.
Impact prediction: Positive and negative, reversible and
irreversible and temporary and permanent impacts need to be
predicted which presupposes a good understanding of the project
by the assessment agency.
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 Monitoring and implementation of environmental
management plan: The various phases of implementation of
the project are monitored.
 Assessment of Alternatives, Delineation of Mitigation
Measures and Environmental Impact Assessment
Report: For every project, possible alternatives should be
identified, and environmental attributes compared.
Alternatives should cover both project location and process
technologies.

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Once alternatives have been reviewed, a mitigation plan should
be drawn up for the selected option and is supplemented with
an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) to guide the
proponent towards environmental improvements.
Risk assessment: Inventory analysis and hazard probability
and index also form part of EIA procedures.

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Dr. Shiv Kumar
Importance of EIA

 EIA links environment with development for environmentally

safe and sustainable development.
 EIA provides a cost effective method to eliminate or minimize
the adverse impact of developmental projects.
 EIA enables the decision makers to analyse the effect of
developmental activities on the environment well before the
developmental project is implemented.
 EIA encourages the adaptation of mitigation strategies in the
developmental plan.
 EIA makes sure that the developmental plan is
environmentally sound and within the limits of the capacity
of assimilation and regeneration of the ecosystem. Dr. Shiv Kumar
An environmental management system (EMS) is "a system and
database which integrates procedures and processes for training
of personnel, monitoring, summarizing, and reporting of
specialized environmental performance information to internal
and external stakeholders of a firm".
The most widely used standard on which an EMS is based
is International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
14001. Alternatives include the EMAS.
An environmental management information system (EMIS) or
Environmental Data Management System (EDMS) is
an information technology solution for tracking environmental
data for a company as part of their overall environmental
management system. Dr. Shiv Kumar
Goals

The goals of EMS are to increase compliance and reduce waste:

 Compliance is the act of reaching and maintaining minimal legal
standards. By not being compliant, companies may face fines,
government intervention or may not be able to operate.
 Waste reduction goes beyond compliance to reduce environmental
impact. The EMS helps to develop, implement, manage, coordinate
and monitor environmental policies. Waste reduction begins at the
design phase through pollution prevention and waste minimization.
At the end of the life cycle, waste is reduced by recycling.

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 To meet these goals, the selection of environmental management
systems is typically subject to a certain set of criteria: a proven
capability to handle high frequency data, high performance
indicators, transparent handling and processing of data, powerful
calculation engine, customized factor handling, multiple integration
capabilities, automation of workflows and QA processes and in-
depth, flexible reporting.
 An environmental management system (EMS):
 Serves as a tool, or process, to improve environmental performance
and information mainly "design, pollution control and waste
minimization, training, reporting to top management, and the setting
of goals"
 Provides a systematic way of managing an organization's
environmental affairs
 Is the aspect of the organization's overall management structure that
addresses immediate and long-term impacts of its products, services
and processes on the environment. EMS assists with planning,
controlling and monitoring policies in an organization.
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 Gives order and consistency for organizations to address
environmental concerns through the allocation of resources,
assignment of responsibility and ongoing evaluation of practices,
procedures and processes
 Creates environmental buy-in from management and employees and
assigns accountability and responsibility.
 Sets framework for training to achieve objectives and desired
performance.
 Helps understand legislative requirements to better determine a
product or service's impact, significance, priorities and objectives.

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 Focuses on continual improvement of the system and a way to
implement policies and objectives to meet a desired result. This also
helps with reviewing and auditing the EMS to find future
opportunities.
 Encourages contractors and suppliers to establish their own EMS.
 Facilitates e-reporting to federal, state and provincial government
environmental agencies through direct upload

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Topic for Next Lecture

Introduction to Environmental Laws

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Thank You !!

Dr. Shiv Kumar