Benchmarking performance: Environmental impact statements in Egypt

Journal Article · Fri Apr 15 04:00:00 EDT 2011 · Environmental Impact Assessment Review

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eiar.2010.10.004· OSTI ID:21499674

Cashmore, Matthew ^[1]

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1. InteREAM, School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7TJ (United Kingdom)

Environmental impact assessment (EIA) was formally introduced in Egypt in 1994. This short paper evaluates 'how well' the EIA process is working in practice in Egypt, by reviewing the quality of 45 environmental impact statements (EISs) produced between 2000 and 2007 for a variety of project types. The Lee and Colley review package was used to assess the quality of the selected EISs. About 69% of the EISs sampled were found to be of a satisfactory quality. An assessment of the performance of different elements of the EIA process indicates that descriptive tasks tend to be performed better than scientific tasks. The quality of core elements of EIA (e.g., impact prediction, significance evaluation, scoping and consideration of alternatives) appears to be particularly problematic. Variables that influence the quality of EISs are identified and a number of broad recommendations are made for improving the effectiveness of the EIA system.

• OSTI ID: 21499674
• Journal Information: Environmental Impact Assessment Review, Journal Name: Environmental Impact Assessment Review Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 31; ISSN 0195-9255; ISSN EIARDK
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AFRICA
ARAB COUNTRIES
CONTROL
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
DOCUMENT TYPES
EGYPTIAN ARAB REPUBLIC
ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
EVALUATION
FORECASTING
MIDDLE EAST
PERFORMANCE
PUBLIC OPINION
QUALITY CONTROL
RECOMMENDATIONS
RESOURCE ASSESSMENT