ENVS 3610: Environmental Impact Assessment: Global and Local Views

This report provides a comprehensive overview of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), beginning with its historical roots in the USA, specifically the NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) of 1969. It details the requirements of NEPA, including Environmental Assessments (EA) and Environmental Impact Statements (EIS), and highlights relevant legislation and web resources. The report then shifts to an international perspective, focusing on the Rio Declaration and the role of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in establishing EIA best practices and strategies, while also acknowledging the major constraints in EIA implementation. A case study of EIA in the People's Republic of China is presented, highlighting its legal framework and enforcement challenges. Finally, the report examines EIA in Singapore, emphasizing its planning-based approach, the absence of a mandatory EIA system, and the use of Development Guide Plans (DGPs) and Environmental Baseline Studies (EBS) in environmental management. It concludes by discussing the dispersion of EIA across various Acts in Singapore and the factors contributing to its success.