Ensuring environmental impact assessment of proposed development projects

Environmental impact assessment (EIA) is an evaluation used to predict and address the likely environmental and social consequences of a proposed activity such as a development project. They are usually legally required and enforced. Using EIAs facilitates the rejection of socially and environmentally unacceptable development projects.

EIAs were first made a legal requirement of all large proposed development in the USA, and have since been used by other countries.