Environmental impact assessment (EIA) is a key skill for environmental scientists, and forms the bulk of work undertaken by consultancy companies which employ many of our environmental science graduates. The module also provides a synthesis for environmental science students, in which it is made clear how their various modules in chemistry and biology are each relevant to the work of the environmental science practitioner. As EIA is linked to spatial planning, it is also of relevance to geography students. EIA is a process undertaken by many companies when they wish to establish to establish or expand, and is therefore of relevance to business students with an interest in environment.

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) definition and purpose, genesis and development both present and likely future; relevant EU Directives and national legislation; stages in the implementation of EIA; monitoring and auditing; Impact Statement (EIS) review and the role of EIA in planning; cases in EIA, strategic environmental assessment (SEA) Directive, purpose and stages. The specific UN SDGs addressed in this module are Goal 3-Good Health and Well-Being, Goal 9-Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, Goal 10-Reduced Inequalities, Goal 12-Responsible Consumption and Production, Goal 13-Climate Action.

On successful completion of this module the student will be able to: • Define EIA and demonstrate an understanding of its purpose • Discuss and evaluate relevant EU Directives and Irish legislation • Evaluate the stages in the implementation of EIA: methods for screening, scoping, impact identification and evaluation, review, monitoring and post development auditing • Review EIA and EIS • Define and evaluate SEA, its purpose and methods

On successful completion of this module, students will 1. appreciate the differences amongst legitimate stakeholder views in relation environmental impact assessment. 2. appreciate the role of the scientist in environmental impact assessment.

On successful completion of this module, students will 1. develop skills in technical report writing 2. develop skills in the evaluation and interpretation of data. 3. develop skills in figure drawing and interpretation. 4. identify and use efficiently reliable sources of information in written and electronic.

This module takes students through the EIA process from its origins to the first EU EIA Directive to current policy in this area. EIA process is gone through on a step by step basis while examining both the purpose of each step as well as the methods for these steps. These involve allocation of resources which link to Sustainability, trade-offs between economic development and environmental degradation, a well as sustainable use of non-renewable and renewable resources. The SEA Directive is evaluated as it provides a broader opportunity to focus on sustainability and the need for holistic and integrated planning in development. In relation to sustainability, objectives and outcomes of research develop significantly over very short time-frames, and each year novel policies and actions are described in government and other agency reports actions. Within a very dynamic situation, care is taken to ensure lectures and readings provide up to date information. On a weekly basis links to relevant information and reports are sent to students. A set of recorded lectures with notes are available to students from the start of the semester, which provide guidance to the structure of the module, key concepts and technical terms and selected key information sources, together with a full explanation of assessment instruments adopted. Timetabled classes provide additional insights into previous actions to enhance sustainability and especially a guide to current research in EIA policy and practice. Class time also includes discussion and debate, which include an opportunity for students to debate issues of interest and relevance to EIA. Sets of photographs and links to videos are used to show and explain issues experienced in enhancing sustainability in EIA for example, ensuring climate change is considered at each step. The module is assessed using coursework which consists of a report on a topical issue in environmental impact assessment and an end of semester examination. The teaching methods here ensure that the desired attributes of University of Limerick students, in particular the students will be: knowledgeable, articulate, proactive, responsible and creative in EIA purpose and methods after completing this module.