Environmental Assessment for Managers

In recent decades, Environmental Assessment (EA) has emerged as one of the key environmental law mechanisms. The essence of EA is that information about likely environmental impacts of development projects, and now also plans and programmes, is properly considered before potentially harmful decisions are made. This course looks at the practicalities of complying with the law, and the questions to consider when conducting or analysing environmental assessments

To provide learners with an overview of the techniques involved in Environmental Assessment and an appreciation of the legal and practical context in which it applies. Skills learnt are then transferable to the workplace.

On completion of this course, delegates will be able to:

• Define EA, EIA and SEA and distinguish between them
• Determine which type of assessment to apply to any particular project
• Demonstrate understanding of aspects and impacts by completing an aspects and impacts register
• Be able to evaluate how EA is used in practice
• Discuss topical projects, introducing relevant and current examples and precedents
• Appreciate the issues and challenges in using law to protect the environment

• Introduction to EA
• Is the project subject to EA?
• Significant effects - thresholds and discretion in decision making
• Exemptions from EA
• The Environmental Statement
• Determining EA applications - weighing up environmental information

The training session is interactive, with group discussions and workshop activities.

• Initial assessment
• Interactive exercises
• Individual or group exercises
• Discussion
• DVD
• Open workshop
• Summary of learning
• Final Assessment

Learners attending this course will enjoy a busy but enjoyable session drawing on studies of the latest projects to gain a good foundation in this aspect of environmental law.

Planners, Architects, Developers and Project Managers will all gain from this course.

Learners will need to:

Complete a pre-course questionnaire