TRAINING NEEDS FOR MORE EFFECTIVE USE OF EIA IN INDUSTRY AND DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

 

 

Dr.Peter Croal

Sr. Environment Specialist

Environmental Assessment and Compliance Unit Policy Branch

Canadian International Development Agency

12th Floor, 200 Promenade du Portage

Hull, Quebec, CANADA, K1A 0G4

Peter_Croal@acdi-cida.gc.ca

 

  

 

   Environmental assessment  (EA) is a well-known decision support tool that has been in practice for over 25 years. Over this time, a very active and credible EA training community has developed to meet the needs of those involved in the EA process.  Demand for EA training is not expected to diminish as developing countries and countries in transition enact their own EA legislation. However, the EA training needs of industry personnel, from the practitioner to senior management, have not been adequately met by the EA training community. Courses can be too theoretical and do not respect the practical hands-on needs of the respective industry. This paper discusses the current state of EA training with particular focus on industry and suggests directions that industry and EA trainers should go to ensure that EA becomes a well-respected business-support tool and not just a regulatory requirement that taxes internal industry resources or is viewed a threat to the success of the project.

 

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