An evaluation of the effectiveness of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process in zambia : a case of the Chilanga cement plant.
Date
2024
Authors
Mwelwa, Patricia
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The University of Zambia
Abstract
The study sought to evaluate the effectiveness of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in Zambia using the Chilanga plant as a case study. The objectives of the study were to evaluate the quality of the EIA process conducted at Chilanga plant against international EIA standards; assess the extent to which environmental mitigation measures identified in the EIA report for Chilanga plant have contributed to the reduction of environmental problems emanating from the plant; and to examine the extent to the affected public participated in the EIA process of the Chilanga Cement plant. The research embraced qualitative methods because it provided a deep understanding of the responses, moreover, this allowed for triangulation of results (Creswell, 2007). Within this framework an embedded research design was adopted in which the researcher collected and analysed both types of data at the same time. The qualitative data was embedded in the quantitative data in the interpretation of the overall results. The study used the Lee and Colley review package to analyse the effectiveness of EIA at Chilanga Cement plant throughout the entire cycle of the process focusing on the prediction and mitigation of impacts, public participation, monitoring and follow-up, and to assess the strengths and weaknesses of EIA in Zambia based on feedback from a variety of stakeholders involved in the process and to identify gaps and or factors which limit effectiveness. This was achieved through a critical review of existing literature and policy documents, from which the study drew concepts and ideas that informed the
proposed study. The key finding of the study showed that EIA is a well-established environmental management tool in Zambia. Nonetheless, the findings also indicate that there were inadequacies in the implementation process within the environmental sector. The inadequacies were particularly in areas relating description of the development, identification, evaluation and mitigation of key impacts, consideration of alternatives, and consultation and participation of the public.
Description
Thesis of Master of Science in Environment and Natural Resources Management.