Class Fundamentals of environmental impact assessment

The curricular unit Fundamentals of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) introduces students to the role of EIA as a key tool for promoting sustainable development and for integrating environmental considerations into decision-making processes. The course explores EIA as a space of interaction between science, planning, public policy and society, highlighting its relevance in anticipating risks, preventing negative impacts and improving the overall quality of projects. Throughout the course, students are encouraged to reflect on the complexity of environmental and territorial systems, as well as on the challenges associated with impact assessment in real-world contexts, often marked by uncertainty, multiple stakeholders and different spatial and temporal scales. This approach aims to foster an integrated and critical perspective on EIA, preparing students to understand its effective contribution to more informed, transparent and sustainable decisions.

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1. Framework of the theme. Impact Assessment's importance of projects as a preventive and decision support tool 2. Legal Framework 3. Main Impact Assessment's Products 4. Phases of the IA process 5. Environmental Impact Studies: Structure and Content 6. Public Participation 7. Impact assessment methodologies 8. Minimization, compensation and monitoring programs 9. Discussion of case studies: impacts induced by different project typologies according to their characteristics. Scope definition. Environmental factors of major and minor significance. Minimization / compensation measures, monitoring programs.

Expository / interrogative method; development of individual / group works and challenges using bibliographic research and internet, for the application and amplification of acquired knowledge, consultation of EISs, public participation stimulating debate, reflection, innovation, and creativity. Use of active learning methodologies, namely: Case Study Analysis; Brainstorming; Role Play, Mentimeter, Flipped Learning, Mind Maps, Systemic Thinking, privileging the 4 C's of Education (Collaboration, Communication, Critical Thinking, Creativity).

Legislação aplicável   IAIA - International Association for Impact Assessment / IEA - Institute of Environmental Assessment 1999 Environmental Impact Assessment Best Practice Principles. Fargo, USA: International Association for Impact Assessment (disponível em www.iaia.org). Tradução portuguesa disponível em www.redeimpactos.or APAI (Associação Portuguesa de Avaliação de Impactes) (2008). Critérios de Boa Prática para o RNT. Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente. https://www.ccdr-lvt.pt/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/criterios_RNT.pdf Canter, L. W. (2006). Environmental Impact Assessment. McGraw-Hill Education (ISE Editions). Miller, G.T. & Spoolman, E.S. (2021). Living in the Environment. Cengage. www.cengage.com Consulta de Estudos de Impacte Ambiental, Resumos Não Técnicos e Declarações de Impacte Ambiental de projetos em avaliação ou sujeitos a avaliação. Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente. (2022, setembro 21). www.apambiente.pt Agência Europeia do Ambiente. (2022, setembro 21). www.eea.europa.eu/