Class Environmental Impact Assessment

This curricular unit will provide students with knowledge and tools to participate in processes of two of the most relevant instruments of the preventive environmental policy: the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), allowing them to acquire the following skills:   >> Understand the differences between EIA and SEA. >> Understand and analyze the impacts and effects of human activities and the need to minimize them. >> Understand the importance of multidisciplinarity in EIA and SEA teams. >> Acquire knowledge and master tools to propose measures to minimize risks or maximize project (EIA) or policies, plans and programs (SEA) opportunities. >> Understand the relevance of stakeholder's participation in the EIA and SEA processes. >> Fostering entrepreneurship in the EIA and SEA processes. >> Understand the importance of professional ethics in EIA and SEA.

Not applicable

Presentation, Assessment Method and Introduction to the Curricular Unit Introduction to Environmental Assessment Historic evolution Principles and objectives Fundamental concepts Legal and institutional framework Procedures and Methods in Environmental Assessment Procedural Aspects Methodological Approaches  Public Participation Principles and objectives Participation methods and techniques Data processing and results Case studies Innovation and Evolution Potential in Environmental Assessment Ethics and professional ethics Legal and / or procedural shortcomings Cases of success and failure Challenges for the future

In the Environmental Impact Assessment course unit, innovative methodologies will be adopted to promote active learning, interdisciplinarity, and the practical application of knowledge. The following approaches will be used: ·       Analysis of real case studies, based on existing EIA processes, enabling students to identify best practices, recurring issues, and sustainable solutions. ·       Project-based learning, where students work in groups to develop a simplified Environmental Impact Study, integrating technical, legal, and participatory aspects. ·       Flipped classroom, with prior access to supporting materials (videos, articles, annotated legislation), allowing classroom time to be dedicated to debate, practical exercises, and simulations. ·       Use of digital tools and GIS (Geographic Information Systems), when applicable, to introduce the spatial dimension in the identification and assessment of impacts.    

>> Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente (2012). Guia de melhores práticas para Avaliação Ambiental Estratégica. >> Morris, P., Therivel, R. (2009). Methods of Environmental Impact Assessment, 3rd Ed., Rouledge. >> Smith, M., et al. (2005). Implementing Strategic Environmental Assessment, Springer, Berlim. >> Environmental Agency (2005). Good Practice Guidelines for Strategic Environmental Assessment. Environmental Agency, United Kingdom. >> Abaza, H., Bisset, R., Sadler, B. (2004). Environmental Impact Assessment and Strategic Environmental Assessment: Towards an Integrated Approach, UNEP. >> Therivel, R. (2004). Strategic Environmental Assessment in Action, Earthscan. >> European Comission (2001). Guidance on EIA Scoping; Screening; EIS Review. >> European Comission (1999). Guidelines for the Assessment of Indirect and Cumulative Impact as well as Impact Interactions. >> Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente. Guias Metodológicos para a Elaboração de Estudos de Impacte Ambiental.