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PLP-ESS Module 18: Cumulative Environmental Impact Assessment (CIA)



Cumulative impacts are changes to the environment caused by an action (i.e., project/s) in combination with other past, present, and future human actions. The importance of assessing cumulative impacts is becoming more relevant and of interest among stakeholders because there are an increasing number of examples of conflicts between upstream and downstream users. CIA are useful when information on the combined effects of projects is necessary to provide confidence to developers, decision-makers and the public about the broader context and longer terms environmental conditions likely to result from an action, project or projects. This module aims to:

  • Introduce participants to cumulative environmental impact assessments: when they are needed, legal requirements, approaches and tools.
  • Describe the general process and steps of CIA: scoping, data & information gathering, analysis & review, consultation, finalization, and implementation.
  • Share examples of industries that benefit from CIA.

The session is delivered by:

  • Emeritus Professor Richard Morgan – Emeritus Professor of Geography at the University of Otago, Dunedin, and the current chair of New Zealand Association for Impact Assessment (NZAIA).
  • Prof Nick Taylor – SIA Specialist and Former President of the International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA) from 2008-2011.