How can you incorporate climate change adaptation and mitigation into your environmental impact assessment?

1 Define the scope

The first step in any EIA is to define the scope of the assessment, which includes the objectives, alternatives, baseline, impacts, and mitigation measures. You need to consider how climate change may affect or be affected by each of these elements. For example, you may need to include climate change scenarios and projections in your baseline, identify climate-sensitive impacts and vulnerabilities in your impact analysis, and propose adaptation and mitigation actions in your mitigation plan. You may also need to consult with relevant stakeholders and experts to ensure that your scope is comprehensive and relevant.

2 Use appropriate methods

The second step in EIA is to use appropriate methods and tools to collect and analyze data, assess impacts, and evaluate alternatives. You need to choose methods that can account for the complexity and uncertainty of climate change, such as scenario analysis, risk assessment, and multi-criteria analysis. You also need to use reliable and updated sources of information, such as climate models, databases, and reports. You may need to apply different methods for different aspects of climate change, such as greenhouse gas emissions, temperature, precipitation, sea level rise, and extreme events.

3 Communicate effectively

The third step in EIA is to communicate your findings and recommendations to the decision-makers and the public. You need to communicate effectively and transparently how you have incorporated climate change into your EIA, what are the key assumptions and uncertainties, and what are the implications and trade-offs of different alternatives. You may need to use different formats and channels to reach different audiences, such as reports, maps, graphs, tables, presentations, and consultations. You may also need to use clear and consistent language and terminology to avoid confusion and misunderstanding.

4 Monitor and evaluate

The fourth step in EIA is to monitor and evaluate the implementation and outcomes of the project or policy. You need to monitor and evaluate how the project or policy performs in terms of its environmental and social impacts, as well as its adaptation and mitigation benefits. You may need to use indicators, targets, and thresholds to measure and compare the actual and expected results. You may also need to adjust and update your EIA based on the feedback and lessons learned from the monitoring and evaluation process.

5 Learn and improve

The fifth step in EIA is to learn and improve from your experience and practice. You need to learn from your own and others' EIA projects and policies, as well as from the latest research and knowledge on climate change. You may need to participate in training, workshops, networks, and publications to enhance your skills and competencies. You may also need to share your insights and challenges with your peers and stakeholders to foster collaboration and innovation.

6 Integrate and mainstream

The sixth step in EIA is to integrate and mainstream climate change adaptation and mitigation into your EIA system and practice. You need to ensure that climate change is not treated as a separate or marginal issue, but as a cross-cutting and strategic one. You may need to revise and update your EIA policies, guidelines, standards, and procedures to incorporate climate change considerations. You may also need to promote and support the integration and mainstreaming of climate change into other sectors and levels of decision-making.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?