James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2024

EV5110 - Environmental and Social Impact Assessment

Subject Description

The subject examines the political and legal framework for impact assessment and the procedures and approaches that are routinely applied to evaluate and mitigate the impact of major developments. The subject also introduces sustainability assessment, strategic environmental assessment and the theory and practice of biophysical offsets as a mitigation measure in managing unavoidable residual impacts of projects. The subject also develops an awareness and understanding of the theoretical and practical processes of Social Impact Assessment. The history and development of Social Impact Assessment is presented along side practical learning of the processes.

Learning Outcomes

• understand the commonly accepted definitions of Social Impact Assessment, Technological Assessment and Environmental Impact; and be familiar with and understand the commonwealth and state environmental protection legislation and its international context
• understand the history of EIA-SIA legislation; understand how Social Impact Assessment fits into the overall Environmental Impact Assessment process in developed and developing countries
• gain familiarity with the theory, process and practice of environmental impact assessment (EIA) and understand how EIA aids decision-making
• be able to recognise good and bad practice in the pre-assessment, assessment and post assessment phases of EIA
• gain an understanding of the aims and scope of Strategic environmental assessment, sustainability assessment and biophysical offsetting
• develop and practice teamwork skills by working as part of a multi-disciplinary team

Subject Assessment

• Written > Test/Quiz 1 - (10%) - Individual
• Written > Problem task - (30%) - Individual
• Written > Technical report - (30%) - Group
• Written > Test/Quiz 2 - (30%) - Individual

Note that minor variations might occur due to the continuous subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.

Assumed Knowledge:  Students enrolling in this subject should have an undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline or will have acquired equivalent knowledge through industry experience. Relevant disciplines include: environmental science, environmental management, biology (marine biology, zoology, or aquaculture), law, policy or human geography.

Inadmissible Subject Combinations:  EV3110

Availabilities