MODULE 4: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE EIA METHODOLOGIES
Methodologies for EIA
Project
alternatives Transboundary
Screening and Type/level of and Impact
scoping assessment cumulative Significance
Existing impacts
conditions
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MODULE 4: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE EIA METHODOLOGIES
Methodologies for EIA
Project Existing
Baseline Cases
alternatives Conditions
Evaluate socio- Environmental
Evaluate diverse and social
Gather data environmental
initiatives interactions
conditions
Scenario
Analysis
Consider
Define specific Crete a baseline
environmental
cases in each case
and social impact
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MODULE 4: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE EIA METHODOLOGIES
• Lifecycle assessment (LCA)
Analytical tools • Environmental risk assessment
• Environmental footprint
• Environmental indices
Aggregated tools • External indicators
• Rankings
• Risk management
Procedural tools • Multi-criteria decision analysis
• SEA
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LCA “Cradle-to-grave” Analysis
Process that evaluates the effect that a product or service may have on the environment. It takes
into consideration the entire life, including disposal, and it aims at decreasing liabilities while
improving efficiency in usage of resources.
“LCA's key elements are:
(1) identify and quantify the environmental loads involved; e.g. the energy and raw materials consumed,
the emissions and wastes generated;
(2) evaluate the potential environmental impacts of these loads; and
(3) assess the options available for reducing these environmental impacts.”
European Environment Agency (2020)
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MODULE 4: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE EIA METHODOLOGIES
LCA 4 steps
Sala et al. (2016)
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MODULE 4: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE EIA METHODOLOGIES
General Guide for LCA (2010)
Specific guide for Life Cycle Inventory
(LCI) Datasets (2010)
ISO 14040 14044
Analysis of existing EIA methodologies
LCA (2010)
International
Reference Life Cycle Documentation of LCA Data Sets
Data System (ILCD)
Compliance Rules and Entry Level
Requirements (2012) ILCD Data Network
Review Schemes for LCA
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MODULE 4: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE EIA METHODOLOGIES
Baseline Study Checklists
Matrix Checklist-Matrix Survey
Baseline Study Checklists Delphi
Env.
Matrix Checklist-Matrix Footprint
Scenario/Sensitivity
Map Overlays
Analysis Env.
Indicators
Scenario/Sensitivity Analysis
Integration into Risk
Assessment/Management
LCA
International Finance Corporation – World Bank
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MODULE 4: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE EIA METHODOLOGIES
Baseline Study
The Baseline study consists first and foremost of the collection of baseline data with the
objective to:
- Understand current conditions of the environment (nature and social)
- Comprehend how to implement the project and meet the needs/objectives
- Evaluate potential environmental changes
- Determine the degree of impact the project may have in provoking or exacerbating these
changes
Areas of study can include:
1- Physical, chemical and biological
Eg. Soil properties, geological characteristics, water/air pollution, biodiversity or ecosystems
2- Socio-economic and cultural
Eg. Demography, developmental capabilities or displacement of local population.
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MODULE 4: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE EIA METHODOLOGIES
Baseline Study
Impact Prediction
Simplest tool: Checklists
Checklists allow users to identify different elements throughout an environmental impact
assessment.
They can be designed for the scoping definition, to determine which elements should be
included, to identify the criteria for impact significance, as well as to select the adequate
stakeholders for consultation.
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MODULE 4: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE EIA METHODOLOGIES
Checklists
Simple checklist: Descriptive checklist: enlarges the
information of a simple checklist
includes a list of activities and each with a detail of the area and level of
type of impact is detailed next to it. impact.
Scaling checklist:
Questionnaire-based checklist:
the level and degree of impact is
includes feedback from stakeholders
evaluated according to a quantitative
with a detailed and comprehensive
estimation (general accepted criteria
aspects they are concerned with.
or corporate defined scale).
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MODULE 4: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE EIA METHODOLOGIES
Checklist: building upon the baseline study
Example:
Descriptive checklist
European Commission (2020)
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MODULE 4: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE EIA METHODOLOGIES
Questionnaire-based
checklist
Eco-intelligent (2016)
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MODULE 4: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE EIA METHODOLOGIES
Simplest tool: Checklists Matrix
A matrix combines more than one criteria, and can use the checklist as a starting point.
The matrix can be useful to define scope and screening, as well as in establishing the
variables that will be analysed.
A matrix can be implemented also during other stages of the EIA and in some
jurisdictions there are specific required templates and formats that should be used
which include an official matrix-based form.
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MODULE 4: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE EIA METHODOLOGIES
1- Screening
Town and Country Planning - UK EIA Regulation (2017)
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MODULE 4: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE EIA METHODOLOGIES
1- Screening
Lawler (2003)
Town and Country Planning - UK EIA Regulation (2017)
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MODULE 4: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE EIA METHODOLOGIES
2 - Scoping
Checklist-Matrix
Japan International Cooperation Agency – JICA (n.a.)
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MODULE 4: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE EIA METHODOLOGIES
2 - Scoping
Checklist-Matrix
Japan International Cooperation Agency – JICA (n.a.)
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MODULE 4: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE EIA METHODOLOGIES
Networks
Networks explain the links between different elements that are present in the environment and
the interconnectedness of the flora, fauna and ecosystems. It was first used in 1971 and is the
third most common tool, after Matrixes and Checklists.
Flowchart Cobweb Fishbone
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MODULE 4: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE EIA METHODOLOGIES
Flowchart Fishbone
Eco-intelligent (2016) Kolcak, Cetin and Saka (2022)
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MODULE 4: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE EIA METHODOLOGIES
Cobweb
Bourgeois, et al. (2022)
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MODULE 4: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE EIA METHODOLOGIES
Combining diverse quantitative methods
Sala, Crenna, Secchi and Sanyé-Mengual (2020)
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MODULE 4: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE EIA METHODOLOGIES
Map Overlays
[Link]
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MODULE 4: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE EIA METHODOLOGIES
QUANTITATIVE-
QUALITATIVE-QUANTITATIVE
QUALITATIVE
General Public
Experts
SEMI-
IN-DEPTH FOCUS
STRUCTURED SURVEY DELPHY
INTERVIEW GROUPS
INTERVIEW
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MODULE 4: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE EIA METHODOLOGIES
Survey/Questionnaire
The survey or questionnaire aims at obtaining feedback from specific stakeholders in order to have their
direct opinion or view on one or more matters that may affect the environment in which they live or operate
in.
Two types of data:
- Quantitative
- Includes closed questions (true or false, multiple choice, Likert scale, ranking, etc.)
- Statistical analysis
- Objective
- Qualitative
- Includes open-end questions where individuals can answer in their own words
- Requires a transformation of data to be analysed
- Subjective
Cirella, Iyalomhe, Jensen and Akiyode (2018)
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MODULE 4: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE EIA METHODOLOGIES
Survey/Questionnaire
In general, data gather needs to be evaluated according to the type of stakeholder which is why there are
generally variables including:
• Socio-demographic information
• Context and linkage to the project
• Time and framework of the analysis
• Relationship between the respondent and the project
General public consultations will include a vast number of questions and must add definitions and
descriptions of specific information so that any stakeholder can easily understand the concept and topics
being discussed. It does not have specific technical language and all data must be transmitted in a
manner that can be easily understood by any individual without subject-matter expertise.
Cirella, Iyalomhe, Jensen and Akiyode (2018)
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MODULE 4: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE EIA METHODOLOGIES
Survey/Questionnaire
Cirella, Iyalomhe, Jensen and Akiyode (2018)
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MODULE 4: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE EIA METHODOLOGIES
Survey/Questionnaire
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MODULE 4: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE EIA METHODOLOGIES
Delphi
Also known as Fuzzy Delphi Folchi method in EIA
Consists of two or more rounds of questionnaires that are:
- Structured – implying questions are closed
- Answered by subject matter experts – there is no need for a large pool of respondents
- Answers are anonymous and aggregated through the different iteration processes
It was first used by the military to estimate the probable effects of massive atomic bombing.
In EIA, it was first introduced by Folchi in the early 2000s to manage complex problems. The process combines
adaptability, comprehensiveness, repeatability, efficiency, and effectiveness.
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MODULE 4: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE EIA METHODOLOGIES
Delphi
Karakikes and Nathanail (2020)
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MODULE 4: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE EIA METHODOLOGIES
Common
Methodologies to
• Joint Research Centre measure LCA • EU Commission
(JCR) Recommendation
• Directives • Product Environmental 2021/2279
Footprint (PEF) • Common elements for
• Organisation EIA
Environmental
Footprint (EF)
European Union Regional Standards
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MODULE 4: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE EIA METHODOLOGIES
•Environmental index using factor analysis.
Air, water, climate, soil, natural vegetation and landforms
•Cost/Benefit analysis: Quantifying elements (including intangible ones)
• Direct Costs
• Other negative impacts
• Direct Benefits
• Other positive impacts
•Predictive or Simulation methods: Scenario or Sensitivity Analysis
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