• adelaide

Environmental Impact Assessment

Develop your understanding of an environmental impact assessment (EIA) and gain the skills to identify, assess, and rank impacts.

746 enrolled on this course

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Environmental Impact Assessment

746 enrolled on this course

  • 4 weeks

  • 3 hours per week

  • Accreditation available

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Introductory level

Find out more about how to join this course

The CPD Certification Service

This course has been certified by the CPD Certification Service as conforming to continuing professional development principles. Find out more.

Learn how to conduct an environmental impact assessment (EIA)

How do you undertake forms of development without compromising environmental, social, and economic sustainability?

This four-week course will equip you with the skills to be able to decide what forms of environmental impact assessments (EIA) are needed and when to call on experts.

Exploring real-world applications, you’ll see what successful EIA implementation looks like and how you can apply this to different contexts. With this knowledge, you’ll be able to develop in your current or future role as an environmental professional.

Explore different forms of impact assessment

You’ll discover a variety of impact assessments including environmental, social, cultural, and economic impacts.

This exploration will ensure you can gauge the impacts of development, how likely they are to occur, and how significant they will be.

Align the EIA process with people

With an understanding of different impacts that can occur, you’ll unpack the nature of these impacts and how to assess them.

This knowledge will help you explore the relationship between people and EIA. You’ll be guided through an environmental impact assessment process and how you can align this with the people involved, such as through engaging the community.

Learn from the experts at The University of Adelaide

Throughout the course, you’ll be guided by the specialists at The University of Adelaide to ensure you finish with the knowledge and practical skills to conduct a successful environmental impact assessment.

The skills you’ll learn are crucial for anyone undertaking an environmental impact assessment, but also for those managing or overseeing the process.

Skip to 0 minutes and 11 seconds Did you know that around nine-tenths of new roads are being built in developing nations, which sustain the most biologically important ecosystems on earth?

Skip to 0 minutes and 23 seconds Learn how to balance tensions between development and sustainability with our course on Environmental Impact Assessment. This skill-oriented course is designed for environmental professionals and those seeking to advance their knowledge and career. In this course, you will discover the history and principles of impact assessment, different forms of assessments, and how to match impacts with assessments using case studies. With evidence-based learning and real-world application, you’ll develop critical skills for your future employment.

Skip to 0 minutes and 57 seconds Enrol now and make a positive impact on our planet.

Syllabus

  • Week 1

    Rationale behind EIA

    • Getting started

      This section includes all the information you will need to get started in this course.

    • Introduction to Week 1

      Let's take a look ahead to what we'll be covering this week.

    • What are the origins of the environmental impact assessment?

      This activity is an introduction to the history of environmental impact assessment.

    • Why are environmental impact assessments important?

      This activity will equip you with the necessary skills to effectively explain the importance of environmental impact assessment.

    • What is an environmental impact assessment?

      This activity will equip you with the necessary skills to describe the complex processes involved in social, economic, and environmental impact assessments, enabling you to make well-informed decisions.

    • Assessment

      Do you know the history and fundamentals of environmental impact assessment and why we need environmental impact assessment. Take this test to find out how much you know.

    • Bringing it all together

      Let's reflect on what we've covered this week and take a look at what's coming up next.

  • Week 2

    The EIA process

    • Introduction to Week 2

      Let's take a look ahead to what we'll be covering this week.

    • Why would you need different forms of assessment?

      This activity will explore the reasons why different forms of assessment may be necessary.

    • What are the different forms of assessment?

      This activity will examine the various forms of assessment used in environmental impact assessments, such as social impact assessments and health impact assessments.

    • How do you decide which assessments to use?

      This activity will delve into the factors that influence the selection of assessments for a given project or situation.

    • Assessment

      Do you know about the different types of assessments used in the Environmental Impact Assessment process? Are you aware of the trade-offs involved in assessing impacts? Take this test to find out how much you know.

    • Bringing it all together

      Let's reflect on what we've covered this week and take a look at what's coming up next.

  • Week 3

    Understanding the nature of impacts and how to assess them

    • Introduction to Week 3

      Let's take a look ahead to what we'll be covering this week.

    • How do you define impact?

      This activity will explore how impact is defined and provide insight into the various dimensions of impact, such as environmental, social, and economic impact.

    • What are the different impacts?

      This activity will examine the different types of impacts resulting from human activities, including environmental, social, and economic impacts, and discuss how they are evaluated through impact assessment.

    • Ranking impacts

      This activity will examine the importance of ranking impacts for effective impact assessment, and explore best practices and challenges associated with impact ranking.

    • Assessment

      Test your knowledge of ranking impact assessments and navigating political and public pressure in the context of impact ranking.

    • Bringing it all together

      Let's reflect on what we've covered this week and take a look at what's coming up next.

  • Week 4

    The relationship between people and EIA

    • Introduction to Week 4

      Let's take a look ahead to what we'll be covering this week.

    • How do you align EIA assessment processes with people?

      This activity will explore strategies and best practices for aligning EIA assessment processes with people. We'll look at ways to engage communities and involve them in decision-making.

    • What does putting theory into practice look like?

      This activity will provide examples and case studies to illustrate what putting EIA theory into practice looks like, including the steps involved, challenges faced, and lessons learned in implementing EIA in the real-world.

    • Future environmental impact assessment - integrated impact assessments

      This activity will help you understand the future of environmental impact assessments, specifically how they are becoming more integrated and what that means.

    • Assessment

      Test your knowledge of the relationship between EIA processes and people, the practical application of EIA, and the future of integrated and strategic impact assessments.

    • Bringing it all together

      Let's reflect on what we've covered this week and take a look at what's coming up next.

    • What's next?

      Let's reflect on what we've covered over the past weeks and look at ways for you to carry on learning!

    • Additional references

      Additional references that were used in the creation of the course.

Who is this accredited by?

The CPD Certification Service
The CPD Certification Service:

The CPD Certification Service was established in 1996 and is the leading independent CPD accreditation institution operating across industry sectors to complement the CPD policies of professional and academic bodies.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Describe the forms of environmental assessment needed based on the extent and scale of different impacts.
  • Explain the social, economic, and environmental impact assessment processes.
  • Identify the process of undertaking an environmental impact assessment in different contexts.

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for anyone with an interest in environmental impact assessments, without any prior knowledge needed.

The primary aim of this course is to develop the knowledge of professionals to assist them in advancing their career paths.

Who will you learn with?

A Professor at the University of Adelaide, I am a passionate advocate of environmental sustainability and teach courses in and do research in this area.

Who developed the course?

The University of Adelaide

The University of Adelaide is a world-class teaching and research institution. They are committed to developing quality students and lifelong learners who are recognised for their skills, creativity, global outlook and ability to succeed.

  • World ranking

    Top 110Source: QS World University Rankings 2023

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Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$27.99

For the first two months. Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Tests to boost your learning
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$134/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Tests to boost your learning
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

  • Access expires 16 Apr 2024

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

T&Cs apply.

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