Description

This course introduces concepts and methodologies of environmental impact assessment (EIA) and strategic environmental assessment (SEA). As well, it reviews selected past environmental impact studies, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses. Special attention will be paid to the scientific quality of EIA studies, level of stakeholder involvement, and how authorities comply with regulations and directives. Students will have an exercise in how to prepare and implement an impact assessment of a project, plan and a policy. In the latter part of the course there will be an introduction to the theory and methods of various management systems used in the world. The class will review the rationale for such systems, as well as their principles, components and use. Different environmental and sustainability management frameworks will be evaluated.

Learning outcomes

• Students will gain insights into the theoretical and practical sides of EIA and SEA
• Students will be able to critically assess the quality of EIA studies
• Students will be able to put EIA studies into the context of the EU framework
• Students will be able to set up EIA projects under different environmental settings, and write reports and recommendations for authorities
• Students will become familiar with how to organize and implement environmental and sustainability management systems.

Assessment

Instructor

Ólafur Ögmundarson graduated in 2009 with a MSc in Environment and Natural Resources from the School of Engineering and Natural Science, University of Iceland. Ólafur also holds a Diploma in Aquaculture from the University of Hólar, Iceland. He has been a guest lecturer at the University of Iceland, as well as a research assistant. In his master's thesis, Ólafur looked at the role of public participation in the EIA process in Iceland and how effective, or ineffective, it has been.
Currently, Ólafur works as an aquaculture specialist at Matís (Icelandic Food Research) in Ísafjörður, Iceland.

Gunnar Páll Eydal graduated in 2004 with a master´s of Resource Management from the School of Resource and Environmental Management, Simon Fraser University. In 1997, Gunnar graduated with a B.sc in Geology from the University of Iceland. He specializes in planning of wilderness and rural areas as well as management systems. In 1997-2001, Gunnar was a research associate at the Science Institute University of Iceland, Division of Geophysics. In 2005-2006, he taught courses in geology and environmental management at Ísafjörður College. Since 2006, Gunnar has been working at Eik - planning and environmental consulting and is located in Ísafjörður. Eik is currently directing several regional and municipal planning projects of coastal areas.

Guest lecturer

Further reading