Demystifying an Environmental Impact Assessment; What is in it? 

Sustainable Development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. To implement a project, various resources are required; which undergo a series of activities and transformation to deliver the project’s objectives. For instance, to establish an irrigation scheme in light of food security; soil, land and water are the prerequisite requirements. To meet these needs, natural resources are exploited including human capita. Activities that transform the environment have both social and environmental, negative and positive impacts such as habitat and biodiversity loss, displacement of settlements, employment creation, pollution and depletion of resources. There is need to evaluate impacts associated with a project in order to prevent, mitigate or compensate related negative effects while enhancing the positive effects for ideal public and ecological health.  To attain this balance, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a tool which can be applied to effect sustainable development and growth.   

An EIA is a process that identifies and evaluates the potential environmental and social impacts, related to the implementation of a project. In Zimbabwe, an EIA is a legal requirement in terms of the Environmental Management Act (EMAct) Chapter 20:27 of 2002 read together with Statutory Instrument (SI) number 7 of 2007 on Environmental Impact Assessment and Ecosystem Regulations. These regulations provide a framework for social, environmental and ecosystems protection including enhancing sustainable socio-economic transformation.

The EMAct details environmental impacts assessment requirements under sections 97 to 108 whilst SI 7 of 2007 regulates the extraction of clay and sand deposits, environmental impact assessments, prevent of fires, sleighs and protection of wetlands, public streams and other certain lands. Under the first schedule of the EMAct Chapter 20:27, all projects with significant social and environmental impacts subject environmental impact assessment are described. These projects include dam construction, power generation, farming and mining activities. SI 7 of 2007 provides a procedure for undertaking an EIA, where a developer is required to submit a prospectus report to the Environmental Management Agency, which is reviewed under 20 working days or less. For any prescribed project to take place in Zimbabwe, a prospectus report is the prerequisite requirement. The purpose of this report is to provide a baseline environmental setting of the project site, including its key information such as the project location, description, area size and the potential social and environmental impacts. This information provides evidence to the Environmental Management Agency as basis for decision making on whether an Environmental Management Plan should be done or a full EIA, based on its scope and possible impacts.

Upon approval of the prospectus report by the Agency, the developer is required to engage an eligible and registered consultant to undertake a full EIA in line with the set EIA requirements. The EIA report is reviewed and approved within 60 working days or less. An EIA certificate is then issued upon a satisfactory of the regulatory agency by the EIA findings. If the project requires a full EIA, it is expected to conduct a public consultation process which informs relevant stakeholders and the public on the project objectives and the related impacts. This motion highlights social inclusion within the project implementation scope in order to prevent, mitigate or compensate any social and environmental impacts. The EIA requirements also expect the project to identify, assess and evaluate significant environmental impacts and address them through an Environmental Management Plan. After the Environmental Management Agency issues an EIA certificate; valid for 2 years, the project is subject to quarterly environmental audits.  The reports for the quarterly environmental audits are submitted to the Agency for monitoring compliance and renewal of the EIA certificate is done annually thereafter.

In addition, licenses and permits are required first before extraction of natural resources of disposing of waste. An example is that of SI 7 of 2007 which stipulates that a license is required before extraction of clay and sand deposits for commercial purposes. The license is valid for one year and it is not transferable. The Statutory Instrument also prohibits lighting up fire outside residential and commercial areas during the 31^st July to 31^st October of each year. It also encourages land owners or users to establish fire prevention measures by designing and erecting at least a 9-meter fire guard.  In regards to sleighs, the regulations prohibit the use or license of sleighs on any land. Wetlands are an essential part of our ecosystem as they facilitate water purification, act as a carbon sink and are habitat to diverse organisms. To protect wetlands, the SI prohibits any operation on a wetland, unless a license has been issued to a developer by the agency. The regulation also prohibits development activities on land that is within 30 meters of naturally defined banks or public streams.