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Environmental Assessment
Environmental assessment (EA) is a powerful tool for sustainable development by assisting decision-makers to integrate environmental considerations and public input into decision-making. FAC engages in two main types of EA - project environmental assessment and strategic environmental assessment. Project environmental assessment is a requirement under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA) and pertains mainly to initiatives with physical attributes, such as the construction of a building or bridge. Strategic environmental assessment, on the other hand, is a non-statutory requirement under the 1999 Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan and Program Proposals and pertains to policy-type initiatives such as foreign policy, trade negotiations, or funding for various programs.
While there are similarities between project environmental assessments and strategic environmental assessments, the two are very different and should not be confused. Similarities include terminology, the timing of assessments, links to integrated decision-making, use of a scoping phase before detailed analysis, and identification of mitigation and enhancement options. However, assessing the environmental implications of policies, plan and program proposals is generally more complex than project assessments due to the increased uncertainly of outcomes and the influencing variables involved. This uncertainty is compounded by limitations on scientific data and constraints on the predictability of policy outcomes. Relatively speaking, environmental assessments of projects deal with site specific variables that are tangible and more easily quantified.
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