Environmental Impact Assessment - Authoritative International

In this review of Environmental Impact Assessment, the bottom line is simple: this revised text is best suited to planners, environmental consultants and advanced students who need a comprehensive, comparative overview of EIA systems worldwide. The book's single biggest reason to buy is its authoritative, international perspective that brings together practices from the UK, USA, the Netherlands, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa in one accessible volume. As a reviewer, the emphasis on comparative systems and practical management use makes it a reliable reference rather than a brief introduction.

Key Features

• International comparison: Explains how different national frameworks operate so readers can compare procedural and legal approaches across jurisdictions.
• Practical focus: Treats EIA as a management tool, showing how assessment informs decisions before major actions are taken.
• Updated edition: The new edition reflects contemporary practice and consolidates key lessons from varied Commonwealth and non-Commonwealth systems.
• Accessible synthesis: Brings academic review and practical examples together to support both study and professional reference.
• Geographic range: Covers a broad set of countries, providing readers with an understanding of how EIA is applied in different legal and cultural contexts.

Who It's For

This book is aimed at environmental planners, practicing consultants and senior students who already have some grounding in environmental policy and need a comparative, international perspective. Professionals involved in project appraisal or regulatory review will find the blend of management emphasis and cross-country examples particularly useful.

Readers seeking an introductory textbook for beginners or a quick how-to manual for writing EIA reports may want a more practice-oriented guide with templates and step-by-step procedures. This volume is stronger as an authoritative review and comparative analysis than as a beginner's workbook.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Provides a broad, comparative viewpoint that helps situate national systems in an international context.
• Focuses on EIA as a decision-making and management tool, useful for real-world project appraisal.
• The updated edition gathers contemporary practice from multiple jurisdictions, making it a solid reference.

Cons

• Not a beginner's step-by-step manual, so novices may need supplementary practical guides.

Specifications

Our Verdict

Environmental Impact Assessment is a valuable, well-rounded reference for professionals and advanced students who need an international, comparative understanding of EIA systems. It represents good value for anyone seeking context and management-focused insight rather than an introductory how-to manual.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this edition compare multiple national EIA systems?
Yes, the text explicitly compares systems in the UK, USA, the Netherlands, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

Is this book suitable for beginners?
It is best for readers with some prior knowledge; beginners may prefer a practical guide with templates.

Will this help practitioners in project appraisal?
Yes, the emphasis on EIA as a management tool makes it useful for practitioners involved in regulatory and appraisal work.