What does an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) assess?

• A. To evaluate only air quality at the project site
• B. To guarantee biodiversity gains on site
• C. To evaluate the potential environmental impact of a scheme and identify risks to manage during planning
• D. To determine project budget and timeline

Answer: (C)

An Environmental Impact Assessment focuses on the potential environmental effects a proposed scheme could have and the risks that need to be managed during planning. It looks across a range of environmental aspects—air and water quality, soils, biodiversity, noise, traffic, landscape, cultural heritage, and more—and uses predictions to judge how significant those impacts might be. The process also requires stipulating mitigation measures to avoid or reduce negative effects and setting up monitoring and reporting to track any remaining impacts after implementation. The aim is to inform planning decisions so the project can be designed to minimize harm and, where possible, enhance benefits. It isn’t limited to a single issue like air quality, it doesn’t guarantee biodiversity gains on site, and it isn’t about determining the project budget or timeline.