In recent times, the construction industry seems to be undergoing a welcome transformation. They are now aware of and implementing measures for sustainable development. A number of concerns like climate change, resource depletion, and environmental degradation have been in the discussion for long. The global population has already started experiencing the negative impacts of the aforementioned factors. Construction industries have thus come forward and are emphasizing on Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) as one of the vital steps in their project planning and execution. Let us take a look at how these construction companies are integrating EIAs along with their project planning.
Understanding Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
For those who are unaware, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a process that is used to evaluate the environmental effects of a project. To be precise, the construction companies make use of a plan that covers all the essential aspects of the environment like water, air, soil, and biodiversity along with a focus on human health. All these factors are kept in consideration before finalizing a project and initiating the work. The goal of EIA is primarily to ensure that decision-makers consider all the above-mentioned environmental consequences and sustainability in their planning.
The increasing importance of EIA in construction
Even a few years ago, industries working for sustainable development for various projects were considered as a welcome gesture. Presently, it has become the need of the hour and thus many governments and authorities have made it mandatory for industries to follow specific rules for protecting the environment. Here are some of the main reasons that make EIAs so significant for the construction industry. You can visit https://osterman.com.au and see the way they are utilizing EIA for their various projects.
- Compliance with regulations: Considering the strict laws governments and regulatory bodies across the globe have implemented, construction companies must conduct EIAs before commencing their projects. These laws make sure that large-scale construction projects do not affect the ecosystem negatively. Alongside this, adequate precautionary measures are also necessary to undertake for keeping the human population safe. If any company does not comply with these laws, it can lead to costly delays, fines, and project cancellation, harming the goodwill of the company.
- Corporate social responsibility (CSR): A wide array of construction companies are now adopting concrete social responsibility policies. It is via EIAs that these companies can demonstrate their commitment to minimizing environmental harm. While doing this, it increases their reputation. CSR additionally helps build a strong bond with others like clients, investors, and others involved in such construction projects who value sustainability.
- Cutting down risks: With the help of EIA, construction companies can identify well in advance the potential environmental risks. Some of the key factors include soil erosion, deforestation, water contamination, and air pollution. Each of these can have an adverse effect on both the ecosystem and human health. By conducting EIA, construction companies can develop full-proof strategies to minimize the aforementioned risks. Ultimately, it leads to smoother execution of their projects.
- Gaining trust: Earlier, we can cite innumerable examples, where construction sites have had to lock horns with the people living near the construction site. They had to eventually halt the project as it was becoming a threat to the environment and the residents. With the help of EIA, construction companies can avoid the above-mentioned situation. When the people living nearby identify a particular construction project is operating without disturbing their daily lives and is also not interfering with the ecosystem, it starts building trust with the locals. As we all know, local consultations can play a key role in determining the success of a project, by winning the trust of the locals, construction projects can operate smoothly and finish well in time.
- Sustainable practices and innovation: By conducting EIA, construction companies can come up with innovative ideas that promote sustainable construction. Green building practices are one such example. These projects use sustainable materials, energy-efficient designs, and eco-friendly constructions. Many other construction companies have also embraced these procedures. EIA recommendations usually help in adopting these practices which in turn reduce the overall environmental footprint of construction projects.
Core areas of Environmental Impact Assessment
EIAs primarily focus on some of the key aspects. It is only after assessing them that construction companies set up the blueprint of their project. Here are the factors that are taken into consideration:
- Air quality: Construction activities that involve works like excavation, transportation of materials, and utilization of heavy machinery can generate huge amounts of dust, greenhouse gases, and other pollutants. Each of them can pollute the air. EIA assesses the potential air quality impact based on the scale of the project. Accordingly, they can come up with dust control measures, emission control techniques, and replacing vehicles with low-emission variants.
- Water resources: Likewise, construction activities can have a detrimental effect on the local water bodies. It can get polluted or in some cases, over-extraction of water also remains an issue. EIA can evaluate the potential impact on both water quality and quantity. Based on the findings, companies can strategize water conservation policies, treatment of wastewater, and preventing contamination of water via harmful chemicals.
- Biodiversity and ecosystems: Large-scale construction projects can pose a huge threat to ecosystems. For example, it can disrupt wildlife, deplete resources, and overall impact biodiversity. EIA implementation can identify the potential risks in advance. Companies can then come up with strategies that involve habitat restoration, reforestation, or re-designing construction plans.
- Waste management: Any form of construction work would naturally generate substantial amounts of waste. It can be in the form of rubble, metals, and even hazardous materials. EIA can assess the type and volume of waste that can be produced during a specific construction work. Accordingly, it can suggest waste management strategies. Presently, most of these companies are implementing recycling, reuse, and adequate disposal of hazardous substances. The earlier issue when waste products often ended up in landfills is now becoming lesser considerably.
- Noise and vibration: Lastly, construction activities involve several machinery and vehicles that can generate noise and vibration. EIA can assess the potential impact and suggest the appropriate measures to minimize such risks. The use of environmental monitors that can record and analyze sound, air, and vibrations are now being used extensively. If necessary, construction companies are stressing on the use of sound barriers, and limiting construction work during sensitive times of the day.
Challenges in implementing EIAs
Despite EIAs becoming a common phenomenon in the construction industry, various challenges exist. One of the major drawbacks can be in the form of the time it takes to assess and execute a plan. Then again, it can be expensive, small and medium-scale businesses would find it very difficult to implement their projects while considering the features of EIAs. In many cases, the recommendations given by EIA cannot be followed accurately due to budget limitations or lack of infrastructure. Governments and regulatory bodies have to come up to assist these businesses which would help them in implementing all the steps suggested by EIAs. Nevertheless, the future seems to be bright as more and more construction companies integrate EIAs into their projects. As the need for environmental conservation is gaining momentum, EIAs are here to stay for all the right reasons.
