MOMENTUM IS once again building for the introduction of environmental impact assessment (EIA) regulations, with a leading environmental consultancy firm throwing its support behind renewed calls for action.

Head of Environmental Solutions Limited Eleanor Jones said that there is a clear need for agreed regulations that can form the standard for how EIAs are conducted and made best use of. She was also quick to add that the introduction of EIA regulations must be accompanied by a relook at the entire project cycle and how that is monitored and managed by the environmental authorities.

“The regulations are important. The environmental due diligence process also needs to be fully integrated with the project cycle so that from the very beginning, you examine what the potential impacts might be and begin to integrate that into your design and development considerations and not simply look at the EIA as a document which is submitted like a thesis to be examined and then you get a permit at the end – after which time there is nothing that says you have to comply with what the recommendations are,” she told The Gleaner.