Environmental & Social Impact Assessment (ESIA)
Technical Explanation
An ESIA integrates both environmental and social impact assessment in one process. It evaluates how a proposed project will affect the natural environment and the people (health, livelihoods, culture) in the project area. ESIA is often required by international lenders and follows performance standards to ensure issues like involuntary resettlement or indigenous peoples’ impacts are addressed. It results in an ESIA report and an Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP).
Main requirements
Required for large projects with notable social and environmental footprints (e.g. dams, highways, power plants), especially when seeking international financing. Needs a multidisciplinary team (ecologists, sociologists, etc.), extensive stakeholder engagement, and alignment with frameworks (like IFC Performance Standards). It ensures both environmental and social mitigation measures are planned before project implementation.