How can you monitor and follow up on environmental impact assessment recommendations?

1 Define the scope and objectives

Before you start monitoring and follow-up, you need to define the scope and objectives of your activities. What are the key indicators, criteria, and standards that you will use to measure the environmental performance of the project or activity? What are the sources, methods, and frequency of data collection and analysis? Who are the responsible parties, stakeholders, and beneficiaries of the monitoring and follow-up? How will you communicate and report the results and feedback? These questions will help you establish a clear and consistent framework for your monitoring and follow-up.

2 Implement the mitigation measures

The next step is to implement the mitigation measures that were recommended in the EIA report. These are the actions that aim to prevent, reduce, or compensate for the negative impacts of the project or activity on the environment and society. Depending on the nature and scale of the project or activity, the mitigation measures may include design modifications, operational controls, environmental management plans, compensation schemes, restoration programs, or alternative solutions. You should document and verify the implementation of the mitigation measures and ensure that they comply with the relevant regulations, standards, and best practices.

3 Monitor the environmental impacts

The third step is to monitor the environmental impacts of the project or activity. This is the process of collecting and analyzing data on the actual effects of the project or activity on the environment and society. You should use the indicators, criteria, and standards that you defined in the first step to measure and compare the environmental performance of the project or activity with the baseline conditions, predictions, and targets. You should also use the sources, methods, and frequency of data collection and analysis that you defined in the first step to ensure that your monitoring is reliable, accurate, and timely.

4 Evaluate the effectiveness and compliance

The fourth step is to evaluate the effectiveness and compliance of the mitigation measures and the environmental performance of the project or activity. This is the process of assessing and reviewing the results and outcomes of the monitoring and follow-up activities. You should use the data and information that you collected and analyzed in the third step to determine whether the mitigation measures are implemented and effective, whether the environmental impacts are within the acceptable limits, and whether the project or activity meets the legal and contractual obligations and expectations. You should also identify any gaps, issues, or deviations that need to be addressed or corrected.

5 Report and communicate the results and feedback

The fifth step is to report and communicate the results and feedback of the monitoring and follow-up activities. This is the process of informing and engaging the relevant parties, stakeholders, and beneficiaries of the monitoring and follow-up activities. You should use the communication and reporting methods and channels that you defined in the first step to ensure that your reporting and communication is transparent, consistent, and accessible. You should also provide the evidence and documentation that support your findings and conclusions and solicit the feedback and suggestions that can improve your monitoring and follow-up.

6 Adapt and improve the monitoring and follow-up

The sixth and final step is to adapt and improve the monitoring and follow-up activities. This is the process of learning and applying the lessons and recommendations from the monitoring and follow-up activities. You should use the feedback and suggestions that you received in the fifth step to revise and update your monitoring and follow-up framework, objectives, indicators, criteria, standards, methods, frequency, responsibilities, and communication. You should also use the evaluation and review that you conducted in the fourth step to adjust and optimize your mitigation measures and environmental performance. You should aim to make your monitoring and follow-up activities more efficient, effective, and responsive to the changing conditions and needs of the environment and society.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?