What are some strategies for incorporating human rights into the EIA process?

1 Why human rights matter

Human rights are not only moral and legal obligations, but also essential elements of sustainable development. They can help protect the environment and the people who depend on it, especially the most vulnerable and marginalized groups. By respecting and promoting human rights, environmental engineers can contribute to the social and environmental justice, equity, and well-being of the communities they work with. Moreover, human rights can help prevent or reduce conflicts, grievances, and litigation that may arise from environmental impacts, and enhance the legitimacy and acceptability of the project.

2 How to identify human rights issues

The first step to incorporating human rights into the EIA process is to identify the relevant human rights issues that may be affected by the project. This can be done by conducting a human rights screening or scoping exercise, which involves reviewing the national and international human rights obligations and standards, the project objectives and activities, the baseline conditions of the affected environment and population, and the potential direct and indirect impacts. The screening or scoping should also consult with the stakeholders, especially the rights-holders and duty-bearers, to understand their perspectives, expectations, and concerns.

3 How to assess human rights impacts

The next step is to assess the human rights impacts of the project, both positive and negative, using appropriate methods and tools. These may include human rights impact assessment (HRIA), which is a specific type of impact assessment that focuses on human rights; or integrated impact assessment (IIA), which combines different types of impact assessment, such as environmental, social, health, and human rights. The assessment should consider the magnitude, likelihood, duration, distribution, reversibility, and cumulative effects of the impacts, as well as the potential mitigation and enhancement measures.

4 How to report and communicate human rights findings

The third step is to report and communicate the human rights findings of the assessment in a clear, concise, and accessible way. The report should include the following elements: the purpose and scope of the assessment, the methodology and data sources, the human rights issues and impacts identified, the mitigation and enhancement measures proposed, the monitoring and evaluation plan, and the stakeholder engagement process. The report should also disclose any limitations, uncertainties, or assumptions involved in the assessment. The communication should target the relevant audiences, such as the decision-makers, the affected communities, the project proponents, and the public, and use appropriate formats, such as summaries, presentations, infographics, or webinars.

5 How to implement and monitor human rights measures

The final step is to implement and monitor the human rights measures that were recommended in the assessment, and to evaluate their effectiveness and outcomes. This can be done by integrating the human rights measures into the project design, management, and operation, and by allocating sufficient resources, responsibilities, and accountability mechanisms. The monitoring and evaluation should track the progress and performance of the human rights measures, using indicators, data collection, and reporting systems. The monitoring and evaluation should also involve the stakeholders, especially the affected communities, and provide feedback and opportunities for learning and improvement.

6 How to improve human rights practice

Incorporating human rights into the EIA process is not a one-off or static exercise, but a dynamic and continuous practice that requires constant learning and adaptation. Therefore, it is important to improve the human rights practice by seeking feedback, sharing experiences, updating knowledge, and applying lessons learned. Some of the ways to improve the human rights practice include: participating in networks, platforms, or forums that promote human rights and EIA; accessing and using relevant guidance, tools, or resources that support human rights and EIA; and conducting or participating in research, training, or capacity building that enhance human rights and EIA skills and competencies.