Health, Safety and SecurityEnvironmental and Social Impact Assessment Practice
An impact assessment is commissioned to obtain an authorisation and is often written to that purpose, which is why so many predict manageable impacts and are contradicted within two years of operation. This course covers doing the work properly. Delegates work through screening, scoping and the terms of reference that determine what will actually be examined, baseline studies and the seasonal and temporal coverage credible baselines require, and impact prediction across biophysical and social receptors. Significance assessment and the judgement it involves are covered. Mitigation follows the hierarchy of avoid, minimise, restore and offset. The management plan and its translation into operational commitments are addressed. The course closes on monitoring, auditing predictions against outcomes, and on lender standards.
Course objectives
- Screen and scope an assessment and set defensible terms of reference
- Design baseline studies with adequate seasonal coverage
- Predict impacts across biophysical and social receptors
- Assess significance and document the judgement behind it
- Apply the mitigation hierarchy rather than defaulting to offsets
- Translate a management plan into operational commitments
- Monitor, audit predictions against outcomes and meet lender standards
Who should attend
- Environmental assessment practitioners and consultants
- Environmental and social performance staff
- Project developers commissioning assessments
- Government reviewers and authorisation officers
- Lender and development finance environmental staff
Course outline
- 01Written to obtain an authorisation
- 02Screening, scoping and terms of reference
- 03Baseline studies and seasonal coverage
- 04Biophysical impact prediction
- 05Social impact prediction
- 06Significance assessment
- 07The mitigation hierarchy
- 08Management plans, monitoring and lender standards
Scheduled sessions
| Dates | Venue | Format | Price | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 to 25 September 2026 | Kampala, Uganda | Classroom | USD 1,325 per delegate | Register Now |
| 2 to 6 November 2026 | Durban, South Africa | Classroom | R19,950 per delegate | Register Now |
| 8 to 12 February 2027 | Online | Online | R8,500 per delegate | Register Now |