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Of Smoke and Mirrors: (Mis)Communicating EIA Results of Solar Energy Projects in South Africa

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  • Daniel S. Boshoff

    (Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, School of Geo- and Spatial Sciences, North-West University, South Africa2Department of Geography, Environmental Management and Energy Studies, University of Johannesburg, South Africa)

Abstract

Environmental impact assessments (EIAs) and renewable energy developments are key instruments to achieving sustainable development goals. Additionally, environmental impact assessment reports (EIARs) are vital in communicating the findings of proposed developments to all stakeholders. Yet, the quality of EIARs does not always comply with criteria in a satisfactory manner, thereby compromising sustainability. The quality of 25 solar energy EIARs in South Africa was reviewed with an adapted Lee–Colley Review Package. Based on this review, 68% of EIARs were found to be satisfactorily conducted, whereas 80% of the overall scores were regarded as borderline quality grades. Interestingly, complex assessment tasks — determining impact significance, alternatives, mitigation measures and the communication of findings — were executed unsatisfactorily. The poor communication of environmental impacts to stakeholders is not only an obstacle for EIA processes but also for sustainable development mechanisms as a whole.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel S. Boshoff, 2019. "Of Smoke and Mirrors: (Mis)Communicating EIA Results of Solar Energy Projects in South Africa," Journal of Environmental Assessment Policy and Management (JEAPM), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 21(03), pages 1-19, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:wsi:jeapmx:v:21:y:2019:i:03:n:s1464333219500145
    DOI: 10.1142/S1464333219500145
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    Cited by:

    1. Huang, Shi-Zheng, 2022. "Do green financing and industrial structure matter for green economic recovery? Fresh empirical insights from Vietnam," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 61-73.
    2. Vincent D. Choji & Isaac T. Rampedi & Lee-Ann S. Modley & Ayodeji P. Ifegbesan, 2022. "An Evaluation of the Quality of Environmental Impact Assessment Reports in the Mobile Telecommunications Infrastructure Sector: The Case of Plateau State in Nigeria," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-23, October.
    3. Xu, Nuo & Kasimov, Ikboljon & Wang, Yanan, 2022. "Unlocking private investment as a new determinant of green finance for renewable development in China," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 198(C), pages 1121-1130.
    4. Zhang, Dongyang & Mohsin, Muhammad & Taghizadeh-Hesary, Farhad, 2022. "Does green finance counteract the climate change mitigation: Asymmetric effect of renewable energy investment and R&D," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 113(C).

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