An evaluation of the EIA process in promoting sustainability in the mining sector of Namibia
Date
2024-12
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Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) can contribute significantly to the advancement of sustainable development by allowing the inclusion of the project’s ecological, social and economic aspects of the into the development process. In actuality, though, it's unclear if EIAs are carried out in a way that effectively advances sustainable development, and especially social sustainability. This research study therefore reviewed the literature pertaining to EIA effectiveness, developing a theoretical framework about the potential role that EIA could play in promoting social sustainability in Namibia's mining industry. The study designed an evaluation framework to assess the efficacy of EIA reports in promoting sustainable development, based on this literature review, and the importance of including the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals at the forefront of development. This research then used this evaluation framework to evaluate how effective the EIA process was in promoting social sustainability in the mining sector of Namibia, by exploring sixteen EIA reports. This same framework was also used to evaluate the Namibian legal framework as it relates to EIA. An evaluation research design was used, and the study also used multiple case studies based on sixteen EIA reports, using a combination of numeric and non-numeric data collection methods. The secondary data used in this desktop study came from archived data sources. The EIA reports were assessed using the evaluation framework as developed, which focussed on a social sustainability theoretical framework. Thematic content analysis was used to analyse non-numeric data, while Microsoft Excel was employed to analyse numeric data. The case studies found that societal problems were barely included in EIA reports or insufficient information was provided in the reports. The case studies further revealed that Social Impact Assessment (SIA) is not carried out in a specialised manner in the mining sector. The case studies revealed that public participation is done to comply with minimum legal requirements, although there are challenges such as indigenous people not being involved as they are supposed to be, or participation happens late in the process. With regards to the legal framework, the Namibian legislation has omitted several important aspects in their EIA Regulations. For example, the EIA Regulations do not state clearly what social information should be included in the EIA reports. In addition, both the Act and its regulations do not stipulate SIA or community meetings, thereby jeopardising the effective implementation of EIA. Lastly, the study made recommendations on improving social sustainability in Namibia. The recommendations are that environmental and social professionals must identify objectives, set processes, establish timetables, put into practice choices to fulfil predetermined goals for the proactive creation of achievable, sustainable results in order to bring the SDGs into compliance with the EIA procedure. This includes making sure that programmes, strategies, and policies support the SDGs' vision for transformative change and ensuring that the planned outcomes of an EIA are in line with efforts to advance social and economic objectives and improve and restore the environment. SIA reports should specifically address all the SDGs, Consultants should carefully match screening criteria with the SDGs and identify which project activities affect the SDGs. Consultants should ensure compliance with the respective SDGs,
based on the kind of project and how the targets of those SDGs will be met. Moreover, EIA legislation and regulations should be reviewed to ensure that social sustainability aspects are addressed in the EIA reports, and provisions should be made for SIA and public meetings in the legislation and EIA Regulations.
Description
Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2024.