What is the carbon footprint of an EIA?
Why did we undertake this research?
An Environmental Statement (ES) was delivered to our office recently in a box consisting of 4 large folders full of paper. This got us thinking about the amount of resources used to create an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and the carbon footprint of undertaking one. The purpose of EIA is to identify and mitigate environmental impacts. If we can understand where the greatest impacts are in the course of undertaking an EIA, then we can prioritise ways to reduce them in future.
What is the carbon footprint of an EIA?
What makes up the carbon footprint of an EIA:
Equivalent to…
Making 1050 Lattes
Taking 714 showers
A Return Flight From London To Iceland
What parts of an EIA have the highest carbon impact?
Transportation, including site visits, travel to project meetings and courier of the ES, had a carbon footprint of…
Equivalent to…
A Return Flight From London To Paris
100 Loads Of Washing At 40ºC
PRINTING AN ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT HAD A CARBON FOOTPRINT OF 19 kgCO2e WHICH IS EQUIVALENT TO:
So, what are the potential actions we can take to reduce the carbon footprint of undertaking an EIA?
Digitalisation of EIAS
- Reduction in printing through presentation of EIA on an interactive online platform using tools such as GIS
- Use of novel presentation technologies reduces the need for lengthy reports therefore reducing consultant time and associated resource use
Reducing the need to travel
- Meetings held through video conferencing rather than consultant team travelling for face-to-face meetings
- A move towards more streamlined EIA scoping, reducing requirement for unnecessary assessments and associated site surveys
- Avoiding site surveys through utilisation of existing desk-based data wherever sufficiently robust data is available
- Efficient allocation of site visits amongst team members based on geographic location
- Selection of sustainable transport methods for site surveys such as public transport and car sharing
Office Operations
- EIA consultants engage with landlords regarding their office efficiency
- EIA coordinator to challenge the consultant team and supply chain to demonstrate that they operate their businesses efficiently