Impact assessment
Understanding impacts before decisions are made
Impact assessment is at the heart of my work. I assess the environmental, social and human rights impacts of projects, policies and investments, and design the measures that avoid, reduce and manage them. I am an Impact Assessment Certified Professional with the International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA).
Safeguards are how multilateral development banks and lenders apply their own standards to the projects they finance. Impact assessment is also what national governments and regulators require before a project can go ahead. I work on both: from lender standards to national approvals in the countries where projects take place.
Environmental and social impact assessment
Assessments that meet national regulatory requirements and give the authorities that approve projects the evidence they need.
- Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA)
- Scoping and terms of reference agreed with regulators
- Environmental and social baseline studies
- Impact prediction and evaluation of significance
- Environmental and social management plans
Social and human rights impact assessment
Understanding how a project will change the lives of the people and communities around it, and making sure they share in its benefits.
- Social Impact Assessment (SIA)
- Human rights impact assessment
- Resettlement Action Plans and livelihood restoration
- Gender and Indigenous peoples assessment
- Social Impact Management Plans
Consultation and stakeholder engagement
Meaningful consultation with communities, government and industry, so that assessments reflect what people know and expect.
- Stakeholder mapping and engagement plans
- Community consultation and focus groups
- Free, prior and informed consent processes
- Grievance mechanisms
- Public consultation for regulatory approval
Cumulative and strategic assessment
Looking beyond a single project to the combined effects of many projects, policies and plans over time.
- Cumulative impact assessment
- Strategic environmental and social assessment
- Sustainability impact assessment
- Independent review of assessments for lenders and regulators
- Monitoring and evaluation
Selected work
- Social Impact Management Plan, AAPowerLinkFor Sun Cable, the Social Impact Management Plan for the cross border renewable energy project linking Australia, Indonesia and Singapore, approved by the Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority.
- Hatch: social impact assessment and management plansWorkshops and a master class for Hatch on social impact assessment, social impact management plans and social risk assessment of extractive projects.
Angola: social impact assessment and resettlementSocial impact assessment and a Resettlement Action Plan in Angola, including work with Indigenous communities affected by diamond mining at Catoca, together with the Ministry of Geology and Mines and UNDP.
Colombia: social impact assessment in mining regionsSocial impact assessment and consultation with mining communities in Colombia, including Muzo, Boyacá, with recommendations to the emerald company operating there.
Need an impact assessment?
Tell me about the project, the country and the approvals you need.