Environmental Impact Assessment in Canada and Japan

概要

論文の詳細を見る
Environmental impact assessment (EIA, together with social and cultural impact assessment) is a primary tool for evaluating environmental consequences of major development projects. How well EIA functions is an index of how well a country is meeting the requirements of sustainable development. Canada and Japan passed EIA legislation relatively recently (1992 and 1997 respectively) although both countries employed EIA in a limited way prior to passing legislation. In this paper we review and compare the histories and current practices of EIA in Canada and Japan and consider how effective their EIAs are through case studies of major dam building projects. The history and the current structure of EIA are similar in Canada and Japan and, although there continue to be problems with EIA, it has opened the decision-making process to considerable public scrutiny. This was a major change, particularly in Japan where public review of government decisions was rare in the past. Few projects have actually been cancelled as a result of EIA but projects are now designed to reduce environmental and social impacts. Cumulative impact assessment, consideration of alternative use of environmental resources and post-project follow-up remain weak aspects of EIA in Canada and Japan. Major water development projects in Japan, however, are now part of comprehensive basin planning, which should provide a clearer social and environmental context for such projects in Japan.