Power, poverty and sustainability - International Association for ...

• IAIA06 Abstracts Volume •
• Improved Russian –Norwegian cooperation
The EIA as Part of International Trade Agreements–
Example: North American Free Trade Agreement
(NAFTA) Operations?
Podhora, Aranka; Berlin University of Technology, Straße des
17. Juni 145, Sek. EB 5, Berlin, 10623 Germany. 0049 - 30 -
314 734 93. podhora@ile.tu-berlin.de
Köppel, Johann; Berlin University of Technology, Straße des
17. Juni 145, Sek. EB 5, Berlin, 10623 Germany. 0049 - 30 -
314 22 34 4. koeppel@ile.tu-berlin.de
As the first transnational trade agreement the North American
Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is amended by an
environmental treaty. It is signed by NAFTA’s three members:
Canada, the United States and Mexico. The Commission on
Environmental Cooperation promotes its goals and controls its
defaults.
An important role plays the environmental protection in a
transboundary context and with it the EIA. Canada, the United
States and Mexico have national requirements to the EIA. But
because of the differences in legislation, administration and
appliance, the three countries need to find solutions for a
transboundary cooperation. As demanded in the agreement
the Commission shall establish recommendations for the
border areas concerning the
• Assessment and evaluation of environmental impacts
of certain projects.
• Mitigation of the environmental impacts.
• Cooperation between the affected countries.
A strong environmental agreement and with it a strong EIA
could be an important step towards the integration of
environmental aspects into world trade. It gains importance
especially in terms of NAFTA’s possible enlargement including
all Latin American countries.
The paper is based on a current Ph.D. thesis at the Berlin
University of Technology. It discusses possible solutions to the
problem (e.g., twinning for projects, empowerment of
institutions).
Phase 1B of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project: A
Transboundary Impact Assessment Case Study
Willemse, Nico E; Southern African Institute for
Environmental Assessment, Robert Mugabe ave.,
Ausspanplatz, Windhoek, Namibia. ++ (0)61 284 2726.
versacon@iway.na
The LHWP was developed to curb the projected increase in
water demand in South Africa’s Gauteng Province while
making water Lesotho’s only export commodity. The project
promised to benefit grassroots people and boost economic
development but instead was publicized for severe social
harm, corruption and negative impacts on the environment. A
full EIA was done that recognized transboundary impacts but
did not consider such impacts in detail. An Instream Flow
Requirement (IFR) study was done after Phase 1B of the
LHWP had commenced, and the altered flow of the Senqu-
Orange River has negative impacts on the middle and lower
Orange River and its riparian states:
• Transboundary impact on the environment and its
users
• Biodiversity threats
• Promotion of water borne diseases
• Eeffects of changes in geomorphology and hydrology
of the river
• Aggravating water scarcity in the region
• Orange River Mouth Ramsar site
• Lessons learned
• The role of political power in transboundary
development projects
• Negative effects of hurried project
implementation
• The need for broader consultation during
development
• Failure to adequately acknowledge
transboundary impacts
• Negative effects
CS 18.1 THE MARRAKECH ACTION
PLAN AND FOLLOW-UP
Building Awareness of IA Capacity Building
Among Decision Makers
Mercier, Jean-Roger; World Bank, 1818 H Street NW,
Room MC5-139, Washington, DC 20036 France. +1-202-
473-5565. jmercier@worldbank.org
Leonard, Peter; Hydro Québec, 75 Blvd René Lévesque
Ouest, 10th FLoor, Montréal, PQ H4A 3M7 Canada. 1
514 289 2211 ext:4282. leonard.peter@hydro.qc.ca
Ramasar, Vasna; Private, 464 Frere Road, Glenwood,
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal 4001 South Africa. 083 564
4841. v.ramasar@gmail.com
A four-pager has been prepared in draft version. Its
objective is to inform decision makers about the benefits
of capacity building for Impact Assessment as a key tool
to enhance governance at regional, national, subnational
and/or local levels. The draft will be presented
and finalized with the participants in this very
interactive session.
Identifying and Adopting Effective Approaches
for Capacity Building
Abaza, Hussein; UNEP Economics & Trade Unit, 11-13
Chemin des Anemones, Geneva, Chatelaine 1219
Switzerland. +41 22 917 8178. Fax +41 22 917 8075.
hussein.abaza@unep.ch
In order to enhance national and intitutional
environmental assessmentt capacity building, it is
essential to identify and adopt effective approaches for
capacity building. The development of such programmes
should initially be based on a needs assessment
conducted by national experts and institutions. Such a
needs assessment should include the identification of
target groups for capacity building, including policy and
decision makers, and government practitioners, as well
as practitioners in national research institutions, the
private sector, non-governmental organizations,
industry, and financial institutions. It should have a
long-term perspective and go beyond the traditional
approach of formal training courses. The capacity
building programmes need to be geared to address the
development priorities of countries, including how the
enhanced capacity in this area will assist countries
develop sustainable development policies, sustainable
trade, and poverty reduction. National institutions and
experts should take the lead in implementing capacity
building activities and programmes. Based on past
experience and lessons learned, compiling a reference
document on best practices for effective capacity
building should be a useful tool for trainers to design
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