Academics call for reform of environmental impact studies on projects

[webfact]

Academics call for reform of environmental impact studies on projects
By Pratch Rujivanarom
The Nation

 

 

BANGKOK: -- A STRATEGIC Environment Assessment (SEA) was proposed by academics to serve as a sustainable solution for conflicts over major development projects such as the Krabi coal-fired power plant.

 

A team of academics and public policy campaigners discussed the current problems of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental and Health Impact Assessment (EHIA) process at a forum held at Chulalongkorn University yesterday.

 

The forum agreed that the current common practice of an EIA/EHIA study in Thailand did not encourage environmental protection and public participation in a project. Instead, it was used as a tool to legitimise a controversial project.

 

At the forum organised by Chulalongkorn University Social Research Institute, the panellists concluded that the EIA/EHIA study procedure must be reformed and the SEA must be implemented first to select the most suitable policy before projects are planned.

 

Campaigner Prasitchai Nu-nuan from Save Andaman from Coal said that the current EIA/EHIA studying process contained many improper practices that led to conflicts and problems afterwards.

 

Full story: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30307792

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-03-03

[Srikcir]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

A STRATEGIC Environment Assessment (SEA) was proposed by academics to serve as a sustainable solution for conflicts over major development projects such as the Krabi coal-fired power plant.

Any of these academics oppose the 2016 draft constitution in the referendum?

I ask because the soon to be endorsed constitution completely changes how environmental reviews are done. No civil lawsuits can stop any government-endorsed project. Environmental reports are to consider "national security" (as defined by the government) over environmental consideration. So the SEA now proposed is too late. It would basically be unconstitutional.

[Brer Fox]

Clean, green energy is fine if Thailand does not want industry or employment. Industry, factories and the like do not work on night/day power or the fickleness of wind power. Somewhere in the system there needs to be a base load to keep the country running.

An opinion on this link below for those who might be interested. I make no comment except the above.

 

http://pickeringpost.com/story/green-enemies-of-the-environment/6953