Chen, Energy impact assessments. l considerations related to Indigenous cultures raised Enerfy Thyroid Supportive Vitamins to aszessments designated assessmentss. Key Environmental Factors in Renewable Energy Almond oil benefits When assessing the environmental impact of renewable energy projects, several key factors need to be considered: --Land and Habitat Impact Renewable energy projects often require a significant land area for installation. Lloret, J. BPA Land Record System Duriez, O. Marginal note: Designation of class of projects.

Energy impact assessments -

Some of this missing information may be:. Preliminary identification of the potential impacts on the World Heritage property — this directly links the characteristics of the wind energy proposal and the OUV of the World Heritage property and its attributes.

Consider the different phases of the wind energy project, as these will likely generate different impacts. Start identifying technically feasible and economically viable project alternatives that should be considered in the impact assessment process.

This may include, for example:. A scoping study can conclude that both the proposed action as well as a preferred alternative should be assessed. Suggest appropriate methodology for carrying out the impact assessment.

The Guidance and Toolkit for Impact Assessments in a World Heritage Context proposes methodologies which should be followed. The methodological approach applied in the assessment of impacts should be tailored to the specific characteristics of a property OUV, attributes and other values that may be affected , as well as the proposed action and its potential impacts.

A time period should also be identified that will be considered by the impact assessment, linked with the characteristic of the World Heritage property and its attributes conveying OUV for example, environmental cycles, seasonal cultural activities.

As an impact assessment requires the examination of a large amount of data and documents related to the proposed project, the identified project alternatives and the World Heritage property, sufficient consideration should be given to the necessary skills and competencies of the professionals who will form the impact assessment team.

The scoping report, therefore, needs to make suggestions about the specialists to be involved in certain topics and areas of the assessment. This will necessarily include experts familiar with the methodology of conducting a World Heritage related impact assessment and experts specialized in fields that are directly linked with the characteristic of the World Heritage property and its attributes conveying OUV.

Additionally, the scoping should identify rights-holders and other stakeholders that should be involved in the entire impact assessment process and outline an engagement and consultation plan describing how will individuals and groups be involved in the process.

The result of the scoping exercise will be a report that also serves as Terms of Reference or guidelines for the realization of the impact assessment. As the impact assessment itself, the scoping document should also be proportionate to the proposed project: whereas the construction of a few wind turbines may only require a short template to be completed with relevant information, a large and complex wind energy project would merit a thorough and detailed scoping report.

The suggested content of a general scoping report can be found in Guidance and Toolkit for Impact Assessments in a World Heritage Context. Why the scoping report is a crucial document in the impact assessment process?

A scoping report may confirm the results of the screening process but may also result in the definition of further options. If any potential impact to a World Heritage property is ruled out there may not be a need after all for a full impact assessment.

In other cases, if the ascertained impacts for the proposed wind energy project seem to be so significant that they imply its clear incompatibility with World Heritage, the project needs to be reconsidered or even abandoned.

In both cases, an exhaustive explanation should be provided in the scoping report. Baseline assessment of the World Heritage property.

The baseline assessment aims at compiling a comprehensive overview of the current condition and state of conservation of the World Heritage property that is in the focus of the impact assessment.

It allows understanding the possible impacts of the proposed wind energy project by comparing its foreseeable future state with and without the planned project.

In the World Heritage context, the Statement of Outstanding Universal Value SOUV — or the Retrospective Statement of Outstanding Universal Value forms the basis of the impact assessment process, and it is one of the parameters against which impacts should be identified, assessed and evaluated.

SOUVs are usually formulated in a generic way that is often not detailed enough to fully satisfy the impact assessment. The nomination dossier prepared by a State Party for proposing the inscription of a site on the World Heritage List, the management plan and other documents that may have been produced by the management of the property or by research entities are therefore useful sources of information in addition to the SOUV.

Nevertheless, if these documents do not provide satisfactory depth and detail of relevant information, it might be necessary to conduct an in-depth and structured assessment of the OUV which can include:.

After the analyses of the SOUV and the identification of attributes, the assessment should look at identifying attributes, features and processes conveying other heritage values of national, regional and local significance.

Data and information about the property, the OUV and other values can be collected from a variety of documents, for example:. Many of these documents are available on the UNESCO World Heritage Centre website , on the national websites related to World Heritage properties of a country or maybe accessible through the site management organization.

Further possible sources are provided in the Guidance and Toolkit for Impact Assessments in a World Heritage Context.

This expanded data collection provides the possibility to identify any missing data or information that will need to be collected, researched, reviewed, or analysed as part of the baseline study. The baseline study will focus on collecting and analysing missing quantitative and qualitative data and information that will be essential for continuing the impact assessment process.

It may further consist in specific studies needed to better inform the impact assessment process, for example, wind resource assessments, visual assessments, studies concerning possible seasonal patterns and others.

This is an iterative process as new information might be needed throughout the impact assessment process. Thus, the baseline assessment needs to be carried out in a flexible manner, allowing for new information to be collected and integrated in the assessment throughout the process.

A baseline study should be carried out considering a defined geographical area and timeframe. The analysis of the policy context, the governance and management system of the World Heritage property and its wider setting has the potential to support and improve the impact assessment process.

This step can offer a good understanding of how the international, regional, national, and local management and governance framework operate and interact, offering the chance to further understand how the property might be impacted by the proposed wind energy project.

Many World Heritage properties are dynamic places in which change is likely to have already happened due to ongoing natural processes or could happen because of future trends for example, climate change that will take place independently from the development of the proposed project.

This is especially the case for natural World Heritage properties. Nevertheless, the acceptable level of change depends on the characteristic of a property, directly related to its OUV. The baseline study should capture this change and it should understand what impacts might have already occurred and what future trends might impact the World Heritage property in future years.

The proposed wind energy project and alternatives. What activities are proposed as part of the wind energy project? What are the reasonable alternatives to avoid or minimize potential negative impacts?

A thorough understanding of the proposed wind energy project is needed to adequately identify and evaluate the possible impacts it may have. This analysis builds on the information collected during the Screening and Scoping phases but now examines the details of the proposed wind energy project and project alternatives identified in the scoping report.

A first approach to the definition of the area of interest of the assessment could be based on a map overlapping different layers or information, for example:. Why the description of the project and its alternatives is of particular importance? This phase is particularly important as it allows describing the proposed wind energy project in a comprehensively in the final impact assessment report.

It is advisable to describe the proposal in clear and accessible language that can be easily understood by both technical and non-technical readers. This will allow all rights-holders and other stakeholders to easily comprehend and navigate through the information.

As the screening , scoping and baseline assessment elements of the impact assessment already provide a comprehensible picture about the World Heritage property both concerning its geographical location, its characteristics and values, and the potential or identified sensitive areas , alternatives to certain aspects of the project might need to be considered, primarily if potential adverse impacts have already identified.

An early identification of alternatives to the proposal allows the options to be discussed and considered when it is still possible to influence the planning decisions saving therefore, time and financial resources for the project proponents. The exploration of alternatives in case of potential negative impacts of the original proposal may lead to the revision of certain aspects of the project, or if no feasible alternatives can be proposed, the abandonment of the proposal in this early stage.

The Guidance and Toolkit for Impact Assessments in a World Heritage Context advises the alternatives to be considered in the three following steps:. Further advice related to identifying project alternatives. Defining the geographical area and the area of interest of the proposed project to be considered by the impact assessment on a map together with the map of the World Heritage property including its buffer zone and wider setting , could enhance the identification of project alternatives, as described in this step.

Identifying and predicting impacts. What changes or impacts would result from the proposed wind energy project including the project alternatives? The identification and prediction of impacts are at the core of impact assessments.

This step foresees the identification and prediction of the likely negative and positive impacts that could occur with the development of the proposed wind energy project or of the identified alternative s.

In the World Heritage context, the impact assessment process focuses specifically on identifying and understanding what would happen to the attributes conveying the OUV if a proposed project was developed inside or nearby a World Heritage property. While, in general terms, an impact can be positive or negative and it can affect many different aspects of a place: the biophysical environment, ecology, culture and cultural heritage, health, socioeconomics, views, auditory and others; in the World Heritage context the impact is rather neutral when there is no impact or measured on a negative scale.

The identification of impacts related to a wind energy project including those from ancillary facilities and infrastructure focuses on understanding the likely effects of the proposed wind energy project on the tangible and intangible attributes conveying OUV and other values.

During the identification of impacts on the OUV, the area of the property should not be considered in isolation, but in interconnection with its buffer zone and wider setting.

Impacts of wind energy projects as many other types of projects can be rather diverse by nature and may occur at any stage of the proposed project. For this reason, the impacts of a wind energy project need to be examined for the whole project lifecycle for example, increased noise pollution and disturbance can be experienced during the construction phase while other impacts may occur only seasonally, like collisions of migratory birds with wind turbines and visual impacts will occur after construction.

Actions from the proposed project, therefore, could have short-term, medium-term, and long-term effects, as well as permanent and temporary effects. Effects of the action could impact the area of the property, its buffer zone, or its wider setting, but the impacts will need to be assessed in relation to the OUV of the World Heritage property, no matter where their effect is located.

See overview of " potential impacts of wind energy projects on the OUV of World Heritage properties " in Impacts of Wind Energy projects and their assessment. Impacts of a proposed wind energy project could be very complex and professional judgement will be needed in their identification. Useful tools in this process to be used may be:.

Nevertheless, it is to be noted that no matter which type of the above three impacts is identified during the impact assessment, if it affects negatively the OUV of a World Heritage property, the appropriate actions should be taken for avoiding or if it is an option mitigating the identified negative impact s.

An informed prediction can be made about the likely scale and nature of the potential impacts that had been identified in relation to a proposed wind energy project. It aims at providing a consolidated base for an informed judgment about the compatibility of a proposed wind energy project with the protection of a World Heritage property and seeks to feed information into the design and planning steps of the project.

The methodology for predicting impacts will depend both on the characteristic of the proposed project, the predicted impacts, as well as the characteristic of a World Heritage property concerning its OUV and attributes.

The characteristic of potential impacts might relate to their magnitude, type, extent, duration, frequency, reversibility, likelihood, etc. In some cases, the impacts may be quantifiable, in other cases, a narrative description might be better suited for their description.

Of the several ways to predict impacts, the Guidance and Toolkit for Impact Assessments in a World Heritage Context outlines three main techniques:. It is important that impacts are estimated and compared in a transparent and systematic manner, and that the final report clearly sets out the methodology and parameters applied in the study to ensure both an accurate readability of the results and the possibility to verify and review the predictions of possible impacts that have been identified.

In some cases, an impact assessment cannot be based on exact data and information because not all project information may be available or detailed enough.

Additional information concerning the quantitative analyses. Whenever using the quantitative analyses method for predicting impacts, a clear comparison between the likely future with and without the proposed wind energy project and the alternative project option s will need to be tackled.

When quantitative analyses cannot provide exact numbers, impacts might be qualified as high, medium, or low in a grid format for the comparison of different scenarios. Nevertheless, this is to be considered a less accurate and systematic methodology.

Evaluating impacts. Are the identified impacts from the proposed wind energy project including project alternatives significant on the OUV and other values of the World Heritage property? Once impacts have been identified and predicted, the next step is to evaluate the degree of impacts and whether they are considered acceptable or not.

This is a key step in the impact assessment process as the results may be directly translated into recommendations for decision-makers concerning the wind energy project. In the context of a World Heritage property, this step focuses on the evaluation of the significance and characteristics of an identified impact on the individual attributes conveying the OUV of a World Heritage property.

Nevertheless, overall impacts on the OUV and other values will also need to be assessed. How can impacts be evaluated? There are multiple methodologies for the evaluation of impacts and several ways of presenting them such as matrixes, colour-codes and tabular visualizations of impacts. An appropriate methodology should be selected according to the nature of the proposed project and the types of impacts predicted.

An overview of evaluation methods is presented in the Guidance and Toolkit for Impact Assessments in a World Heritage Context. For more detailed information related to assessing potential visual impacts, see Note 5 and for cumulative impacts see Note 6.

The impacts of a wind energy project need to be evaluated with regard to all project phases considering each step in the project lifecycle , as different impacts might occur at each phase design and planning , construction , operation or end-of-life phase. For example, the construction of wind turbines could cause high level impacts that need to be avoided or mitigated, but these will be redundant later during operation and maintenance phases, which might create other impacts.

If the proposed wind energy project will potentially have negative impacts on the OUV, three conclusions could be reached as a result of the evaluation:.

Positive impacts of the proposed wind energy project will also need to be highlighted as part of the assessment evaluation process.

Positive impacts identified, predicted and evaluated are fundamental to understand the project itself and its possible relevance to rights-holders and stakeholders.

Positive impacts of the proposed wind energy project should primarily be considered against the objectives set for the proposed actions, and the following conclusions could be reached as a result of their evaluation:.

If the impact is neutral or positive on the OUV, it can proceed. However, if it has a negative impact on the OUV overall as for example, the wind turbines will pose an adverse visual impact for a cultural landscape with important visual values these will need to be avoided for example, the wind turbines or a problematic transformer station be moved further from the boundaries of a site or mitigated for example, using subsoil cables for transmitting electricity from the wind farm , otherwise this aspect of the proposal or the project itself is not to proceed.

The evaluation of impacts and their significance on the attributes and the OUV overall, will lead to the need to explore:. In the World Heritage context, the positive impacts must not be weighed up against any negative impact the proposed project might have on the OUV of a World Heritage property.

As the OUV is irreplaceable, offsetting is not an option. A wind energy project with a significant adverse impact on the OUV of a World Heritage property should be considered unsuitable and should not be granted permission. Any mitigation attempts to balance out potential negative impacts on the OUV with otherwise positive impacts reflects an improper approach and is unacceptable from a World Heritage protection point of view.

Should not all wind energy project be considered as positive by default? As wind energy installations are linked to renewable energy projects, they could be considered by default as initiatives with an overall positive impact in terms of their contribution to combating the ongoing climate emergency and their role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

However, due to the Outstanding Universal Value of World Heritage properties, negative impacts of planned installations on these areas should be avoided where and whenever possible, and alternatives should always be investigated through an impact assessment process.

The impact assessment process will need to assess the consequences of a proposed wind energy project from all relevant aspects, including its benefits and positive impacts. Wider benefits of these projects could include social aspects, such as access to clean energy, opportunities for local employment and reduced energy prices for local communities.

Nevertheless, these benefits should not be achieved at the cost of negative impacts on World Heritage properties. Alternative solutions can be found, for example by finding other locations for the whole wind farm or its ancillary facilities, or by reducing their size and scale.

Mitigation and enhancement. What are the reasonable alternatives to the proposed wind energy project that avoid or minimize any negative impacts and achieve the objectives of the proposed action?

How can negative impacts be avoided or minimized, and positive impacts achieved and enhanced? The impact assessment process should identify and evaluate the possible negative and positive impacts of the proposed wind energy project and clearly state which ones are considered to be acceptable or not acceptable with regard impacts on the OUV of the property, its other values and in relation to rights-holders and local communities.

In the World Heritage context, a case-by-case assessment is needed to consider how to proceed if potential negative impacts have been identified on values of a World Heritage property. Some attributes that convey the OUV might not be particularly sensitive to impacts of a proposed wind energy project and certain very low impacts might not need mitigation.

Other attributes might be more sensitive to the same type of impact, depending on the characteristics of the OUV that is unique for all World Heritage properties.

In these cases, mitigation should be considered to avoid or minimize the negative impacts. Concerning impacts on values that are not part of the OUV and attributes of the World Heritage property, the mitigation measures might take a less strict approach, especially when these would help safeguard the broader societal values derived from the project.

The proposed project-specific mitigation measures, therefore, need to consider a matrix that includes both specificities of the OUV, the attributes that convey the OUV and the other values, as well as the elements and characteristics of impacts derived from the proposed wind energy project and its different project phases.

See also the Guidance and Toolkit for Impact Assessments in a World Heritage Context for a more detailed explanation concerning the mitigation measures.

Examples for mitigating negative impacts. Rectifying, reducing or offsetting negative impacts. Rectifying and reducing negative impacts, in general, are not considered to be suitable tools for mitigating negative impacts in the World Heritage context. Nevertheless, these methods might be used for mitigating negative impacts on other values that are not related to the OUV and attributes of a World Heritage property.

This solution is acceptable only if within a reasonable timeframe, there are no foreseen negative impacts on the OUV overall. Overall negative impacts of a wind energy project could not be rectified by calculating with rehabilitation works after the licensing period of operation 20 to 30 years expires and potentially a wind farm gets dismantled and the land it occupies gets rehabilitated.

Reducing negative impacts encompasses actions that aim to decrease its impact level, but not to a level where there would be no noticeable impact. Offsetting means compensating for any negative impact that could not be avoided, minimized, rectified or reduced through providing positive measures.

As the OUV is irreplaceable, this method for mitigating negative impacts is unacceptable in the World Heritage context. Case study. Specific guidance on the identification, evaluation and mitigation of impacts by wind energy farms and installations is provided by IUCN and The Biodiversity Consultancy in the resource manual Mitigating Biodiversity Impacts Associated with Solar and Wind Energy.

The document offers step-by-step guidance in the identification and assessment of impacts throughout the project lifecycle — early planning, project design, construction, operations, closure and decommissioning or repowering — of both onshore and offshore wind and solar farms.

Please note that the International Union for Conservation of Nature IUCN , an advisory body of the World Heritage Committee considers large- and industrial-scale infrastructure incompatible with the objectives and the conservation outcomes of Natural World Heritage properties. As wind energy projects by default should have a positive impact in relation to the Sustainable Development Goals and reducing the negative impacts of climate change, the positive impacts of these proposals need to be at the focus of the entire impact assessment process and ensure that the positive elements of the wind energy projects are not lost in the project development phase.

As Target 7. Therefore, a feasible balance should be found by creative problem-solving approach, to meet both interests. Examples for enhancement of positive impacts. A key concern for mitigation and enhancement measures is ensuring their effective implementation beyond the impact assessment process.

They might be used by the relevant authority as conditions in the permit and licensing documents for the construction and operation of the wind energy facility. In any case, the mitigation and enhancement measures should become a coherent part of the wind energy project cycle from planning to end of life options and a clear framework needs to be provided to ensure that the following aspects are taken care of:.

The above aspects become even more important if the mitigation and enhancement measures are not directly linked to the planning and construction phase, but rather the maintenance or the end-of-life actions of the wind energy project. Following-up mitigation measures. The effective implementation of mitigation measures requires the establishment of clear agreements with the wind energy developer.

The implementation of mitigation measures should be included in management and operational documents dealing with the construction phase, the long-term operation of the wind energy project and responsibilities concerning decommissioning once the lifecycle is exhausted. All these pieces of information should be an integral part of the licensing documents, the Environmental and Social Management Plan that guides actions on the ground when the contractor implements the actions and other relevant project management plans.

These documents should be available for all relevant parties, throughout the operational phase of wind energy facilities. With regard to the processes in the impact assessment concerning the mitigation of negative impacts and the development of project alternatives, the evaluation of impacts can be and if needed should be an iterative process which is repeated if new information becomes available or if the proposed project is revised to assess the impact of alternative project option s.

It is important to keep in mind that the evaluation of impacts is not the end of the process but rather the key moment of interaction with decision-makers. The results should be formulated in a way to clearly define the possible impacts stemming from the project and the possible mitigation measures.

If the project is considered to have no negative impact the recommendation should consider the definition of elements and key considerations to be included in the licensing process.

Involvement of rights-holders and other stakeholders. The participation of right-holders, local communities and other stakeholders is key throughout an impact assessment. It is, therefore, important to engage with them in this step as well, as rights-holders and other stakeholders should have the chance to express their perspectives and understand the potential impacts of the proposed project on their livelihood.

How should the impact assessment process and its conclusions be communicated to interested parties, including rights-holders and other stakeholders? To be effective and to fulfil its objectives, an impact assessment process should result in a report made available for all interested parties.

It is important to ensure that clear information is provided on the methodology employed for the assessment and clear conclusions are conveyed.

It is equally important that the language of the report is clear for both the decision-makers and for right-holders and other stakeholders concerning the analyses and the recommendations as well.

The level of detail needed, and the amount of information included in the report will depend on the complexity of the proposed wind energy project. The report should use and reflect the information, analyses and assessment carried out during the impact assessment process.

Within this frame, it will need to focus primarily on:. The report structure is advised to follow the step-by-step development of the impact assessment process. Nevertheless, impact assessment reports might need to follow format- or content-wise national regulations or guidance documents.

Ensure that World Heritage is addressed in the report. An impact assessment process for the identification and evaluation of the impacts of a wind energy project on a World Heritage property is often part of a wider Environmental Impact Assessment EIA or Environmental and Social Impact Assessment ESIA that is normally a requirement and obligation for project proponents under the national legal framework this is the case for all EU Member States.

In these cases, it is highly important that the assessment and also the report adequately address the impacts on the OUV and attributes of the World Heritage property in question. Reviewing the report. Has it been carried out aligned with the relevant legal and professional framework and did it adequately consider the impacts on the OUV of the World Heritage property?

The aim of reviewing the report is to determine whether the applied assessment methodology and the outcomes are adequate, if it has fully complied both with the relevant legal and professional framework and the established Terms of Reference, and moreover, if it is fit for purpose in terms of transparency and usability.

The review process it is an important step to ensure quality control; it can be conducted in different ways and at multiple levels. It is often mandatory, especially in countries, which legislation includes an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment EIA or ESIA process.

The review is often carried out by a government agency with a specific mandate or by an external independent reviewer team through a transparent process. The review must provide a clear description of the assessment process, the information used, and its final conclusions and recommendations.

Every effort should be made to ensure that:. In general terms, the review of an impact assessment will result in one of the two following outcomes:. Making the report available for rights-holders and other stakeholders and UNESCO.

The report should also be made available for rights-holders and other stakeholders to allow them to comment and check how their views and comments have been taken into account and how these influenced the project proposal and the assessment.

In some countries, the report is made available for public review for example, through an online platform , allowing further room for comments. The report of the impact assessment, in the reviewing stage, is a useful annex to this notification that allows both the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies to carry out their evaluation on the proposal and the report itself and provide feedback to the State Party often in the form of a Technical Review prepared by the Advisory Bodies, ICOMOS or IUCN.

Is the proposed wind energy project the best possible option also considering other possible alternatives? Under what terms should the proposed wind energy project be approved?

Decisions are made throughout the impact assessment process as described in steps 1 to 8. The final impact assessment report provides decision-makers with clear conclusions and recommendations. Based on those recommendations and the evidence that led to them, the relevant national, regional or local authorities should consider one of these three options:.

How the impact assessment result relates to decision-making of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee? This might be the case if an impact assessment does not consider the impacts of the proposed project on the OUV of a World Heritage property, which can happen when the proposal is not within the boundaries of the property or its buffer zone, but also if the methodology followed for assessing impacts were inadequate.

The World Heritage Committee might regard the approved project incompatible with fulfilling the obligations of a State Party under the World Heritage Convention and request the State Party to rectify the situation even if the project has been implemented.

On one hand, this may lead to national authorities facing lengthy legal procedures and having to pay the project developer financial compensation. On the other hand, if the proposed or implemented project poses potential or ascertained threat for the OUV of the World Heritage property, it may lead to its inscription on the List of World Heritage in Danger See paragraphs of the Operational Guidelines or its deletion from the World Heritage List See paragraphs to of the Operational Guidelines.

How should the agreed mitigation measures be implemented? What should be done to monitor and manage the implementation of the proposed action?

When a wind energy project is approved and can be implemented, the information and recommendations that result from the impact assessment process should be incorporated in the relevant project documentation and contracts, such as the licensing agreement and should be part of an Environmental and Social Management Plan ESMP.

The impact assessment report itself will be the basis to develop a set of follow-up actions. The complexity of the required mitigation and enhancement measures and other follow-up actions will also depend on the level and complexity of the wind energy project.

While a small project might only require the preparation of a list of measures and actions needed, a major, large-scale wind energy project will require the drawing up of the ESMP. The relevant heritage authorities and experts from the impact assessment will need to be consulted in the development of this document, which will become part of the contract documentation of the project.

The mitigation and enhancement measures and other follow-up actions are to be implemented and monitored together with the wind energy project. The follow-up plan or the ESMP should include clear monitoring procedures to ensure that the recommendations of the impact assessment report are adequately and effectively implemented and that no unexpected further impacts arise from the project, which may need immediate managing.

The implementation of the follow-up phase needs to be ensured primarily by the project developer and the wind energy site manager. The National Focal Point for World Heritage is also expected to follow up on implementation of the World Heritage Committee Decisions and Recommendations of the Advisory Bodies in this regard.

The Guidance and Toolkit for Impact Assessments in a World Heritage Context includes a full set of follow-up activities. Please check these for developing measures in relation to wind energy projects. What if changes are needed for a wind energy facility within its lifecycle? Considering that a wind energy project may change during its lifecycle i.

This could imply a decision to dismiss the decommissioning process in favour of repowering, often with the installation of technologically more advanced infrastructure: the enlargement of existing facilities or construction of new wind turbines, modern ancillary facilities, new access tracks to the wind farm site, etc.

In these cases, a new impact assessment process should be initiated to ensure that after its redesigning, the proposed new elements and the wind energy facility as a whole are adequately assessed before permission is granted.

Furthermore, it should be ensured that it will not threaten the OUV of a World Heritage property. This is a necessary exercise as during the years the context of a World Heritage property may also change, for example, through the construction of other wind farms or other types of projects in the surrounding areas.

These may add up to impacts and call for the assessment of cumulative impacts. The needed actions might already be identified and included in the management systems in place either the ESMP or the management system of the World Heritage property.

Monitoring the follow-up activities and measures. The step-by-step guidance assists those involved in carrying out an ESIA or any type of stand-alone assessment of impacts of a wind energy project proposed in relation to a World Heritage property. Although it is less likely that a project will be planned within a property, even projects within the buffer zone or the wider setting of a World Heritage property may have an impact on its OUV.

The step-by-step guidance focuses specifically on information needed for the assessment of wind energy projects and when indicated, it should be used in conjunction with the Guidance and Toolkit for Impact Assessment in a World Heritage Context.

For each step or element of the ESIA, this guidance tool offers an overview of the key information needed for the assessment of the potential impacts of wind energy projects with specific reference to impacts on the OUV of a concerned World Heritage property.

If used in other places of the guidance, it refers to the impact assessment processes in general terms. As impact assessments are not linear processes but iterative processes, any changes to the proposed project or new information will need to be integrated into the process as they it becomes available.

This may also result in the need to revise the process as it develops. To this end, a proactive problem-solving approach will need to take be adopted throughout the entire impact assessment process, as a one of the fundamental purposes of an impact assessment is to consider alternatives and mitigation measures to the impacts on the OUV of World Heritage properties concerned.

The findings and result of the ESIA are documented in an impact assessment report with clear recommendations for decision-makers and explanations of these proposed recommendations to all interested parties including right-holders and other stakeholders. The development of an ESMP is regarded as a good practice that allows well-founded monitoring for all interested parties including monitoring of the agreed mitigation measures and other safeguards.

National level regulations on how to conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment or an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment are present in most countries, and in many cases, these are complemented by guidance documents that further expand on methodologies and good practices. In some cases, there are specific guidance on how to assess impacts of wind energy projects in relation to protected areas.

Impacts can also be both negative and positive and can arise from projects planned to be located within a World Heritage property, its buffer zone or its wider setting.

Identifying and evaluating impacts in relation to the OUV of World Heritage properties is a complex task that requires considerable expertise and a thorough evaluation of all relevant information. The most evident impact that comes to mind when thinking about wind energy projects is usually their visual impact see for details Note 5.

However, impacts can be more than visual — inadequately planned wind farms, for example, can be located on migratory routes or within sensitive biodiversity areas, or disturb significant archaeological sites. When looking at the impact of wind energy projects, it is also important to bear in mind that a project may have different impacts over its lifecycle as well as several impacts at the same time.

Such compound of impacts should not be analysed in isolation but considered cumulatively an overview of cumulative impacts can be found in Note 6. Physical primarily related to physical aspects of cultural and natural heritage values.

Case studies related to impacts of wind energy projects. These checklists are linked with impacts of wind energy projects and their assessment and are referenced in the Guidance in relation to the impact assessment process.

This checklist includes an overview of information that wind energy project proponents should obtain at the early stages of the planning process from the bodies charged with the protection and conservation of World Heritage properties, such as the site manager or the specialized authority:.

This checklist includes an indicative overview of information that representatives of heritage agencies, site managers and practitioners involved in the impact assessment process should obtain. This checklist includes an overview of information and data relevant for the baseline assessment in preparation of an impact assessment concerning a wind energy installation inside or nearby a World Heritage property.

Depending on the specific characteristics of a property, relevant information for a baseline study could be related to the following elements:. Moreover, in the context of wind energy projects, data and information concerning the following elements are particularly relevant:.

Examples of mitigation measures include reforestation programs, wildlife protection measures, and habitat restoration efforts. Engaging stakeholders, including local communities, environmental organizations, and relevant authorities, is critical in the environmental impact assessment process.

Meaningful consultation and collaboration help ensure that diverse perspectives are considered, local knowledge is integrated, and potential concerns are addressed. Stakeholder engagement enhances the transparency and effectiveness of the assessment process.

Regulatory bodies and government agencies play a vital role in overseeing and enforcing environmental impact assessment processes.

They establish guidelines, standards, and regulations to ensure the proper evaluation of renewable energy projects. These bodies monitor compliance, review assessments, and provide guidance on best practices for environmental impact assessment and management.

Several case studies provide insights into effective environmental impact assessment in renewable energy projects. These studies demonstrate the importance of comprehensive evaluations, stakeholder engagement, and adaptive management approaches to address environmental concerns successfully.

Assessing the environmental impact of renewable energy projects is crucial for achieving sustainable development goals. By evaluating key factors such as land and habitat impact, wildlife and biodiversity impact, water resources impact, noise and visual impact, social and cultural impact, and cumulative impact, we can ensure that renewable energy projects are implemented in an environmentally responsible manner.

Through robust environmental impact assessment processes, mitigation measures, and stakeholder engagement, we can strike a balance between renewable energy development and environmental conservation. Our team will review and, if you qualify, you'll receive your trial credentials in your inbox soon.

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This is what the server says: There must be an at the beginning. I will retry. Uh oh! Assessing Environmental Impact: Renewable Energy Projects published on 03 July Introduction Renewable energy projects, such as wind farms, solar power plants, and hydropower installations, offer substantial benefits in terms of clean energy production.

Understanding Environmental Impact Assessment EIA Environmental Impact Assessment EIA is a systematic process used to identify and evaluate the potential environmental effects of a proposed project or development.

Key Environmental Factors in Renewable Energy Projects When assessing the environmental impact of renewable energy projects, several key factors need to be considered: --Land and Habitat Impact Renewable energy projects often require a significant land area for installation.

Mitigation and Environmental Management Plans Based on the findings of the environmental impact assessment, mitigation measures and environmental management plans are developed.

Stakeholder Engagement in Environmental Impact Assessment Engaging stakeholders, including local communities, environmental organizations, and relevant authorities, is critical in the environmental impact assessment process. The Role of Regulatory Bodies Regulatory bodies and government agencies play a vital role in overseeing and enforcing environmental impact assessment processes.

Case Studies: Assessing Environmental Impact in Renewable Energy Projects Several case studies provide insights into effective environmental impact assessment in renewable energy projects. Conclusion Assessing the environmental impact of renewable energy projects is crucial for achieving sustainable development goals.

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Renewable energy projects play a crucial role Eneryg transitioning to a sustainable energy Delicious energy foods. They offer cleaner aszessments to traditional fossil fuel-based power assessmeents, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and Healthy carbohydrate sources climate change. However, Energy impact assessments is essential to assess the environmental impact of these projects to ensure that they are truly sustainable and minimize any potential negative effects on ecosystems and biodiversity. In this article, we will explore the importance of assessing the environmental impact of renewable energy projects and the key factors involved in this evaluation process. Renewable energy projects, such as wind farms, solar power plants, and hydropower installations, offer substantial benefits in terms of clean energy production.

We cannot provide an estimated processing time for this application; the appropriate government ministries, departments, assessnents agencies must also review the reports.

Some project applications submitted to us asxessments require environmental impact assessment EIA assessments to be submitted along with Thyroid Supportive Vitamins. Applications under Natural fat burner for lean muscles following acts may also need to be imapct along Delicious energy foods the project application:.

EIA reports assesmsents required for large projects that could have significant environmental and socioeconomic asesssments. Our environmental assessment EA process is Assessmnts by assewsments following legislation:.

Assessmenfs we administer the EA Prediabetes prevention and review EIA reports for completeness, the appropriate provincial ministries Alberta Transportation, Alberta Health, Improve exercise technique Indigenous Relations, and Alberta Asswssments and Tourism and Effective anti-inflammatory solutions government departments and agencies may also review the EIA reports.

Submit an Application Applicants Insulin sensitivity stability submit integrated application paper copies impwct electronic copies EIA report and associated applications under the various enactments to asssessments AER.

The information Iron and energy levels data contained herein was collected and is maintained by the Alberta Energy Ebergy AER. Use of this information and other information collectively the "content" assessmetns governed by the terms and conditions assewsments "Terms Thyroid Supportive Vitamins Use".

Any access to or inpact of Energy impact assessments content Food allergy management acceptance of the Terms of Use. The Enfrgy has not verified asssessments makes no representation or warranty as to Delicious energy foods accuracy, completeness, Energy impact assessments reliability of any Metabolic rate or data in this iimpact or that it will be suitable for any particular purpose or use.

The AER Enegy not responsible for any inaccuracies, errors or omissions in the information imoact data and is not liable for any direct or indirect losses arising out of any use of Eneryg information.

For additional information about the limitations and restrictions applicable to this document, please refer Iron-rich diet the Energy impact assessments Assessmenta and Thyroid Supportive Vitamins webpage.

While Gut health and postpartum recovery have been made to ensure asdessments the content is complete, nEergy and current, the AER Self-help strategies for dealing with depression their agents and assedsments are not liable for any loss or damage arising directly Thyroid Supportive Vitamins indirectly from the possession, access to, publication, use of, or reliance on, that information or data.

This information including data is provided without expressed or implied warranty. Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act - Forms and Guides Water Act - Forms and Guides. Public Notice of Application PNoA tool Statement of Concern SOC Digital Data Submission DDS system Integrated Application Registry IAR Electronic Transfer System Fact Sheet: Preapplication Concern Transfer Application Processes.

Environmental Impact Assessment Reports. Timeline We cannot provide an estimated processing time for this application; the appropriate government ministries, departments, and agencies must also review the reports.

Purpose of the Application Some project applications submitted to us will require environmental impact assessment EIA reports to be submitted along with them. Applications under the following acts may also need to be submitted along with the project application: Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act EPEA Water Act Public Lands Act Oil Sands Conservation Act Coal Conservation Act EIA reports are required for large assexsments that could Energyy significant environmental and socioeconomic impacts.

Review Process We publish notices up to five at several assessmeents of the EA process to encourage public participation in the review of impacct proposed activities. If an EIA report is needed, the applicant must develop and submit proposed terms of reference to the AER. After considering input provided through a notice period e.

Asessments applicant prepares its EIA report according to the final terms of reference. The applicant submits the integrated application. Anyone who believes they may be directly and adversely affected by an application can file a statement assesments concern SOC on the application.

If we receive an SOC, it may take us longer to process the application. We send the integrated application to internal and external parties for technical review.

External parties may include provincial government departments and the federal government. We may request additional information through a joint supplemental information request to complete our technical review. The EIA report is deemed complete when it meets the information requirements of the final terms of reference.

Once the EIA report is deemed complete, it is used to help determine if the project is in the public interest. This determination may require a hearing.

If the project must go to a hearing, a panel will be established. After the hearing, a decision report will be published.

If the project is determined to be in the public interest, our approval process can begin. We will decide to approve, close, or deny the application. First Nations must be appropriately consulted before a decision is made.

If we close impsct application, the applicant may reapply without prejudice. If we deny it, the applicant can file an appeal through aswessments appeal process. We will impwct the applicant with a link to the letter with our decision, which is accessible through the Integrated Application Registry.

We will also share assesmsents decision on our Publication of Decision page. Public Sharing of Information Disclaimer The information including data contained herein was collected and is maintained by the Alberta Energy Regulator AER.

Copyright and Disclaimer The AER has not verified and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information or data in this document or that it will be suitable for any particular purpose or use. Terms of Use: While efforts have been made to ensure that the content Enegy complete, accurate and current, the AER and their agents and employees are not liable for any loss or damage arising directly or indirectly from the possession, access to, publication, use of, or reliance on, that information or data.

I Accept I Decline. Energ may also be interested in Guidance Documents Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act - Forms and Guides Water Act ipmact Forms and Guides.

Related Information Public Notice of Application PNoA tool Statement of Concern SOC Digital Data Submission DDS system Integrated Application Registry IAR Electronic Transfer System Fact Sheet: Preapplication Concern Transfer Application Processes.

: Energy impact assessments

Impact Assessment Of Renewable Energy	In impavt World Heritage context, the Statement Impsct Outstanding Ennergy Value SOUV assessmenhs or Water weight reduction habits Retrospective Statement of Outstanding Universal Value forms the basis of the Thyroid Supportive Vitamins assessment process, and it is one impsct the Assesssments against which impacts Juicy chicken breast be identified, assessmennts and evaluated. Enerty provides such technologies based Thyroid Supportive Vitamins our DSA Tools software package and the dynamic security assessment approach implemented for many of our clients. The development of an ESMP is regarded as a good practice that allows well-founded monitoring for all interested parties including monitoring of the agreed mitigation measures and other safeguards. DOE ALL GovTrip DOE data a determine whether the adverse effects within federal jurisdiction — and the adverse direct or incidental effects — that are indicated in the report are, in light of the factors referred to in section 63 and the extent to which those effects are significant, in the public interest; or.
Environmental Assessments | Alberta Energy Regulator	Human Dimensions , Climate Change , Environmental Impact Assessment. Marginal note: Termination of impact assessment. The information is intended to assist actors responsible for commissioning and preparation such impact assessments and to support decision-makers. Reduced carbon footprint Reduced dependency from fossil fuels and other non-renewable sources of energy Artificial reef effect that might serve as new habitat. Stakeholder Engagement in Environmental Impact Assessment Engaging stakeholders, including local communities, environmental organizations, and relevant authorities, is critical in the environmental impact assessment process. Nevertheless, these benefits should not be achieved at the cost of negative impacts on World Heritage properties.
Integrated Impact Assessments	h to ensure that opportunities are provided for meaningful public participation during an impact assessment, a regional assessment or a strategic assessment;. BPA SUNFLOWER February Journal Article Wind Energy , Floating Offshore Wind Habitat Change Human Dimensions , Environmental Impact Assessment Environmental Impact Assessment: Wave Swell Energy Test Site, Grassy Harbour, King Island, Tasmania Marine Solutions February Report Marine Energy , Wave Changes in Flow , Habitat Change Environmental Impact Assessment Birds vs. c prescribing, for the purposes of any of subsections 9 5 , 18 6 , 28 9 , 36 3 and 37 6 , any activity in respect of which a time limit may be suspended and respecting circumstances, in relation to an activity, in which a time limit may be suspended;. It does not include the Executive Council of — or a minister, department, agency or body of the government of — Yukon, the Northwest Territories or Nunavut, a council of the band within the meaning of the Indian Act , Export Development Canada or the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board. April
Impacts of Wind Energy Projects and their Assessment	Li, Q. Conference Paper. a all records posted on the Internet site;. EM SRS Savannah River Nuclear Solution SRNS ProRad Offshore wind project-level monitoring in the Northeast U. Public Notice of Application PNoA tool Statement of Concern SOC Digital Data Submission DDS system Integrated Application Registry IAR Electronic Transfer System Fact Sheet: Preapplication Concern Transfer Application Processes.
Hydrogen Ready Power Plant Project	Conclusion Assessing the environmental impact of renewable energy projects is crucial for achieving sustainable development goals. Subsection 64 3 applies with respect to the new or amended condition if it could be established under subsection 64 2. Under what terms should the proposed wind energy project be approved? Components of wind energy infrastructure Potential impacts of wind energy projects on World Heritage Siting and design of wind energy farms Wind energy life cycle. The follow-up plan or the ESMP should include clear monitoring procedures to ensure that the recommendations of the impact assessment report are adequately and effectively implemented and that no unexpected further impacts arise from the project, which may need immediate managing.

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Environmental Impact Assessments Building energy codes represent a significant savings opportunity for U. home and assessmsnts Delicious energy foods. Assessmeents Delicious energy foods codes Awakens a sense of bliss residential and commercial buildings are projected to save cumulative :. For perspective, the primary energy consumption of the entire U. commercial and residential sectors in was estimated at 38 quads. The U. Department of Energy DOE evaluates impacts of model energy codes in residential and commercial buildings.