TECHNOLOGY-TRANSFER OF ENVIRONMENTAL-IMPACT ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGIES TO DEVELOPED AND DEVELOPING-COUNTRIES

More than 50 environmental impact assessment methodologies have been d eveloped and used throughout the world to evaluate the impacts resulti ng from the construction and operation of a wide diversity of activiti es. These methods can be classified into five different types: (1) ad hoc, (2) checklist, (3) network, (4) matrix, and (5) overlay-each havi ng strengths and weaknesses. No single type of methodology can meet al l the needs for impact assessment of a given human activity. It is, th erefore, necessary to synthesize from the available approaches one tha t will meet the technical, legal, and sociopolitical needs of a partic ular situation or country. This paper summarizes and illustrates the v arious types of methods and emphasizes the need to develop an appropri ate method pertinent to a particular human activity. It also demonstra tes how such methods can be synthesized and implemented in their uniqu e setting from a global perspective.