ESIA and SEA services
AUDITERRA does Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs). Our team of consultants and contributors supports clients in defining, anticipating and assessing the biophysical and social impacts of their infrastructure or development projects prior to implementation.
ESIAs are relevant for multiple types of projects or development in transportation (roads, bridges), as well as for harbours (infrastructure repair, dredging), mining and energy (power lines and poles), whether the projects are located in aquatic, terrestrial, urban, agricultural or forest environments.
AUDITERRA works to obtain government approvals and to provide support for authorization and permit applications. The firm conducts ESIAs in accordance with existing legislation: the Environment Quality Act, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, and the World Bank’s “Environmental and Social Framework” for investment projects for some projects in West Africa.
AUDITERRA’s multidisciplinary team of experts identifies the potential environmental consequences of a project and proposes optimal measures to mitigate or compensate for negative impacts, following the steps of an impact study:
- Characterization and description of the biophysical and human receiving environment through field inventories
- Project variation proposals based on identified sensitive environments
- Impact assessment based on regulatory requirements and best practices
- Recommendation of mitigation and compensation measures for negative environmental effects
- Social acceptability analysis
- Development of environmental monitoring and follow-up programs
Finally, AUDITERRA conducts Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEAs) for governmental organizations. A SEA fully and systematically assesses the effects of a government plan, program or policy and proposes alternative solutions. It aims to integrate environmental considerations upstream of decision-making.
AUDITERRA helps proponents and governments improve their practices in environmental and social assessments.
In our ESIA and SEA quality review or audit mandates, we work closely with stakeholders and utilize diverse types of evidence, including documentation, surveys, fieldwork, statistics, and interviews.
We conduct peer reviews and audits on the quality of information and the content of ESIAs and SEAs. In our assessment of the quality of these studies, we always address these two elements:
- Influence: Does the process influence decision-making by addressing relevant issues and providing useful inputs for decision-makers at the right time?
- Information: Does the EA provide the necessary information for an informed decision? Is the information on the impacts of the proposed action clear and rigorous?
We apply both internal and external review criteria to validate and triangulate findings against established indicators and frameworks.
Our investigative and proactive approach is informed by relevant evaluation standards, guidelines, policies, and models related to ESIA and SEA.
We ensure that our conclusions meet the objectives of the review or audit, clearly presenting findings that resonate with the organization and its stakeholders. Additionally, we facilitate organizational learning through an accessible evaluation trail.
The comparative evaluation of project alternatives is an essential step in an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA); it involves determining the best alternative for an infrastructure project by considering a variety of issues, including economic, environmental, social, and project cost aspects, and addressing the concerns of the stakeholders involved.
In support of engineering consulting firms, our work in Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA) allows the integration of both qualitative and quantitative data from the project’s impact assessments conducted by the firm, which we then convert and combine mathematically. Our geomatics specialists collaborate with those from the firms to map constraints in order to spatialize the alternatives, which are subsequently evaluated and compared based on environmental impacts.
AUDITERRA ensures to support the decision-maker in their final decision by indicating which elements of the project have a clearly positive or negative impact on the considered alternatives.
Governmental or multilateral organisations work and invest in programs to address a variety of environmental, SD and social issues, gaps, needs and limitations. After their investment, the key stakeholders are interested in knowing:
- How a program or policy is performing ?
- How a program can do better ?
- What changes could make the program or policy more effective, relevant, and efficient?
AUDITERRA undertakes all types of evaluation work (ex-ante, interim or mid-term, ex-post, etc) and has expertise in the use of a broad range of evaluation methods and tools. The firm supports its clients by contributing to organisational learning in and among the organisations, their direct clients/partners and other stakeholders.
Evaluation is an approach that can help stakeholders and managers answer questions on program or policy performance and decide whether they should be continued or improved. AUDITERRA’s methodology evolves to remain relevant and reflect sustainable development and global concerns.
AUDITERRA’s methodology includes integrated measures around the 2030 Agenda. The firm helps clients monitor and evaluate national and international Environmental/SD projects, programs, organizations, networks, sectors, and institutions. Our theoretical knowledge of Evaluation is complemented by extensive practical experience.
Environmental auditing services
Environmental auditing consist of:
Performance audits and organizational diagnostics
Identifying organizational strategies, goals and indicators
Drafting sustainable development policies and action plans
Analysis, mapping and integrated management of organizational risks
Verification of environmental practices, data and liabilities
Evaluating sustainable development and environmental programs
AUDITERRA can support its clients in creating strategic plans or auditing and optimizing their activities, programs and policies, all of which results in:
Better risk mitigation and reduction measures
Improved financial, social and environmental performance
Better integration of environmental, social and economic dimensions
Increased oversight and better governance of roles and responsibilities
Compliance with laws and regulations
Greater efficacy of plans, programs and policies.