EIANZ 2025 Impact Assessment Symposium

Impact assessment (IA) is always under pressure to do more with less – time, funding and personnel. This has driven a focus on streamlining the processes of IA. A key concern though is that constant streamlining can be a distraction that can lead to poorer environmental and social outcomes. The argument then becomes about defending key parts of the IA process – for example scoping, community involvement, risk aversion and appeals.

What is often forgotten amongst this are the outcomes – what is IA trying to achieve?

This symposium seeks to shift the debate from efficiency of process to achievement of outcomes, and asks a simple question – how can IA deliver better environmental and social outcomes? This question invites us to critically examine all that we do in impact assessment. It goes beyond efficiency and focuses on effectiveness. It does not exclude an examination of IA processes but poses a different perspective from which to consider them.

This symposium will be based on five key subthemes, the symposium call for papers and workshop sessions will address:

• Developing IA intended outcomes
• Barriers to outcomes-based approaches
• Ensuring integrated assessment
• Impact Asssessment follow-up
• Role of strategic environmental assessment and regional planning

Registrations are now open!

The EIANZ 2025 Impact Assessment Symposium will include two days of technical content including plenary sessions, panel sessions and abstract presentations. Delegates are invited to attend the networking event at the end of day one which is included in the registration fee.

Find out more online at EIANZ 2025 Impact Assessment Symposium