GGH3705 EXAM PACK
2024
QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
FOR ASSISTANCE CONTACT
EMAIL:
, lOMoARcPSD|31863004
2.1 INTRODUCTION
In this learning unit you will learn about the screening process. The screening process
occurs before a decision is made on whether or not an environmental impact
assessment (EIA) must be performed for a development. In other words, the activities
performed during screening determine if an EIA has to be done for the development.
Furthermore, this decision – whether or not an EIA or basic assessment needs to be
done for the proposed development – depends on the type of proposed activity, as well
as the relevant legislation.
So what must be included in the screening report, when is screening initiated and who
can call for the process to commence? In South Africa, the screening process
commences when a development is proposed that might require an EIA. However, the
process may also be voluntary. This could happen when a company would like to
maintain a good public image and therefore voluntarily performs a screening.
Institutions such as the World Bank might also require screening for developments for
which they provide financial support. In the Southern African Development Community
(SADC), most countries require screening and scoping to be done (Walmsley and Patel
2011). However, Angola, Namibia and Zimbabwe combine these two steps into one
(Walmsley and Patel 2011). Scoping will be covered in learning unit 3. This learning unit
will introduce you to the screening process, how legislation affects the process of
screening, the importance of screening in the overall environmental assessment
process, how this differs across the globe, the tools you can apply to streamline this
process, and how it is carried out in South Africa. In section 2.7.3 you will be provided
with an overview of how screening is carried out in other parts of the world.
REQUIRED READING
This learning unit is based on Aucamp (2009), chapter 2.
Additionally, in learning unit 1 you were provided with a link to an online repository of
South African Acts, White Papers and other relevant legislation (Republic of South Africa
2014b). At this point it would be helpful for you to download the Listing Notices used in
screening in South Africa and to read through them:
Republic of South Africa (2010a): Listing Notice 1
Republic of South Africa (2010b): Listing Notice 2
Republic of South Africa (2010c): Listing Notice 3
These documents are available online at http://www.gov.za/document/latest. It is not
necessary to know the details contained in these documents off by heart, but you will
need to refer to these Notices when completing the learning activities. The Listing
Notices provide the legal parameters for deciding the level of assessment needed for a
development. As you complete the learning activities in this learning unit, you will use
the content of boxes 2.2 and 2.3 in Aucamp (2009), as well as the three Listing Notices,
to identify the specific activities to which the case studies apply.
, lOMoARcPSD|31863004
IMPORTANT UPDATE:
On 29 August 2014 the Minister of Environmental Affairs published her intention to
repeal Listing Notices 1-3 of 2010 and replace them with four updated Listing Notices
(Republic of South Africa 2014a-d). However, owing to the fact that the public was given
30 days to comment on the 2014 Listing Notices and that, at the time of publication of
this learning material, the official updated 2014 Listing Notices had not yet been
promulgated into law, for now we will continue to use the 2010 Listing Notices in this
learning material. Nevertheless, you are welcome to access the 2014 Listing Notices
and compare them with the 2010 Listing Notices for your own interest.
In this learning unit you will learn how to apply the screening process. It is important for
you to be familiar with this application so that you are able to apply screening in any
geographical context, regardless of the type of legislation that exists. Therefore,
although we will continue to use the 2010 Listing Notices, you will still be learning the
skill of applying the screening process, which is a skill that you can apply using any
legislation, regardless of whether it is 2010 legislation in South Africa, 2014 legislation in
South Africa or the legislation of another country.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Once you have completed this learning unit, you will be able to:
demonstrate knowledge regarding the purpose, importance, characteristics
and procedures of screening
apply appropriate screening procedures to case study examples in a variety
of geographical contexts and evaluate the suitability and quality of
application
situate the role, influence and significance of decision-making in the
screening process within the overall environmental assessment process
identify and critically reflect on the challenges associated with the
application of screening in a variety of geographical contexts and suggest
possible solutions to these challenges with regard to case study examples
discuss how and why screening practices differ in different geographical
contexts (such as in different countries) and explain how this presents
different challenges
2.2 WHAT IS SCREENING?
You were introduced to screening in learning unit 1:
Screening consists of the process where the need and scale of
Screening
potential environmental impacts are identified (Aucamp 2009:7).
The introduction to this learning unit explained that the screening process occurs before
a decision is made on whether or not an environmental impact assessment (EIA) must
be performed for a development. DEAT (2002a:3) identifies screening as a decision-
making process that determines
whether or not a development proposal requires environmental assessment;
and
, lOMoARcPSD|31863004
the level of assessment that is appropriate.
Before any development can occur, a decision must be made on the significance of its
environmental impacts. This requires a screening process to be conducted, as well as a
more in-depth assessment if the situation requires it. Screening is the first step in the
environmental assessment process and is a crucial component of this process.
Read and Reflect
Read Aucamp (2009), chapter 2:
section 2.1: A brief explanation of the screening process
section 2.2: What must be covered in the screening report?
o box 2.1: Application for authorisation
o box 2.2: Basic assessment
o box 2.3: Full EIA
section 2.3: What information is needed for screening?
As you read, consider what screening is, the stage in the EIA process at which it must be
done, who initiates the screening process (the state or other institutions), why screening
needs to be carried out (its purpose), what the implications would be if no screening
process were to occur for a development, the implications of the screening process for
decision-making (the importance of screening), and how screening is performed.
Screening is generally performed as a desktop study, but field visits to the site of the
proposed development are possible if the situation requires it. A desktop study means
all information is compiled and analysed on a computer and no visit to the field/site is
necessary. Although screening can take the form of a desktop study alone, this is not
always the case; in certain cases, a desktop study must be followed up by a site visit.
This, however, must be assessed for each screening process individually.
Note that an EIA is not always necessary for a development and that there are
requirements guiding this decision, which occurs at the end of the screening process. A
screening must provide the relevant authority with sufficient information on what type of
development is to be undertaken and the environment in which it will occur. Information
about the environment is especially important, as this will give an indication of what type
or level of EIA will have to be performed. The information that is provided in the
screening report should be sufficient for the relevant authority to make a decision on the
status of the proposed development and on the level of assessment that needs to be
performed for the development, that is, whether it requires a basic assessment report
(BAR), a full scoping and environmental impact report (S&EIR) or the proposal should be
rejected entirely.
The screening process can be thought of as a simplified, more qualitative version of the
basic assessment and full EIA (which you will learn more about in learning unit 5). The
difference between a screening and an EIA is the level of detail that is presented. A
screening is generally more superficial, preliminary and contains more qualitative (as
opposed to quantitative) detail. During screening, only an overview of available data is
required and impacts are often described in a qualitative manner. This is because
screening is the process used to decide the level of assessment; therefore, it needs to
give an overview of the expected/potential impacts of the development. If these impacts
2024
QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
FOR ASSISTANCE CONTACT
EMAIL:
, lOMoARcPSD|31863004
2.1 INTRODUCTION
In this learning unit you will learn about the screening process. The screening process
occurs before a decision is made on whether or not an environmental impact
assessment (EIA) must be performed for a development. In other words, the activities
performed during screening determine if an EIA has to be done for the development.
Furthermore, this decision – whether or not an EIA or basic assessment needs to be
done for the proposed development – depends on the type of proposed activity, as well
as the relevant legislation.
So what must be included in the screening report, when is screening initiated and who
can call for the process to commence? In South Africa, the screening process
commences when a development is proposed that might require an EIA. However, the
process may also be voluntary. This could happen when a company would like to
maintain a good public image and therefore voluntarily performs a screening.
Institutions such as the World Bank might also require screening for developments for
which they provide financial support. In the Southern African Development Community
(SADC), most countries require screening and scoping to be done (Walmsley and Patel
2011). However, Angola, Namibia and Zimbabwe combine these two steps into one
(Walmsley and Patel 2011). Scoping will be covered in learning unit 3. This learning unit
will introduce you to the screening process, how legislation affects the process of
screening, the importance of screening in the overall environmental assessment
process, how this differs across the globe, the tools you can apply to streamline this
process, and how it is carried out in South Africa. In section 2.7.3 you will be provided
with an overview of how screening is carried out in other parts of the world.
REQUIRED READING
This learning unit is based on Aucamp (2009), chapter 2.
Additionally, in learning unit 1 you were provided with a link to an online repository of
South African Acts, White Papers and other relevant legislation (Republic of South Africa
2014b). At this point it would be helpful for you to download the Listing Notices used in
screening in South Africa and to read through them:
Republic of South Africa (2010a): Listing Notice 1
Republic of South Africa (2010b): Listing Notice 2
Republic of South Africa (2010c): Listing Notice 3
These documents are available online at http://www.gov.za/document/latest. It is not
necessary to know the details contained in these documents off by heart, but you will
need to refer to these Notices when completing the learning activities. The Listing
Notices provide the legal parameters for deciding the level of assessment needed for a
development. As you complete the learning activities in this learning unit, you will use
the content of boxes 2.2 and 2.3 in Aucamp (2009), as well as the three Listing Notices,
to identify the specific activities to which the case studies apply.
, lOMoARcPSD|31863004
IMPORTANT UPDATE:
On 29 August 2014 the Minister of Environmental Affairs published her intention to
repeal Listing Notices 1-3 of 2010 and replace them with four updated Listing Notices
(Republic of South Africa 2014a-d). However, owing to the fact that the public was given
30 days to comment on the 2014 Listing Notices and that, at the time of publication of
this learning material, the official updated 2014 Listing Notices had not yet been
promulgated into law, for now we will continue to use the 2010 Listing Notices in this
learning material. Nevertheless, you are welcome to access the 2014 Listing Notices
and compare them with the 2010 Listing Notices for your own interest.
In this learning unit you will learn how to apply the screening process. It is important for
you to be familiar with this application so that you are able to apply screening in any
geographical context, regardless of the type of legislation that exists. Therefore,
although we will continue to use the 2010 Listing Notices, you will still be learning the
skill of applying the screening process, which is a skill that you can apply using any
legislation, regardless of whether it is 2010 legislation in South Africa, 2014 legislation in
South Africa or the legislation of another country.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Once you have completed this learning unit, you will be able to:
demonstrate knowledge regarding the purpose, importance, characteristics
and procedures of screening
apply appropriate screening procedures to case study examples in a variety
of geographical contexts and evaluate the suitability and quality of
application
situate the role, influence and significance of decision-making in the
screening process within the overall environmental assessment process
identify and critically reflect on the challenges associated with the
application of screening in a variety of geographical contexts and suggest
possible solutions to these challenges with regard to case study examples
discuss how and why screening practices differ in different geographical
contexts (such as in different countries) and explain how this presents
different challenges
2.2 WHAT IS SCREENING?
You were introduced to screening in learning unit 1:
Screening consists of the process where the need and scale of
Screening
potential environmental impacts are identified (Aucamp 2009:7).
The introduction to this learning unit explained that the screening process occurs before
a decision is made on whether or not an environmental impact assessment (EIA) must
be performed for a development. DEAT (2002a:3) identifies screening as a decision-
making process that determines
whether or not a development proposal requires environmental assessment;
and
, lOMoARcPSD|31863004
the level of assessment that is appropriate.
Before any development can occur, a decision must be made on the significance of its
environmental impacts. This requires a screening process to be conducted, as well as a
more in-depth assessment if the situation requires it. Screening is the first step in the
environmental assessment process and is a crucial component of this process.
Read and Reflect
Read Aucamp (2009), chapter 2:
section 2.1: A brief explanation of the screening process
section 2.2: What must be covered in the screening report?
o box 2.1: Application for authorisation
o box 2.2: Basic assessment
o box 2.3: Full EIA
section 2.3: What information is needed for screening?
As you read, consider what screening is, the stage in the EIA process at which it must be
done, who initiates the screening process (the state or other institutions), why screening
needs to be carried out (its purpose), what the implications would be if no screening
process were to occur for a development, the implications of the screening process for
decision-making (the importance of screening), and how screening is performed.
Screening is generally performed as a desktop study, but field visits to the site of the
proposed development are possible if the situation requires it. A desktop study means
all information is compiled and analysed on a computer and no visit to the field/site is
necessary. Although screening can take the form of a desktop study alone, this is not
always the case; in certain cases, a desktop study must be followed up by a site visit.
This, however, must be assessed for each screening process individually.
Note that an EIA is not always necessary for a development and that there are
requirements guiding this decision, which occurs at the end of the screening process. A
screening must provide the relevant authority with sufficient information on what type of
development is to be undertaken and the environment in which it will occur. Information
about the environment is especially important, as this will give an indication of what type
or level of EIA will have to be performed. The information that is provided in the
screening report should be sufficient for the relevant authority to make a decision on the
status of the proposed development and on the level of assessment that needs to be
performed for the development, that is, whether it requires a basic assessment report
(BAR), a full scoping and environmental impact report (S&EIR) or the proposal should be
rejected entirely.
The screening process can be thought of as a simplified, more qualitative version of the
basic assessment and full EIA (which you will learn more about in learning unit 5). The
difference between a screening and an EIA is the level of detail that is presented. A
screening is generally more superficial, preliminary and contains more qualitative (as
opposed to quantitative) detail. During screening, only an overview of available data is
required and impacts are often described in a qualitative manner. This is because
screening is the process used to decide the level of assessment; therefore, it needs to
give an overview of the expected/potential impacts of the development. If these impacts
