Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a tool used to assess the significant effects of a project or development proposal on the environment. EIAs make sure that project decision-makers think about the likely effects on the environment at the earliest possible time and aim to avoid, reduce or offset those effects. This ensures that proposals are understood properly before decisions are made.
The importance of environmental impact assessment is to promote a safe environment, and sound, sustainable development, by measuring the environmental impact likely to be caused by projects. EIA shows impact levels on marine species, land, plants, animals, microorganisms, and non-living organisms. Finally, it identifies safer methods, and proposes appropriate alternative measures to be undertaken before decision-making and implementation.