The Basics Of An Environmental Impact Assessment

Julie Starr • December 22, 2021



As the world becomes more and more environmentally conscious , there is an increasing need for environmental impact assessments. Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) are now required before any major construction or development project can be approved. This blog post will briefly touch on some of the aspects of an EIA.

1) What is an Environmental Impact Assessment?

An EIA is a process of evaluating the potential environmental impacts of a proposed project . It includes identifying, predicting, and mitigating any negative impacts that the project may have on the environment.

EIAs can be done for individual projects or for entire sectors (e.g., energy production, transportation).

2) Who Needs an EIA?

Any organization or individual that plans to construct, modify or operate a project that may have a significant environmental impact needs to do an EIA.

This includes:

EIAs are not required for small projects or for individuals.

3) What is Included in an EIA?

An EIA should include:

  • A description of the proposed project
  • Identification of potential environmental impacts
  • Proposed mitigation measures
  • Public consultation

The specific requirements for EIAs vary from country to country. For example, in the United States, a detailed Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) must be submitted for major federal undertakings.

4) What are the Benefits of Doing an EIA?

The benefits of doing an EIA include:

  • Improved environmental protection
  • Identification of potential environmental impacts before they occur
  • Increased public awareness and participation in decision making
  • Better coordination between different sectors
  • A better understanding of professional elemental mapping

EIAs help to ensure that projects are designed and operated in a way that minimizes negative environmental impacts.

5) How is an EIA done?

There are five stages in the process of completing an Environmental Impact Assessment.

  • Identification and evaluation of all potential environmental impacts from a project
  • Determination of mitigation measures to be applied if required by law or regulation, which will reduce the negative impact on the environment below acceptable levels
  • Application for formal approval
  • Implementation of mitigation measures
  • Monitoring and reporting on the effectiveness of mitigation measures over time

Each stage can be broken down into a number of steps. For example, the first stage – Identification and Evaluation of Environmental Impacts – may involve:

  • Screening potential projects to see if they require an EIA
  • Carrying out a preliminary assessment of the environmental impacts
  • Identifying any significant adverse environmental effects
  • Assessing how serious these effects are

Mitigation measures may be required at any stage of an EIA. For example, if it is found that there will be significant negative environmental impacts from a project, then mitigation measures will need to be identified and put into place. If the mitigation measures are not effective, then additional ones may need to be considered or applied.

In conclusion, environmental impact assessments are an important part of ensuring that projects are designed and operated in a way that minimizes negative environmental impacts. They provide decision-makers with the information they need to make informed decisions about whether a project should go ahead and what measures need to be put into place to protect the environment.

Can AI Support Environmental Sustainability? 5 Ways It's Already Making an Impact

By Julie Starr • May 12, 2025
As conversations about artificial intelligence (AI) evolve from hype to implementation, many sustainability professionals are beginning to ask: Can AI actually support environmental goals—or is it just another tech distraction? At Taiga Company, we believe this is exactly the right kind of question. New tools should be approached with thoughtful inquiry and grounded optimism. While there’s plenty of noise in the AI space, we’re also seeing early signals that AI, when applied responsibly, may offer significant benefits in advancing sustainability strategies. Below are five science-backed ways AI is already being used to support environmental sustainability—with links to explore the data behind each. 1. Optimizing Energy Use and Efficiency AI can analyze and forecast energy needs, detect inefficiencies in real time, and automate building and grid-level energy decisions. Google, for example, used DeepMind’s AI to reduce the energy used for cooling its data centers by 40% —a significant operational and environmental win. 2. Enhancing Climate Modeling and Prediction AI improves the accuracy and speed of climate models by processing vast datasets (like satellite data and atmospheric readings) faster than traditional tools. This can help scientists and policymakers better anticipate extreme weather, sea level rise, and other climate-related risks. 3. Enabling Smarter Agriculture and Resource Use In agriculture , AI supports precision farming—using data to guide decisions around water use, fertilizers, and pest management. These tools can reduce resource consumption and emissions while supporting food security. 4. Accelerating Circular Economy and Waste Reduction AI is being used to automate waste sorting, track materials through supply chains, and improve transparency around recycling and reuse. These innovations support circular economy goals and help reduce landfill and emissions. 5. Monitoring Ecosystems and Biodiversity AI-powered sensors, drones, and satellites can track deforestation, monitor endangered species, and even detect illegal activity in protected areas—helping conservation efforts scale more efficiently. What This Means for Corporate Sustainability For corporate sustainability leaders, these examples show that AI is not a magic solution—but it might be a valuable tool in the toolkit. Like any technology, its value depends on how it’s implemented, what data it's trained on, and whether it’s integrated with strategic goals. This is where communications plays a vital role. At Taiga Company, we help organizations articulate how technologies like AI fit into their broader environmental and business commitments. Whether through thought leadership, stakeholder education, reporting language, or digital engagement, our communications support helps make new tools understandable, actionable, and credible. We focus on: – Translating complex innovation into clear, values-aligned messaging – Engaging internal and external stakeholders on their learning journey – Showcasing measurable impact while aligning with evolving standards and frameworks – Sharing best practices in a way that encourages collaboration and informed adoption AI is not just a technology story—it’s a communication opportunity. It invites sustainability leaders to educate, inspire, and engage stakeholders around how they are navigating this next chapter.

What You Call It vs. What You Do: Communicating Impact Beyond ESG Labels

By Julie Starr • May 5, 2025
As the world continues to prioritize environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals, a new technological movement is quietly reshaping how companies communicate their sustainability efforts: Web3. Web3—the next evolution of the internet built on decentralized technologies like blockchain—offers powerful new tools for ESG storytelling. At Taiga Company, we believe Web3 represents a transformational opportunity to enhance digital transparency, expand decentralized sustainability initiatives, and bring fresh credibility to corporate ESG communications. Web3 Unlocks Digital Transparency for ESG In an era where stakeholders expect greater accountability, Web3 provides an immutable, verifiable way to share ESG metrics. Blockchain technology enables companies to record sustainability data—such as carbon tracking, water usage, or supply chain emissions—directly on decentralized ledgers. This creates a new level of digital transparency that can bolster trust with investors, customers, and regulators. At Taiga Company, we help businesses translate these complex technical capabilities into clear, accessible communications. Our services bridge the gap between advanced Web3 solutions and everyday ESG storytelling , making decentralized reporting meaningful to broader audiences. Decentralized Sustainability and Regenerative Finance (ReFi) Beyond transparency, Web3 is giving rise to decentralized sustainability models. Projects in regenerative finance (ReFi) are using blockchain tools to incentivize environmental restoration, carbon sequestration, and climate-positive activities. These initiatives align with emerging ESG expectations that go beyond ‘do no harm’ and focus on regenerative impact. We work with companies to integrate these new paradigms into their sustainability narratives—highlighting how innovative approaches like ReFi contribute to broader environmental goals, align with ESG criteria, and showcase leadership in a rapidly changing landscape. A New Era for ESG Storytelling Traditional ESG reports often feel static, data-heavy, and disconnected from stakeholders. Web3 offers a dynamic, participatory model where audiences can engage with real-time sustainability data, track progress directly, and even contribute to decentralized initiatives. Our services specialize in creating communications that reflect this evolution. By combining our expertise in sustainability strategy with a growing understanding of Web3 trends, we help organizations: Translate decentralized sustainability efforts into compelling, credible stories Align carbon tracking and digital transparency initiatives with stakeholder expectations Position ESG leadership within the emerging Web3 economy The Path Forward Web3 won't replace traditional ESG frameworks, but it will significantly enhance them. Companies that start integrating decentralized transparency, carbon tracking, and regenerative finance into their sustainability communications today will be better positioned for tomorrow's expectations.  Ready to evolve your ESG communications for the Web3 era? Let's connect.