Lehrinhalte
The module part, “Methods of Impact Assessment - project level“, covers the development of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) from site selection, baseline studies, and impact prediction to permitting, mitigation, and monitoring. Exemplarily, the course focuses on wind farm development (on- and offshore, worldwide). In mirroring science and practice, the course offers practical insights (case study examples, best practice principles, guest lectures) and compares EA practice with the current state of research (on baseline surveys, impact prediction (human/wildlife dimension), mitigation and follow-up). The methods for assessing the impacts of wind farms will be presented and critically discussed for various receptors (e.g. soils, water, air, climate, wildlife and ecosystems, population and human health, cultural heritage and material assets, and landscape scenery). Diversity, energy & environmental justice issues and good practice principles of meaningful participation in diverse settings are conveyed.
The module part “Methods of Impact Assessment - planning, program and policy levels” focuses on methods for the strategic level. It is oriented at the required contents of environmental reports covering methods for estimating environmental impacts, assessing alternatives, dealing with cumulative effects, and monitoring. Methods such as scenario techniques, multi-criteria-decision-analysis (MCDA), and Bayesian Networks to examine strategic planning alternatives or cumulative impact assessment are discussed. Also, approaches for public participation on strategic decision-making levels are presented and discussed.
