AN EVALUATION OF TOOLS FOR AN ASSESSMENT OF CUMULATIVE EFFECTS IN SOCIOECONOMIC IMPACT STUDIES

Abstract

Cumulative effects assessments have been defined as environmental assessments done well. However, socioeconomic studies within the EIA process seldom adequately address cumulative effects. One of the reasons for this is that the socioeconomic tools used in the EIA process have not been evaluated and, where necessary, updated to address cumulative effects. This article evaluates current and potential tools, from a variety of paradigms, including economic, industrial ecology and systems theory. An unexpected result was that traditional economic appraisal techniques such as CBA performed quite well against identified criteria. In addition, a number of other newer techniques were also found to be suitable. The article concludes with recommendations on how to practically address cumulative effects in socioeconomic studies.