| Peer-Reviewed

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA); A Useful Tool to Address Climate Change in Ghana

Received: 23 October 2013    Accepted:     Published: 20 November 2013
Views:       Downloads:
Abstract

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) since its inception in 1994 has been responsible for the implementation of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) regulation in Ghana. Many EIA have been performed on major projects such as mining, dams, gas projects but much has not been done in the mitigation of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions which is said to be the main driving force of climate change. This reviewed paper therefore proposes the extension of the EIA regulations to small projects or activities such as deforestation, extensive land clearing, small scale mining and emissions from vehicles that have the potential of influencing climate change. The research was carried out by an extensive review of literature, reports, interaction with opinion leaders, lecturers, colleagues and students. The paper has attempted to explain the use of EIA in addressing the numerous environmental challenges by outlining the effect of climate change, EIA procedure in Ghana, the role of EIA in addressing climate change especially the emission of CO2. It was also established that the principle of EIA could be used to regulate pollution abatement, wastes management, conservation of natural resources, proper agricultural practices, development of clean and efficient energy sources. This application of EIA in climate change mitigation will safeguard the environment and improve the standard of living of the people. The paper concludes with some suggested recommendations.

Published in International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy (Volume 1, Issue 4)
DOI 10.11648/j.ijepp.20130104.18
Page(s) 94-100
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

EIA, Climate Change, EPA, CO2 Emission, Environment

References
[1] Agyepong GT, Duadze SEK, Annor J, Donyuo SSB, Tetteh, E and Gyeabour, A (1999) Land use and land cover map of Ghana. Technical Bulletin. No. No. 3. Remote Sensing Applications, Unit, Dept. of Geography. University of Ghana, Legon, Accra.
[2] Anim-Kwapong GJ, and Frimpong EB (2006) Vulnerablity of agriculture to climate- impact of change change on cocoa production: Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessment under the Netherlands Climate Change Studies Assistance Programme Phase 2 (NCCSAP2). CRIG. New Tafo.
[3] Appiah-Opoku S (2001) Environmental impact assess ment in developing countries: the case of Ghana. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, Vol (21).1, 59-71
[4] Beg N, Morlot JC, Davidson et al. (2002) Linkages between climate change and sustainable development. Climate Policy 2: 129-144
[5] Boko M, Niang I, Nyong A et al. (2007) Africa. Climate Change 2007: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. Contribution of Working Group II to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, M.L. Parry, O.F. Canziani, J.P. Palutikof, P.J. van der Linden and C.E. Hanson, Eds., Cambridge University Press, Cambridge UK, 433-467.
[6] Bounoua L, Collatz GJ, Los SO et al. (2000) Sensitivity of climate to changes in NDVI. J. Climate 13: 2277-2292
[7] Dasgupta S, Laplante D, Murray S and Wheeler D (2009) Sea-Level Rise and Storm Surges. A ComparativeAnalysis of Impacts in Developing Countries, Policy Reearch Working Paper 4901, DRG, Environment and Eergy Team, The World Bank
[8] Deressa TT, Hassan RM, Ringler C, Alemu T, and Yesuf M (2008) Analysis of the Determinants of Farmers’ choice of Adaptation Methods and Perceptions of Climate Change in the Nile Basin of Ethiopia. International Food Policy Research Institute. Washington, DC
[9] Ebi KL, Smith JB and Burton I (2005) Integration of Public Health with Adaptation to Climate Change. New York: Taylor and Francis
[10] Enger DE and Smith FB (2008) Environmental Science: A Study of Interrelationships. 11th Edn., McGraw Hill, USA
[11] FAO 2010. Global Forest Land -Use Change 1990-2005. http://www.fao.org/docrep /017 /i3110e/i3110e.pdf (as sessed on 19/11/12)
[12] FES (2012). Climate Change and its impact on the livelihood of farmers and agricultural workers in Ghana. www.fesghana.org/uploads/PDF/Study_Climatechangelivelihood.FINAL.pdf
[13] Gbetibouo GA (2009) Understanding farmers’ perceptions and adaptations to climate change and variability. The case of the Limpopo basin, South Africa. Environment and Production
[14] Hardy JH (2005) Climate Change: Causes, Effects and Solutions. Wiley, England.
[15] Houghton RA (1990) The global effects of tropical deforestation. Environmental Science and Technology 24: 414-422
[16] Huq S, Reid H and Murray LA (2006) Climate Change and Development Links. Gatekeeper Series 123, International Institute for Environment and Development.
[17] IPCC (2001) Climate Change (2001) The Scientific Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Third Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, J.T. Houghton, Y. Ding, D.J. Griggs, M. Noguer, P.J. vander Linden, X. Dai, K. Maskell and C.A. Johnson, Eds., CambridgeUniversity Press, Cambridge
[18] IPCC (2007) Summary for Policymakers. Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, S. Solomon, D. Qin, M. Manning, Z. Chen, M. Marquis, K.B. Averyt, M. Tignor and H.L. Miller, Eds., Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. London
[19] Karamouz M, Nazif S and Falahi M (2013) Hydrology and Hydroclimatology: Principles and Applications. CRC Press. US.
[20] Maraseni TN, Maroulis J, Cockfield G, (2009) An analysis of Australia’s carbon pollution reduction scheme. Int. J. Environ. Stud. 66 (5), 591–603
[21] Mertz O, Mbow C, Reenberg A, Diouf A (2009) Farmers’ perceptions of climate change and agricultural adaptation strategies in Rural Sahel. Environ Manage 43:804–816
[22] MunichRe (2007) Natural Disasters. Annual Review of Natural Disasters 2006. Munich: Munich Reinsurance Group. Panel on Climate Change, M.L. Parry, O.F. Canziani, J.P. Palutikof, P.J. van der Linden and C.E. Hanson, Eds., Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK
[23] Nyong A, Adesina F, Osman EB (2007) The value of indigenous knowledge in climate change mitigation and adaptation variability and strategies in the African Sahel. Mitig Adapt Strat Glob Change 12:787–797
[24] Perlmutter DD and Rothstein LR (2011) The Challenges of Climate Change: Which way now? Wiley-Blackwell, UK.
[25] Prentice IC, Farquhar GD, Fasham et al. (2001) The carbon cycle and atmospheric carbon dioxide content. In Contribution of Working Group 1 to the 3rd Assessment Report of the IPPC, (eds). J. T. Houghton, Y. Ding D.J. Griggs, M. Noguer, P. J. van der Linden and D. Xiaosu. Cambrigde, UK and NY. pp 184-238
[26] Prospero JM and Lamb PJ (2003) African droughts and dust transport to the Caribbean: climate change implications. Science, 302, 1024-1027.
[27] Rosenzweig C, Casassa G, Karoly et al. (2007) Assessment of observed changes and responses in natural and managed systems. Climate Change 2007. Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. Contribution of Working Group ll to the Fourth Assessment Report of the IPCC, eds. M. L. Parry, O. F. Canziani, J. P. Palutikof, P.J. van der Linden and C.E. Hanson. Cambridge, UK and New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. pp 79-131
[28] Rosenzweig CR and Hillel D (1998). Climate Change and the Global Harvest: Potential Impacts of the Greenhouse Effect on Agriculture. Oxford, Oxford University Press
[29] Salick J (2009) Traditional peoples and climate change. Glob Environ Change 19:37–139
[30] Sanders O, Goesch T, Hughes N (2010) Adapting to Water Scarcity. ABARE Issues and Insights 10.5, Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Canberra, ACT
[31] Schlesinger WH (1986) Changes in soil carbon storage and associated properties with disturbance and recovery. In: Trabalka J. R. and Reichle D.E. (Eds). The Changing Carbon Cycle: A global Analysis. Springer-Verlag, NY. pp. 194-220
[32] Twinomugisha B (2005) Indigenous adaptation. Tiempo 57 : 6-8
[33] UN General Assembly, Climate Change and its possible security implications : report of the Secretary-General, 11 September 2009, A/64/350, available at : http://www.refworld.org/ docid/4ad5e6380.html (accessed on 10/6/13).
[34] Winrock (2002) What You Should Know about Global Warming and Carbon Storage? http://www.winrock.org/GENERAL/Publications/ CarbonStorage.pdf ((assessed on 28/3/12)
[35] World Bank (2012) Turn Down the Heat: Why a 4°C Warmer World Must be Avoided. A Report for the World Bank by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and Climate Analytics
[36] Zeng N (2003) Drought in the Sahel. Science 302: 999-1000
[37] Zhang X, Zwiers FW, Hegerl GC et al. (2007) Detection of human influence on twentieth-century precipitation trends. Nature 448: 461-65
Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Emmanuel Amankwah. (2013). Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA); A Useful Tool to Address Climate Change in Ghana. International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy, 1(4), 94-100. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20130104.18

    Copy | Download

    ACS Style

    Emmanuel Amankwah. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA); A Useful Tool to Address Climate Change in Ghana. Int. J. Environ. Prot. Policy 2013, 1(4), 94-100. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepp.20130104.18

    Copy | Download

    AMA Style

    Emmanuel Amankwah. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA); A Useful Tool to Address Climate Change in Ghana. Int J Environ Prot Policy. 2013;1(4):94-100. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepp.20130104.18

    Copy | Download

  • @article{10.11648/j.ijepp.20130104.18,
      author = {Emmanuel Amankwah},
      title = {Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA); A Useful Tool to Address Climate Change in Ghana},
      journal = {International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy},
      volume = {1},
      number = {4},
      pages = {94-100},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ijepp.20130104.18},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20130104.18},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijepp.20130104.18},
      abstract = {The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) since its inception in 1994 has been responsible for the implementation of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) regulation in Ghana. Many EIA have been performed on major projects such as mining, dams, gas projects but much has not been done in the mitigation of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions which is said to be the main driving force of climate change. This reviewed paper therefore proposes the extension of the EIA regulations to small projects or activities such as deforestation, extensive land clearing, small scale mining and emissions from vehicles that have the potential of influencing climate change. The research was carried out by an extensive review of literature, reports, interaction with opinion leaders, lecturers, colleagues and students. The paper has attempted to explain the use of EIA in addressing the numerous environmental challenges by outlining the effect of climate change, EIA procedure in Ghana, the role of EIA in addressing climate change especially the emission of CO2. It was also established that the principle of EIA could be used to regulate pollution abatement, wastes management, conservation of natural resources, proper agricultural practices, development of clean and efficient energy sources. This application of EIA in climate change mitigation will safeguard the environment and improve the standard of living of the people. The paper concludes with some suggested recommendations.},
     year = {2013}
    }
    

    Copy | Download

  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA); A Useful Tool to Address Climate Change in Ghana
    AU  - Emmanuel Amankwah
    Y1  - 2013/11/20
    PY  - 2013
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20130104.18
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ijepp.20130104.18
    T2  - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
    JF  - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
    JO  - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
    SP  - 94
    EP  - 100
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2330-7536
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20130104.18
    AB  - The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) since its inception in 1994 has been responsible for the implementation of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) regulation in Ghana. Many EIA have been performed on major projects such as mining, dams, gas projects but much has not been done in the mitigation of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions which is said to be the main driving force of climate change. This reviewed paper therefore proposes the extension of the EIA regulations to small projects or activities such as deforestation, extensive land clearing, small scale mining and emissions from vehicles that have the potential of influencing climate change. The research was carried out by an extensive review of literature, reports, interaction with opinion leaders, lecturers, colleagues and students. The paper has attempted to explain the use of EIA in addressing the numerous environmental challenges by outlining the effect of climate change, EIA procedure in Ghana, the role of EIA in addressing climate change especially the emission of CO2. It was also established that the principle of EIA could be used to regulate pollution abatement, wastes management, conservation of natural resources, proper agricultural practices, development of clean and efficient energy sources. This application of EIA in climate change mitigation will safeguard the environment and improve the standard of living of the people. The paper concludes with some suggested recommendations.
    VL  - 1
    IS  - 4
    ER  - 

    Copy | Download

Author Information
  • Agricultural Engineering Dept. Wa Polytechnic, P. O. Box 553, Wa, Upper West Region, Ghana

  • Sections