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Evaluating methods for analyzing economic impacts in environmental assessments

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About the project

Sound methodological guidelines are essential for generating accurate and consistent data on socio-economic impacts in environmental assessment (EA) to determine whether a project is in the public interest and what conditions need to be attached to its approval to mitigate adverse impacts. The Canadian environmental assessment process currently lacks comprehensive methodological guidelines for undertaking socio-economic analysis of projects. Consequently, project analysts have wide discretion that can result in a lack of consistency and accuracy in forecasting impacts.

This research focused on the economic dimension of this problem by evaluating strengths and weaknesses of methods for assessing economic impacts, developing best practice guidelines for undertaking economic impact assessment, and identifying areas for future research. Five methods were evaluated: economic impact analysis; sustainability impact assessment; benefit-cost analysis; multiple-account benefit-cost analysis; and multi-criteria decision analysis. The findings are relevant for assessing social and environmental impacts and determining whether a project is in the public interest.

Key findings

Policy implications

Further information

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Contact the researcher

Thomas Gunton, Director of Resource and Environmental Planning Program, School of Resource and Environmental Management, Simon Fraser University; gunton@sfu.ca

The views expressed in this evidence brief are those of the author and not those of SSHRC, IAAC, or the Government of Canada.

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