“FasTips No. 16: Cumulative Effects Assessment” emphasizes the importance of evaluating the combined impacts of multiple projects or actions on the environment and communities over time. It outlines key strategies for practitioners, including:
Holistic Analysis: Assessing not only the direct effects of a single project but also how it interacts with other existing or planned activities, leading to cumulative impacts.
Temporal and Spatial Scoping: Defining appropriate timeframes and geographic boundaries to capture all relevant cumulative effects accurately.
Stakeholder Collaboration: Engaging with communities, industries, and regulators to gather diverse insights and data, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of cumulative impacts.
By adopting these practices, professionals can better predict and manage the broader implications of development, leading to more sustainable and resilient outcomes.
Want to enhance your approach to assessing cumulative effects? Download FasTips: Cumulative Effects Assessment for 10 key insights.
About FasTips Series
The IAIA FasTips series delivers practical tips in a fast format. When time is short, FasTips provide quick advice without the need for formal guidance.
Designed for impact assessment (IA) professionals, FasTips clarify common questions. While they help refine best practices, they do not replace the IAIA Best Practice Principles series.
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