“FasTips No. 6: Mitigation” emphasizes the critical role of mitigation in impact assessment (IA), focusing on strategies to prevent, reduce, or compensate for adverse environmental and social impacts. It outlines a structured approach known as the mitigation hierarchy, which prioritizes actions as follows:
- Avoidance: Preventing negative impacts entirely by not engaging in certain activities.
- Minimization: Reducing the severity or extent of impacts through careful planning and implementation.
- Restoration: Rehabilitating affected environments to their original state when impacts are unavoidable.
- Offsetting: Compensating for residual impacts by providing alternative resources or habitats.
The document also highlights the importance of early integration of mitigation measures into project design, continuous monitoring, and stakeholder engagement to ensure effective implementation. By adhering to these principles, IA practitioners can enhance the sustainability and social acceptability of development projects.
Want to strengthen your mitigation strategies in IA? Download FasTips: Mitigation 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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