Many jurisdictions are looking to next-generation impact assessment (IA) that includes sustainability considerations that extend beyond biophysical. Subjectivity is inherent in many of these additional impact considerations, and they are often not easily nor effectively quantified. Delivering effective IA within this broadening scope requires new, innovative, and rigorous applications of qualitative methods that enable meaningful inclusion of diverse knowledges, values, and information. While many qualitative methods are available for IA, there remains a significant opportunity to strengthen their contribution toward more effective IA practice. As such, we establish in this paper needs that must be addressed if qualitative methods are to meaningfully contribute to IA and pathways for acting on these needs. Relating findings from a survey, semi-structured interviews, and a world caf & eacute;, the paper specifically identifies six key needs for enhancing the effective use of qualitative methods in IA, and five pathways for addressing these needs that involve all IA actors. We conclude that there are deeply entrenched assumptions about qualitative methods and that shifting these views will be challenging and take time. Together, the identified needs and pathways provide a framework for action to improve the effectiveness of IA and should be considered in IA training and practice.

Indigenous groups across Canada continue to regain sovereignty over their traditional territories and this research focuses on their involvement in Manitoba’s forest sector. A large proportion of First Nations in Manitoba are forest-based, and there is a revitalized opportunity and vigor for these communities to build successful and sustainable forestry initiatives. This paper identifies the barriers and enablers that Indigenous groups can experience with respect to federal and provincial forest policies. A policy scan was employed to determine impactful federal and provincial policies, address gaps in the policy framework and provide recommendations for future policy makers and users. Semi-structured interviews with members of three First Nations and Indigenous forestry experts shed light on the enablers of and barriers to Indigenous forestry prospects in Manitoba. Given the historical lack of Indigenous inclusion in Manitoba’s forest policy regime, the success of Indigenous involvement in the forest sector will hinge on increased collaboration with governments and industry, enhanced sharing of revenue from forest resources, provincial reform of forestry law and policy that do not explicitly address Indigenous rights and interests, and funding programs that address the economic and logistical barriers associated with developing Indigenous forestry initiatives.

Since its inception, impact assessment (IA) has been perceived by many to be a largely technical, quantitative exercise. However, as jurisdictions shift towards a more sustainability-oriented IA that accounts for a wider range of social, cultural, economic, health and well-being, and equity implications of proposed projects and strategic initiatives, values and subjectivity come more to the fore. Making predictions now needs innovative, and rigorous applications of qualitative methods that enable meaningful inclusion of diverse knowledges, values, and information sources, whilst at the same time giving confidence to decision makers and other stakeholders about the evidence base. Adopting such qualitative methods in practice is hindered by a lack of clarity of the role of qualitative methods in the delivery of sustainability-oriented IA. Guided by findings from a thematic analysis of primary data gathered through an international survey supplemented by semi-structured interviews and a workshop, the novel contribution of this paper is to clarify how and why qualitative methods can best contribute to the effective delivery of next generation IA.

Nous analysons les lois actuelles régissant l’émission de permis dans le secteur de l’énergie hydroélectrique au Canada dans le but de mettre en évidence les pratiques optimales applicables. La collecte de données a pris la forme d'un examen de la littérature en vue de cerner les critères d'une rétroaction significative et d'une analyse de la législation pour déterminer la mesure dans laquelle le cadre juridique actuel requiert l'application de ces pratiques dans la délivrance et le renouvellement de permis dans le domaine de l’énergie hydroélectrique. Nous avons trouvé que la plupart des processus de délivrance de permis ne comprennent pas de mécanisme visant l'obtention de la rétroaction des personnes et des communautés qui seront touchées par les projets d’énergie hydroélectrique. Les processus législatifs du Yukon et des Territoires du Nord-Ouest sont dotés des normes de rétroaction les plus strictes, comprenant notamment des audiences publiques obligatoires pour toutes les demandes de permis. Aucun des processus canadiens ne semble inclure d'articles visant directement l'obtention de rétroaction des peuples autochtones, notamment en ce qui concerne les processus relationnels et l'inclusion de connaissances traditionnelles, quoique quatre de ces processus incluent une référence à la nécessité de respecter l'article 35 de la Constitution, les traités et les ententes relatives aux revendications territoriales. Les lois devraient être mises à jour pour offrir davantage d'occasions d'obtenir la rétroaction du public et de tenir compte des droits des autochtones et des obligations de l’État; une réforme réglementaire et législative subséquente doit être lancée, avec des processus collaboratifs avec les gouvernements et les peuples autochtones pour que les personnes et les communautés directement touchées par le développement hydroélectrique soient en mesure de participer, à l'avenir, aux processus de délivrance de permis d'une façon significative.

Nature-based solutions (NBS) are championed for providing co-benefits to cities and residents, yet their environmental justice impacts are increasingly debated. In this paper, we explore whether and how hybrid governance approaches, such as Mosaic Governance, may contribute to just transformations and sustainable cities through fostering long-term collaborations between local governments, local communities, and grassroots initiatives. Based on case studies in three major European cities, we propose and then exemplify six possible pathways to increase environmental justice: greening the neighborhood, diversifying values and practices, empowering people, bridging across communities, linking to institutions, and scaling of inclusive discourses and practices. Despite the diversity of environmental justice outcomes across cases, our results consistently show that Mosaic Governance particularly contributes to recognition justice through diversifying NBS practices in alignment with community values and aspirations. The results demonstrate the importance of a wider framing of justice in the development of NBS, sensitive to social, cultural, economic and political inequities as well understanding potential pathways to enhance not only environmental justice, but also social justice at large. Especially in marginalised communities, Mosaic Governance holds much potential to advance social justice by enabling empowering, bridging, and linking pathways across diverse communities and NBS practices.

Achieving environmental justice in protected area (PA) planning and management has been historically problematic. Herein, potential connections between learning outcomes acquired through PAs and advancements in environmental justice are examined and assessed through a case study of PAs in the Kullu District of Himachal Pradesh, India. Specifically, our study aimed to identify learning outcomes that contributed to positive changes in distributive, procedural, recognitional and restorative justice for local people managing or residing near PAs. As throughout the Himalayas, the land use rights, both customary or recognised by law, of local inhabitants in the Kullu District have been altered and eroded through the establishment of PAs, which has resulted in poor environmental justice outcomes. Interviews were conducted with local people living near PAs, forest officers working in PAs, relevant government officials, academics, and NGO representatives. The results indicate that non-formal and informal learning has produced positive cognitive and relational changes in local inhabitants as well as forest officers, which has led to modification of policies, positive environmental change, and enhanced aspects of environmental justice. Though positive changes emerged, the study also identified a need for increased learning opportunities, particularly for inhabitants of more remote areas.

Qualitative methods for impact assessment (IA) represent a broad spectrum of approaches that are important for realising effective IA practice. The purpose of this paper is to identify and promote qualitative methods that are available for use in contemporary and future (next-generation) IA processes. From an extensive literature review, an international survey (145 responses), expert interviews (48 interviewees), and a workshop attended by 27 IA practitioners, 17 qualitative method categories were identified. These were further subdivided into three classes: conventional qualitative methods, highly participatory methods, and mixed methods. Each method is described, and an indication given of how each can be used in IA practice, including the specific stage of the IA process to which they might be applied. Whilst this paper seeks to stimulate practitioners to apply qualitative methods to enrich IA practices, the research also identifies a lack of expertise with social science methods as a significant barrier to the effective use of qualitative methods in IA practice.

In this paper, a review of Indigenous engagement in renewable energy projects is conducted and the main elements of energy partnerships between stakeholders and Indigenous partners are discussed. In recent years, Canada has witnessed more significant Indigenous involvement in economic and energy development projects than ever before. For large-scale energy partnerships, the focus is on engagement, financial capital, community buy-in (readiness, and entrepreneurial and business skills), and benefits-sharing with community partners. Equity-ownership, reconciliation, and self-determination intersect with and impact the benefits and sustainability of energy projects, as they are interrelated in the framework of most energy partnerships. This paper illustrates policy disconnects in connection with partnership-making, social outcomes, and decision-making among Indigenous communities. Furthermore, findings from relevant literature explore the nuanced discourse on social implications and capacity challenges that interlink with climate adaptation and reconciliation when promoting large-scale renewable energy partnerships with Indigenous communities. Through a systematic review and a meta-analysis of the literature, we found 80 relevant studies during the screening process, of which 33 were selected for the synthesis. Findings demonstrate that the Crown, energy companies, and community partners need to coordinate and collaborate closely to achieve energy security and sustainable renewable energy. The review suggests that Indigenous engagement in energy partnerships supports positive outcomes for social development and environmental protection among Indigenous communities. The literature suggests that when government and industry mentor in the project implementation process, important positive impacts on energy transitions, and self-sufficiency can be realized.

The impact of climate-related changes on northern Canada’s renewable resource sectors makes bolstering adaptive capacity an urgent imperative throughout the region. Although social learning is a key ingredient of adaptive capacity, our understanding of the relationships among social learning, adaptive capacity, and climate change adaptation is limited. Building on previous conceptual and empirical studies, this paper develops a framework that clarifies the interactions among social learning, adaptive capacity and climate change adaptation pertinent to a regional scale of analysis. The framework is multi-layered and consists of different levels of governing variables, units of analysis, learning outcomes and climate change adaptations. It is also integrative in that it encompasses social learning motivations, context and process factors, and outcomes, along with key determinants of adaptive capacity. A post hoc assessment of two climate change disturbances in northern boreal resource systems reveals the applicability of the framework to a regional scale analysis.

This paper examines the EIA process and its effectiveness in addressing the impacts of a 190 km long national highway project along the Karnataka coast. We analyse the quality and relevance of the environmental clearance conditions established by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) and discusses their potential implications. The findings underline that most of the conditions that pertained to the prevention of pollution, restoration of mangroves, and protection of biodiversity lacked a scientific basis and specific information required for effective implementation. The MoEF&CC also overlooked the social impact of the project and underplayed its own role in ensuring fair compensation to project affected communities for the loss of their land and other livelihoods. The paper concludes by promulgating a long list of irrelevant and ineffective environmental conditions that represent greenwashing because it could misguide affected communities and other stakeholders by creating the impression the state is exercising due diligence in protecting the environment.

Development that addresses the needs of marginalized communities in India requires innovative public policies, programmes and institutions. Over the last three decades, India has adopted several such initiatives in an attempt to offset the adverse impacts of rapid industrialization. These measures include the creation of environmental assessment, clearance, enforcement and compliance mechanisms. This chapter analyses and explores these mechanisms and their implications for environmental justice in relation to the approval and operation of the Sterlite Copper smelter in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu. The analytical framework encompasses procedural, distributive, recognitional and restorative justice. A qualitative content analysis of legislation, court decisions and media reports reveals significant regulatory and licensing violations by the company and gaps in enforcement and compliance on the part of environmental regulatory agencies. As a result, environmental conditions, community health and livelihood security have steadily deteriorated and people's trust in the state, governance institutions and law have become increasingly fragile. Matters were worsened by inconsistent decisions by the courts and lack of responsiveness on the part of legislators to amend ineffective legislation. The case highlights that fundamental changes are still needed in assessment and clearance processes, procedures, norms and practices in order to make meaningful progress on environmental justice.

The chapter provides an overview of the institutional and policy context in which various components of environmental justice have emerged in India. The neoliberal policies introduced in the early 1990s influenced the reforms brought to the environmental impact assessment regime, the judiciary and other institutions of environmental governance. The establishment of the National Green Tribunal and its implications for environmental justice, environmental protection and the poor are discussed at length. Drawing upon theoretical insights from legal and development scholars, the chapter introduces the conceptual framework used for the book. It questions the traditional conception of environmental justice and underlines the importance of the recognitional, procedural, distributive and restorative aspects of environmental and social justice in India. The chapter includes a summary of the major contribution made by each chapter of the book.

Sagarmala is an ambitious port-led coastal infrastructure programme launched by the Government of India that will have extensive impacts on people and the environment. Expansion of the Karwar port is one of four projects proposed for the Karnataka coast. Communities affected by the Karwar port expansion disapprove of the project and have challenged the environmental clearance (EC) decision for the project, seeking remedies through the judicial system. This chapter examines the environmental impact assessment (EIA) conducted by the regulatory agencies and the implications of the EC and the court decisions for affected communities. Lack of attention to environmental justice during the EIA calls into question the fairness of the EC decision-making. Procedural lapses, concealment of vital information, failure to recognize comprehensive impacts and failure to suggest restorative and preventive measures raise questions about the competence of the scientific and environmental regulatory agencies involved. The chapter also reveals how seeking justice through judicial means can be a burden on rural communities that are affected by state-promoted projects like this. To avoid environmental conflicts in the future, the objectivity and effectiveness of EIA and environmental regulatory agencies in India must be advanced significantly, and if a project like Sagarmala is to meet its purpose, the vast array of environmental concerns it raises must be addressed fairly and systematically.

Himachal Pradesh, in the Western Himalaya, has significant hydropower potential and is rapidly developing the resource in conjunction with private developers. Due to the negative impacts associated with large-scale projects, Himachal Pradesh authorities have promoted small hydro, thought to have more abundant social and economic benefits for local residents and fewer adverse environmental impacts. This chapter examines the implications of small hydro development in Himachal Pradesh using a framework encompassing good governance, aspects of sustainable development and four dimensions of environmental justice (recognitional, procedural, distributive and restorative). The study conducted an inset appraisal of five projects in the Kullu District, using a combination of document review, field observations and semi-structured interviews with residents, activists, government officials and project proponents. Small hydro may enhance the state and regional economies but local environment-society cascading impacts are less well understood. The chapter analyses benefits such as job creation and improved infrastructure, as well as adverse impacts on aquaculture, traditional milling livelihoods, irrigation potential and river corridor ecology and hydrology. Good governance, sustainable development and environmental justice would be advanced by increased local involvement in planning and approvals, and if small hydro was subjected to periodic strategic assessments and catchment-based cumulative effects assessments.

Development that addresses the needs of marginalized communities in India requires innovative public policies, programmes and institutions. Over the last three decades, India has adopted several such initiatives in an attempt to offset the adverse impacts of rapid industrialization. These measures include the creation of environmental assessment, clearance, enforcement and compliance mechanisms. This chapter analyses and explores these mechanisms and their implications for environmental justice in relation to the approval and operation of the Sterlite Copper smelter in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu. The analytical framework encompasses procedural, distributive, recognitional and restorative justice. A qualitative content analysis of legislation, court decisions and media reports reveals significant regulatory and licensing violations by the company and gaps in enforcement and compliance on the part of environmental regulatory agencies. As a result, environmental conditions, community health and livelihood security have steadily deteriorated and people's trust in the state, governance institutions and law have become increasingly fragile. Matters were worsened by inconsistent decisions by the courts and lack of responsiveness on the part of legislators to amend ineffective legislation. The case highlights that fundamental changes are still needed in assessment and clearance processes, procedures, norms and practices in order to make meaningful progress on environmental justice.

Himachal Pradesh, in the Western Himalaya, has significant hydropower potential and is rapidly developing the resource in conjunction with private developers. Due to the negative impacts associated with large-scale projects, Himachal Pradesh authorities have promoted small hydro, thought to have more abundant social and economic benefits for local residents and fewer adverse environmental impacts. This chapter examines the implications of small hydro development in Himachal Pradesh using a framework encompassing good governance, aspects of sustainable development and four dimensions of environmental justice (recognitional, procedural, distributive and restorative). The study conducted an inset appraisal of five projects in the Kullu District, using a combination of document review, field observations and semi-structured interviews with residents, activists, government officials and project proponents. Small hydro may enhance the state and regional economies but local environment-society cascading impacts are less well understood. The chapter analyses benefits such as job creation and improved infrastructure, as well as adverse impacts on aquaculture, traditional milling livelihoods, irrigation potential and river corridor ecology and hydrology. Good governance, sustainable development and environmental justice would be advanced by increased local involvement in planning and approvals, and if small hydro was subjected to periodic strategic assessments and catchment-based cumulative effects assessments.

In 2013, the Tata Power Corporation established a 4000 MW coal-fired power plant along the Kutch coastline. The plant has had widespread adverse impacts on the environment as well as on public health, sociocultural values and mixed agrarian and coastal livelihood systems in the region. The US$4.2 billion project was partly funded by several international banks, including the World Bank Group's International Finance Corporation (IFC). After unsuccessful attempts at seeking justice through domestic environmental impact assessment and approval processes, the local communities turned to the IFC's accountability mechanism. To date, the IFC's involvement in the project has been the subject of two formal complaints submitted by project-impacted communities, and a lawsuit in the US court system that reached the Supreme Court. This chapter discusses how these domestic and international institutions have failed to provide justice for the local communities affected by the plant. It also suggests ways to address the environmental injustices in this case, including bolstering the IFC's authority to enforce remedies for environmental damage and compensate for harm inflicted on the communities.