Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Consideration of Climate Change on Environmental Impact Assessment in Tanzania: Challenges and Prospects

  • Published:
Environmental Management Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The potential of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process to respond to climate change impacts of development projects can only be realized with the support of policies, regulations, and actors’ engagement. While considering climate change in EIA has become partly mandatory through the EU revised Directive in Europe, African countries are still lagging. This paper assesses Tanzanian policies, laws, regulations, and EIA reports to uncover consideration of climate change impacts, adaptation, and mitigation measures, drawing from the transformational role of EIA. The methodology integrates content analysis, interpretive policy analysis, and discourse analysis. The analyses draw from environmental policy, three regulatory documents and three EIA reports in Tanzania using a multi-cases study design. The aim was to understand how considering Climate Change issues in EIA has played out in practice. Results reveal less consideration of climate change issues in EIA. The policy, laws, and regulations do not guide when and how the EIA process should consider climate change-related impacts mitigation and adaptation. The practice of EIA in the country is utterly procedural in line with regulations provisions. Consequently, environmental impact statements only profile the climatology of the study area without conducting a deeper analysis of the historical and future climate to enhance the resilience of proposed projects. The weakness exposed in the laws and regulations contributes to the challenges of responding to the impacts of climate change through the EIA process. It is possible to address climate change issues throughout the project life cycle, including design, approval, implementation, monitoring, and auditing, provided the policy and regulations guide how and when the EIA process should consider climate change issues. Additionally, increasing stakeholders’ awareness and participation can enhance the EIA process’s potential to respond to the impacts of climate change.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Addaney M (2018) Climate change adaptation law and policy in the African Union: creating legal pathways for adaptation. Conference Proceedings of Adaptation Futures. https://openbooks.uct.ac.za/uct/catalog/download/AF18/27/955-1?inline=1

  • African Union (2004) ‘Assembly of the African Union the Second Extraordinary Session’, Sirte, Libya, 28th February. African Union

  • Agrawala S, Kramer AM, Richard GP, Sainsbury M (2010) Incorporating climate change impacts and adaptation in environmental impacts assessments “Opportunities and Challenges”. OECD Environmental Working Paper No. 24, OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/5km959r3jcmw-en

  • Agrawala S, Matus Kramer A, Prudent-Richard G, Sainsbury M, Schreitter V (2012) Incorporating climate change impacts and adaptation in environmental impact assessments: opportunities and challenges. Clim Dev 4(1):26–39

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aljareo A (2014) How is climate change incorporated into Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) in South Africa? Abdulhakim Aljareo. (October)

  • Bartlett RV, Kurian PA (1999) The theory of environmental impact assessment: Implicitly models of policy making. Policy Press 27(4):415–433. https://doi.org/10.1332/030557399782218371

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bockel L (2009) How to mainstream climate change adaptation and mitigation into agriculture policies. Easy Policy. FAO

  • Byer P, Cestti R, Croal P, Fisher W, Hazell S, Kolhoff A, Kornov L (2012) Climate change in impact assessment: international best practice principles. Special Publication Series No. 8. International Association for Impact Assessment, Fargo USA

  • CARICOM (2004) Guide to the intergration of Climate Change Adaptation Into the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Caribbean Countries

  • Chang IS, Wu J (2013) Integration of climate change considerations into environmental impact assessment—Implementation, problems and recommendations for China. Front Environ Sci Eng 7(4):598–607. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-013-0496-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Directive 2001/42/EC (SEA Directive) of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 June 2001 on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment. http://eurlex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32001L0042

  • Directive 2011/92/EU (EIA Directive) of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 December 2011 on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment. http://eurlex.europa.eu/legalcontent/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32011L0092

  • Directive 2014/52/EU (amended EIA Directive) of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 amending Directive 2011/92/EU on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment. http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legalcontent/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:32014L0052

  • Dube OP (2015) Global environmental change and vulnerability of Least Developed Countries to extreme events: Editorial on the special issue. Weather Clim Extreme 7(Special issue):2–7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wace.2015.03.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ebneyamini S, Moghadam MRS (2018) Toward developing a framework for conducting case study research. Int J Qual Methods 17(1):1–11. https://doi.org/10.1177/1609406918817954

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Egging M (2013) Climate change in strategic environmental assessment: a research on the extent of climate change incorporation in ENvironmental Statements Belonging to Dutch structure visions and underlying explanations, MSc Thesis, Wageningen University. https://www.wur.nl/upload_mm/8/e/1/6f7d983b-55fb-4d67-9d08-f2d3f915b4b5_Egging_Matte_THE_LUP80436_201310.pdf

  • European Commission (2016) Climate change for major projects: outline of the climate change related requirements and guidance for major projects in the 2014-2020 programming period https://ec.europa.eu/clima/sites/clima/files/docs/major_projects_en.pdf

  • Fischer TB, Onyango V (2012) Strategic environmental assessment-related research projects and journal articles: an overview of the past 20 years, 30(4), 253–263. https://doi.org/10.1080/14615517.2012.740953

  • Gao Q (2018) Mainstreaming climate change into the EIA procedures: a perspective from China. Int J Clim Change Strategies and Manag 10(3):342–358. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCCSM-04-2016-0040

  • Gemeda DO, Sima AD (2015) The impacts of climate change on African continent and the way forward. J Ecol Natural Environ 7(10):256–262. https://doi.org/10.5897/JENE2015

  • Heim R (2015) An overview of weather and climate extremes—products and trends. Weather Clim Extreme 10:1–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wace.2015.11.001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hsieh HF, Shannon SE (2005) Three approaches to qualitative content analysis. Qual Health Res 15(9):1277–1288. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732305276687

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • International Union for Conservation of Nature (2019) Technical review of the Environmental Impact Assessment for the Rufiji Hydropower Project in Selous Game Reserve, Tanzania Gland, Switzerland

  • International Association for Impact Assessment (2013) Challenges to integrate climate change consideration in environmental impact assessment: IAIA 13 Conference Proceedings- https://conferences.iaia.org/2013/pdf/Final%20papers%20review%20process%2013/Challenges%20to%20Integrate%20Climate%20Change%20Considerations%20in%20Environmental%20Impact%20Assessment.pdf (Accessed 21 June 2020)

  • IPCC (2014) Climate Change 2014: Synthesis Report. Contribution of Working Groups I, II and III to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. In: Core Writing Team, Pachauri RK, Meyer LA (eds.)]. IPCC, Geneva, Switzerland

  • IPCC (2018) Summary for policymakers. In: Global warming of 1.5 °C. An IPCC Special Report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels and related global greenhouse gas emission pathways, in the context of strengthening the global response to the threat of climate change, sustainable development, and efforts to eradicate poverty. In: Masson-Delmotte V, Zhai P, Pörtner HO, Roberts D, Skea J, Shukla PR, Pirani A, Moufouma-Okia W, Péan C, Pidcock R, Connors S, Matthews JBR, Chen Y, Zhou X, Gomis MI, Lonnoy E, Maycock T, Tignor M, Waterfield T (eds.). World Meteorological Organization, Geneva, Switzerland, 32 pp

  • Jiri O, Mafongoya P, Chivenge P (2015) Smallholder farmer perceptions on climate change and variability: a predisposition for their subsequent adaptation strategies. Earth Sci Clim Chang 6(5). https://doi.org/10.4172/2157-7617.1000277

  • Kamau JW, Mwaura F (2013) Climate change adaptation and EIA studies in Kenya. Int J Clim Chang Strateg Manag 5(2):152–165

  • Kamau JW, Mwaura F (2015) Climate change adaptation and EIA studies in Kenya. (May 2013). https://doi.org/10.1108/17568691311327569

  • Kørnøv L, Kolhoff A, Cestti R (2012) Climate change in impact assessment: international best practice principles. Impact Assess Proj Appraisal 8:1–4. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/258858588_Climate_Change_in_Impact_Assessment_International_Best_Practice_Principles

    Google Scholar 

  • Krippendorff K (2012) Content analysis: an introduction to its methodology (3rd edn.). Sage Publications

  • Larsen SV (2012) Climate Change in Environmental Impact Assessment of Renewable Energy Projects. In Conference Proceedings of IAIA12: Energy Future-The Role of Impact Assessment International Association for Impact Assessment. http://www.iaia.org/conferences/iaia12/Final_Paper_Review.aspx

  • Larsen SV (2013) Climate change in EIA—Inspiration from practice. In: Impact Assessment the Next Generation 33rd Annual Meeting of the International Association for Impact Assessment. pp. 1–6. IAIA

  • Larsen SV (2014) Is environmental impact assessment fulfilling its potential? The case of climate change in renewable energy projects. Impact Assess Proj Appraisal 32:234–240. https://doi.org/10.1080/14615517.2014.898386

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lucia S (2013) Challenges to integrate climate change considerations in environmental impact box 1 case study: incorporation of climate change in EIA Box 2—barriers on CC integration in EIA: a survey of Australian CC-EIA, (May). pp. 1–6. IAIA

  • Mahmoudi H, Sayahnia R, Esmaeilzadeh H, Azadi H (2018) Integrating resilience assessment in environmental impact assessment. Integr Environ Assess Manag 14(5):567–570

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Matemilola S, Adedeji OH, Elegbede IFK (2019) Mainstreaming climate change into EIA processes in Nigeria: perspectives from projects in the Niger Delta Region. Climate 7(2):29. https://doi.org/10.3390/cli7020029

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meijer PC, Verloop N, Beijaard D (2002) Multi-method triangulation in a qualitative study on teachers’ practical knowledge: An attempt to increase internal validity. Qual Quant 36(2):145–167. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1014984232147

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Muller JC, Cross R (2014) Adapting to climate change and addressing drought—learning from the Red Cross Red Crescent experiences in the Horn of Africa. Weather Clim Extreme 3:31–36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wace.2014.03.009

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Niang I, Ruppel OC, MAMA Abdrabo, Essel A, Lennard C, Padgham J, Urquhart P (2014) Africa. Climate Change 2014: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability. Part B: Regional Aspects. Contribution of Working Group II to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. In: Barros VR, Field CB, Dokken DJ, Mastrandrea, MD (eds). Cambridge University Press,Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, USA, pp. 1199–1265.

  • Norton RK (2008) Using content analysis to evaluate local master plans and zoning codes. Land Use Policy 25(3):432–454. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2007.10.006

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ochieng MA, Koske J (2013) The level of climate change awareness and perception among primary school teachers in Kisumu Municipality. Kenya Dep Environ Educ 3(21):174–179

    Google Scholar 

  • Palinkas LA, Horwitz SM, Green CA, Wisdom JP, Duan N, Hoagwood K (2015) Purposeful sampling for qualitative data collection and analysis in mixed method implementation research. Adm Policy Ment Health Ment Health Serv Res 42(5):533–544. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-013-0528-y

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pauline NM, Vogel C, Grab S, Liwenga ET (2017) Smallholder farmers in the Great Ruaha River sub-Basin of Tanzania: coping or adapting to rainfall variability? Clim Dev 9(3):217–230

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pauline NM, Grab S (2018) Whose knowledge matters in climate change adaptation? Perceived and measured rainfall trends during the last half-century in south-western Tanzania. Singap J Trop Geogr 39(2):266–280

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Posas PJ (2011) Exploring climate change criteria for strategic environmental assessments. Prog Plan 75:109–154

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pürrer AJ, Wachter TF, Driscoll P (2019) Perspectives from 2037-can environmental impact assessment be the solution for an early consideration of climate change-related impacts? Sustainability 11(15):4002. 1-18

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rweyendela AG, Mwegoha WJ (2022) The treatment of climate change impacts and adaptation in the environmental impact assessment of the standard Gauge railway project in Tanzania. Clim Dev 14(3):239–249. https://doi.org/10.1080/17565529.2021.1911774

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Silina M (2017) Should climate change be included in EIA and SEA? MOPs to the UNECE Espoo Convention and the Protocol on SEA, 7th and 3rd sessions panel discussion on the role of the Protocol and the Convention in addressing climate change. European Eco Forum, June 16, 2017. Minsk, Belarus

  • Sok V, Bryan J, Boruff, Sounders AM (2011) Addressing climate change through environmental impacts assessment: international perspectives from survey of IAIA members. Impacts Assess Proj Appraisal 29(4):317–325

  • Stake RE (2005) Multiple case study analysis. The Guilford Press.

  • TANESCO (2018) Environmental impacts assessment report for the Stiegler’s Gorge Hydropower Project, Tanzania. University of Dar es salaam Consultancy Bureau, Dar es salaam

    Google Scholar 

  • TANROADS (2015) Dar es Salaam bus rapid transit environmental and social economic impacts assessment. TANROADS, Dar es salaam

    Google Scholar 

  • Total East Africa Midstream BV (2018) Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) Project. Tanzania. Dar es Salaam

  • Twerefou DK, Chinowsky P, Adjei-Mantey K, Strzepek NL (2015) The economic impact of climate change on road infrastructure in Ghana. Sustainability 7(9):11949–11966. https://doi.org/10.3390/su70911949

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • United Republic of Tanzania (2021) National Environmental Policy. Vice President’s Office, Dar es Salaam

    Google Scholar 

  • United Republic of Tanzania, URT (2004) Environmental Management Act 2004 (EMA 2004). Tanzania, Dar es Salaam

  • United Republic of Tanzania (2005) Environmental Impacts Assessment and Audit Regulations, 2005. Tanzania, Dar es Salaam

    Google Scholar 

  • United Republic of Tanzania (2018) The Environmental Management (Environmental Impact Assessment and Audit) (Amendments) Regulations, 2018. United Republic of Tanzania, Dar es Salaam

  • Vong S, Bryan BJ, Morrison-saunders A (2011) Addressing climate change through environmental impact assessment: international perspectives from a survey of IAIA members, impact assessment and project appraisal. 29(4):317–325. https://doi.org/10.3152/146155111X12959673796001

  • Willway T, Baldachin L, Reeves S, Harding M (2008) The effects of climate change on highway pavements and how to minimise them. The Transport Research Laboratory. Technical report

  • Yanow D (2007) Interpretation in policy analysis: on methods and practice. Crit Policy Stud 1(1):110–122. https://doi.org/10.1080/19460171.2007.9518511

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yi J, Hacking T (2011) Incorporating climate change into environmental impact assessment: perspectives from urban development projects in South Korea. Procedia Eng 21:907–914. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2011.11.2093

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yi J, Hacking T (2012) Gaps in EIA incorporating climate change. In: “IAIA12 Conference Proceedings” Energy Future The Role of Impact Assessment 32nd Annual Meeting of the International Association for Impact Assessment. University of Cambridge, Porto, Portugal. pp. 1–6

  • Yin RK (1984) Case study research: design and methods. Sage Publications, Sage

    Google Scholar 

  • Yin RK (2009) Case study research design and methods, 4th edn. Sage Publications, Sage

    Google Scholar 

  • Zainal Z (2007) Case study as a research method. Jurnal Kemanusiaan, 5(1)

Download references

Acknowledgements

The institutions that availed the EIA reports studied to inform the writing of this article are acknowledged with explicitly in-text citations and references at the end.

Author Contributions

NMP and GAL wrote together the manuscript, including the main text, figures, and tables.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Resource Assessment, University of Dar es Salaam, P.O. Box 35097, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

    Noah M. Pauline

  2. Department of Geography, College of Social Sciences, University of Dar es Salaam, P.O. Box 35051, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

    Godwin A. Lema

Authors
  1. Noah M. Pauline
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Godwin A. Lema
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Noah M. Pauline.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare no competing interests.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Pauline, N.M., Lema, G.A. Consideration of Climate Change on Environmental Impact Assessment in Tanzania: Challenges and Prospects. Environmental Management (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-024-01972-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-024-01972-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation