An environmental impact study is a technical and administrative procedure that must be presented before the competent authorities when requesting a permit for a project. When an initiative affects the rights and interests of indigenous and tribal peoples, this requires applying the standards of human rights that the international community adopted to preserve, protect, and guarantee their special relation with the territory and their livelihood as a community.
States are required to meet these standards, however, the reality is very different. Generally speaking, these studies must be done before granting permits. Yet, many indigenous and tribal peoples reveal that, in the majority of cases, these actually take place after. The analysis of these studies must be conducted by independent and technically capable entities, and supervised by the State. Often, however, the entity leading the project is the one that directly conducts, finances, or promotes the study, which compromises the results of the evaluations.
Environmental impact studies must assess the accumulated impact of existing projects and those that are expected to take place in the framework of the proposed initiative. They must be developed with the complete participation of the affected communities. In other words, through free, prior and informed consultation and free, prior and informed consent, when relevant. Likewise, results must be shared so that communities can make an informed decision.
Despite all of this, these studies often fail to measure spiritual or cultural impacts which implies that communities did not have access to enough, appropriate, or timely information when they were consulted regarding a specific permit.
States are required to meet these standards, however, the reality is very different. Generally speaking, these studies must be done before granting permits. Yet, many indigenous and tribal peoples reveal that, in the majority of cases, these actually take place after. The analysis of these studies must be conducted by independent and technically capable entities, and supervised by the State. Often, however, the entity leading the project is the one that directly conducts, finances, or promotes the study, which compromises the results of the evaluations.
Environmental impact studies must assess the accumulated impact of existing projects and those that are expected to take place in the framework of the proposed initiative. They must be developed with the complete participation of the affected communities. In other words, through free, prior and informed consultation and free, prior and informed consent, when relevant. Likewise, results must be shared so that communities can make an informed decision.
Despite all of this, these studies often fail to measure spiritual or cultural impacts which implies that communities did not have access to enough, appropriate, or timely information when they were consulted regarding a specific permit.