EIA Process in Botswana

EIA is a predictive exercise in which the significant potential changes induced by projects are identified, evaluated, and taken into account by decision-makers before the permission to proceed is granted.
The integration of EIA into the project planning cycle projects features prominently in the development policy agenda of most countries, including Botswana.
The EIA project cycle consists of managed processes which are intended to provide information to decision-makers at every stage of the project planning cycle.
Theoretically, the process is supposed to ensure that before planning permission is granted for a project to proceed:
The baseline environment prior to project development is established; Impacts of projects are predicted;

The service predicts and evaluates environmental consequences of projects, plans, programs, and policies to mitigate negative impacts and thus also enhance positive impacts.

It is guided by the Environmental Assessment Act of 2010 and the Environmental Assessment Regulations of 2012. An environmental Impact Statement (EIS) refers to an environmental assessment report. Botswana Environmental Assessment Practitioners Board is responsible for the registration and certification of practitioners as per Section 24 of the Environmental Assessment Act of 2010.  Also, see Botswana Environmental Assessment Practitioners Association (BEAPA) website (http://www.beapa.org.bw).   

Purpose of Environmental Assessment

  • Is applied to prevent or minimize the adverse effects of major developments proposals
  • It is used as a planning tool to promote sustainable development by integrating environmental considerations into a wide range of proposed actions
  • It is a procedural mechanism that provides information that can be used to improve the quality of decision making
  • It guides planners and developers on issues of location, design, and size and helps provide alternative solutions
  • It provides an opportunity for Interested and Affected Parties (IAPs) to participate in the planning phase of development activities

Who is eligible?

All persons who wish to undertake or implement activities prescribed under Regulation 3 of the Environmental Assessment Act of 2010. (See document Environmental Assessment Regulation)

How do I get this service?

Download, complete and submit a completed Project Brief Form to the nearest Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) office.

The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) should review the form and respond through a letter/saving ram. The details contained in the form are used by DEA to assess and screen the planned activity and decisions will occur as follows:

  1. Activity may be authorized to proceed without being subjected to a detailed Environmental Assessment study; or
  2. An Environmental Management Plan (EMP) may be required prior to project implementation and the following will be required
  • Engage a certified Environmental Practitioner, the list can be found at (http://www.beapa.org.bw/std-content.php?cid=21) at the developer’s expense.
  • The practitioner should develop the EMP in accordance with the EA Act of 2010  and guidelines   provided in the Environmental Assessment Regulations, 2012 ;
  • Submit the draft report to the Department of Environmental Affairs for review and the department should respond through a letter;
  1. A detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study may be required prior to project implementation and this needs to be done:
    • Engage a certified Environmental Practitioner, the list can be found at (http://www.beapa.org.bw/std-content.php?cid=21) at the developer’s expense.
    •    The practitioner should publicize the intended activity, its effects, and benefits in the  media using the official languages for a period of not less than 21 days;
    •  After the expiration of the period of 21 days, the practitioner should hold meetings with the affected people or communities to explain the nature of the activity and its effects as per Section 7 of EA Act of 2010
    •    The practitioner should develop the first report called the Scoping Report and Terms of Reference (ToR) in accordance with the EA Act of 2010 and guidelines provided in the Environmental Assessment Regulations, 2012.
    •     Submit the draft Scoping Report and Terms of Reference to the Department of Environmental Affairs for review.
    •    The practitioner should then develop and submit the draft Environmental Impact Assessment report for review following approval of the Scoping Report and Terms of Reference.
    •    The draft report should be reviewed and the response is given through a letter.
    •    Where the statement complies with the requirements prescribed, the Competent Authority should place, at the developer’s expense, a notification in the Gazette and in a newspaper circulating at least once weekly using the official languages, for four consecutive weeks, inviting comments or objections from those persons who are most likely to be affected by the proposed activity and another interested person
    •    If the report meets all the requirements considered by the Competent Authority and provisions of the EA Act, the report is approved 
  2. If a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is required prior to the implementation of a plan, program, or policy the below needs to be done:
    • The SEA process follows similar steps as outlined above for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process

What supporting documents are required?

  • Proof of land ownership (title deed, a certificate for the plot, lease agreement, prospecting license, etc.)
  • Certificate of incorporation for the company including Share certificate. If applying as an individual, a copy of your National Identity Document or Passport
  • Location map/sketch map showing the project’s physical location
  • The production process clearly shows all inputs and outputs at each stage of the process

How long will this service take?

Different stages of the Environmental Assessment process are subjected to different review timelines as follows:

  • Project Briefs are reviewed within 10 working days from the time of submission
  • Advertisement for Public, Interested, and Affected Parties (IAP) Consultation runs for a period of 21 days
  • Scoping reports with Terms of Reference are reviewed within 28 working days
  • Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), Environmental Management Plans (EMP), and Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA) are all reviewed within 60 working days

How much does it cost?

  • Review of project briefs is standard for all activities and is charged at BWP10.00
  • Review of all environmental assessment reports will be related to project cost as follows:
COSTCHARGE
Less than P100 000                     BWP100.00
BWP100 000-P499 999               BWP100.00
BWP500 000-P999 999               BWP500.00
BWP1 000 000-P9 999 999         BWP750.00
BWP10 000 000-P49 999 999     BW P1000.00
BWP 50 000 000 or more           BWP1500.00

EIA is a predictive exercise in which the significant potential changes induced by projects are identified, evaluated, and taken into account by decision-makers before the permission to proceed
is granted.
The integration of EIA into the project planning cycle of projects features prominently in the development policy agenda of most countries, including Botswana.
The EIA project cycle consists of managed processes which are intended to provide information to decision-makers at every stage of the project planning cycle.
Theoretically, the process is supposed to ensure that before a planning permission is granted for a project to proceed:
The baseline environment prior to project development is established; Impacts of projects are predicted;