EIA Engineer key terms

A defined service or performance basis used to compare alternatives consistently within an environmental assessment.

The selected scope of processes, places and time periods included in an account or assessment and its stated limitations.

A defined reference against which a result or proposed change is compared, rather than an unstated assumption about the past.

An assessment of environmental inputs and effects across defined life stages using a stated boundary and consistent comparison basis.

An economic account including relevant costs over a defined period, distinguished from a direct measure of environmental effects.

A process connecting intended system performance with verification and operational readiness rather than simply collecting handover documents.

An environmental burden associated with relevant material and production stages under a stated life-cycle boundary and method.

Energy used while a system delivers its service during the defined operating period, distinct from manufacturing-stage energy.

An account of water inflows, outflows and change in storage for a defined system and time period.

Water moving over surfaces after precipitation, which can transport sediment or contaminants depending on local conditions.

Detachment and movement of soil or other surface material by processes such as flowing water or wind.

Deposition of transported particles when conditions no longer keep them in motion within the relevant water or air flow.

Previously developed land whose suitability for a new use still requires attention to contamination, existing uses and local context.

Variation in living organisms and ecological organization that cannot be fully represented by the area of planted greenery alone.

The degree to which landscape conditions permit relevant movement and ecological interaction among habitat areas for the organisms considered.

Action intended to reduce contributions to climate change, distinguished from adapting a system to the effects of changing conditions.

Adjustment intended to reduce vulnerability to relevant climate conditions, evaluated with assumptions about future exposures and the service needed.

The ability of a defined system to withstand, respond to or recover from disturbance while maintaining or restoring relevant functions.

Conditions experienced by occupants involving factors such as air quality, thermal conditions, lighting and acoustics in the actual setting.

Reducing a contaminant at its origin rather than relying exclusively on later dilution, capture or personal exposure protection.

Structured environmental information about a product under a defined method, without an unconditional guarantee that it is the best option.

A person, organism, community or environmental component that may be affected through a described exposure or impact pathway.

The chain connecting a proposed activity and environmental change with a potential consequence for a specified receptor.

Examining how a model result changes when relevant inputs or assumptions vary within a justified range.

A defined arrangement for indicators, methods, locations, timing and the review or response associated with observed results.