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Toward Sustainable Development: Environmental Impact Assessment Challenges and Opportunities in Ethiopia
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DOI：10.1016/j.envdev.2026.101436.png)
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Abstract
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Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a holistic and multidisciplinary process aimed at proactively identifying the potentially significant impacts of proposed project activities on the biophysical, cultural, political, and socioeconomic components of the environment, and human health. In Ethiopia, various challenges, including low governmental and community awareness, political instability, weak project planning, unsustainable natural resource utilization amidst rapid population growth, chronic poverty, and a lack of relevant scientific knowledge, contribute to significant environmental degradation. This review identifies the major opportunities, challenges, and gaps in the practical implementation of EIA by systematically analyzing governmental documents, policies, and secondary data. While Ethiopia has established a robust legislative framework for EIA, including an inclusive constitution, comprehensive environmental policies, and well-defined proclamations, critical gaps remain. These include a lack of implementing laws, inadequate enforcement, and insufficient capacity at ecological protection agencies, limited public participation, and weak political commitment. As a result, EIA often functions as a mere formality rather than a proactive tool for sustainable development, risking environmental degradation and undermining Ethiopia's developmental goals. This review recommends integrating EIA into all sectoral regulations, strengthening institutional structures, enhancing capacity building for EIA professionals, linking project financing to EIA compliance, and fostering public participation and transparency. By adopting these measures and promoting multi-sector collaboration, Ethiopia can revitalize its EIA framework and ensure effective environmental governance, advancing sustainable development and addressing future ecological challenges. Further research on EIA practices is essential for ongoing improvement in this critical area.
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