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Survey Finds Mixed Picture on Disclosure of Environmental Impact Assessments
Update (October 13th, 2016): The Public is Still in the Dark on Environmental Impact Assessments
Myanmar Centre for Responsible Business has published a survey which examines how many Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) and Initial Environmental Examinations (IEE) have been published.
The survey focusses on oil and gas companies in Myanmar who were awarded blocks after 2013. It finds that 11 out of 19 offshore blocks (58%) and 4 out of 15 onshore blocks (26%) have published their IEEs or EIAs on the internet.
Although this is less than 50%, the overall level of disclosure in the oil and gas sector is higher than in other sectors in Myanmar such as mining and construction where very few EIA and IEE have been published. The survey also analyses the challenges faced by companies in complying with the new requirement for IEE/EIA and disclosure, and makes recommendations for how these can be addressed.
The question of pre-existing projects is also highlighted. Under Article 8 of the new EIA Procedures, these need to take steps to submit Environmental Management Plans to obtain an Environmental Compliance Certificate from MOECAF.
