Environmental and Social Impact Assessment and Planning

It is increasingly important for clients to better understand, manage and mitigate their impact on the natural environment (air, water, soil, biodiversity) and to minimize their exposure to climate-related risks. With the climate crisis we are all facing, there is increased public awareness, climate regulations, corporate environmental, social and governance (ESG) targets and pressure from investors to apply ESG criteria in decision-making and project delivery.

We help navigate these complexities by providing comprehensive environmental planning, assessment, management and compliance services that meet these objectives while balancing sustainability outcomes with economic growth and social value.

Our Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) and Planning teams specialize in the process of securing approvals, permitting, licensing, and planning support. We work with organizations focused on investing, developing, or expanding existing assets, seeking on-going maintenance for their operations and infrastructure, or the closure of their facilities. We are involved in the full lifecycle delivery of projects, including the strategic advisory, investment, procurement, due diligence, planning, construction, and monitoring phases. In each case, we work to deliver positive outcomes for all stakeholders.

Local Expertise, Worldwide

With our multidisciplinary team of planners, scientists and engineers, we are well positioned to analyze the environments in which projects are undertaken. We combine our experience with global standards such as CDP, the Equator Principles, and International Finance Corporation’s Performance Standards, with a thorough understanding of the local regulatory systems and cultural sensitivities.

Our work is aligned with the specific needs and characteristics of different geographies or sectors. Our ability to draw on expertise from our offices around the world, across a broad range of environmental and social disciplines, is a key differentiator in delivering successful results. We offer both management and technical delivery capabilities, embedding our impact assessment expertise in projects across various sectors, including mining, oil and gas, power, transportation and infrastructure, properties and buildings and manufacturing.

Keeping Up With a Changing Environment

From climate change considerations to integrated assessments – combining environmental and social dimensions – our experts have insights on the latest developments in the field. Ever- evolving technologies and approaches, including digital ESIA, virtual stakeholder consultation and augmented reality this provides our clients and stakeholders with a concrete and realistic understanding of their project’s impact.

Community Focused

Each location and community for which the project serves is unique so we understand the importance and have experience in Indigenous and stakeholder engagement, public consultation, and strategic planning. We help clients position and optimize their projects by helping them to effectively collaborate with Indigenous communities and stakeholders on project design, implementation and monitoring to minimize adverse projects impacts and maximize project benefits; and engage with communities to identify mechanisms to maximize a project’s shared value and contribution to the communities sustainable development.

Impactful Projects

Los Angeles, California, USA

Ramona Gardens Natural Park, Los Angeles, USA

Ramona Gardens is in the top 1% of the most polluted communities in California. Residents suffer disproportionately high levels of respiratory diseases, with children suffering from asthma at twice the state average.

Øresund, Sweden

Restoration of Eelgrass Meadows

Southern Sweden is subjected to extensive coastal erosion, in part due to rising sea levels, increased maritime traffic and extreme weather due to climate change.

Bay of Plenty, New Zealand

Kaituna River Re-diversion and Maketu Estuary Enhancement Project

After an absence of more than 60 years, significant volumes of freshwater is again flowing through the Te Awa o Ngātoroirangi / Maketu Estuary on the Bay of Plenty Coast in New Zealand. Mud crabs, tuangi (cockles), and titiko (mud snails) have all started to recolonize the area.