Environmental impact study system in the framework of sustainable development between social value and legal limits

Abstract

Until recently, a government’s power was measured by its military arsenal. Today, it is decided by its economic power which is founded on a set of criteria namely the environment supplying the needed raw materials and which is indispensible in industry. Possessing such environment is often a priority to any country striving to fulfill progress and peace. Therefore, it was of utmost necessity to establish a set of regulations to oversee the economic activities so as to guarantee a society’s right to development but through environment-friendly procedures by relying on what is known as the system of environmental impact assessment. The issue of environmental impact assessment is crucial as an environmental regulation tool used as an intervention in environment protection vis-à-vis economic activities. This highlighted importance stems from the growing number of classified institutions, natural resources overuse and pollution. Therefore, what is the nature of this system? And procedures are adopted when implementing it?

The aim is to reach an exhaustive understanding of impact assessment system so that it is easier to recognize the procedures followed, be them traditional or modern, all while correlating the legal limitations with its counterpart social and economic ones.