Criteria (include justification for criteria)

Rationale for Criteria

Not at all prepared

 (0)

Preparation in embryonic stage (1)

Partially prepared (2)

Fully prepared and ready (3)

Policy for the development of oil and gas sector

Provides vision, guidance, blueprint, accountability, efficiency and clarity for sector operation and promotes consistency in decision and actions of the government

No policy exists for the development of the oil and gas sector

Policy is still in draft form.

Policy exists but it does not have clear and explicit provisions for the development of the oil and gas sector

Policy exists that has clear and explicit provisions for the development of the oil and gas sector

Legislation for oil and gas sector

Critical to regulate the oil and gas industry/sector with respect particularly to exploration and production.

No legislation exists for the development of oil and gas sector

Legislation is being drafted.

Legislation exists but does not have clear and explicit provisions for the development of the oil and gas sector

Legislation exists that has clear and explicit provisions for the development of the oil and gas sector

Legislative framework for EIA -

Environmental Protection (EP) Act that addresses the oil and gas sector

Critical to address environmental and social impacts of oil and gas exploration and production

EP Act does not have any provisions for the EIA process for oil and gas

EIA legislation is in draft/being drafted.

EP Act has provisions for the EIA process for oil and gas, but it is not clear and explicit

EP Act has clear and explicit provisions (including steps and requirements) for the EIA process for oil and gas

Awareness of stakeholders of EIA process

Awareness can enable persons to act accordingly, as well as be more engaged in the EIA process

Stakeholders lack awareness of the EIA concept, the role it plays in development approval and its benefits among most stakeholders (general public, decision-making authorities, developers, etc.)

Stakeholders have very little awareness of the EIA concept, the role it plays in development approval and its benefits among most stakeholders (general public, decision-making authorities, developers, etc.)

Stakeholders have limited awareness of the EIA concept, the role it plays in development approval and its benefits among few stakeholders (general public, decision-making authorities, developers, etc.)

Stakeholders are fully aware of the EIA concept, the role it plays in development approval and its benefits among most stakeholders (general public, decision-making authorities, developers, etc.)

Human resource capacity at the EPA and institutions related directly or indirectly to the management of oil and gas sector

This is important as employees of the EPA and other institutions must be empowered with the requisite knowledge and skills to effectively manage the oil and gas sector.

No professionals trained at the postgraduate level in oil and gas (at the EPA and the institutions related directly or indirectly to the oil and gas sector), nor do they have experience in the oil and gas sector

There are written plans to train professionals at the postgraduate level in oil and gas (at the EPA and the institutions related directly or indirectly to the oil and gas sector) and with some or no experience in the oil and gas sector

Few professionals trained at the postgraduate level in oil and gas (at the EPA and the institutions related directly or indirectly to the oil and gas sector) and with some or no experience in the oil and gas sector

Adequate number of professionals trained at the postgraduate level in the oil and gas (at the EPA and the institutions related directly or indirectly to the oil and gas sector) and also with experience in oil and gas sector

Human resource capacity for conducting EIA studies

Having professionals with requisite knowledge and skills in conducting EIAs is critical to the effective functioning of the EIA system.

No available qualified professionals with the technical skills and expertise to carry

out the research and preparation of an ESIA report to the necessary level to inform decision making

Plans are being made to recruit qualified professionals with the technical skills and expertise to carry

out the research and preparation of an ESIA report to the necessary level to inform decision making

Few qualified professionals available with the technical skills and expertise to carry

out the research and preparation of an ESIA report to the necessary level to inform decision making

Adequate availability of qualified professionals with the technical skills and expertise to carry

out the research and preparation of an ESIA report to the necessary level to inform decision making

Institutional collaboration

Institutional collaboration (sharing of knowledge, skills, resources etc.) is a prerequisite to an effective EIA system.

There exist no collaborative mechanisms (e.g., MOUs) between the EPA and institutions that relate directly and indirectly to the oil and gas sector, but they are not currently functional

Existence of collaborative mechanisms (e.g., MOUs) between the EPA and institutions that relate directly and indirectly to the oil and gas sector, but they are not currently functional

Some existing and functioning collaborative mechanisms (e.g., MOUs) between the EPA and institutions that relate directly and indirectly to the oil and gas sector

Existing and functioning collaborative mechanisms (e.g., MOUs) between the EPA and institutions that relate directly and indirectly to the oil and gas sector

Baseline data

Having data on the current biological, physical and socioeconomic conditions of the areas with the sphere of influence of the proposed project is prerequisite for impact identification, prediction etc.

Absence of baseline data on the natural and social environment

Some baseline data on the natural and social environment available, but many gaps still exist

Some baseline data on the natural and social environment available, but a few gaps exist

There is adequate baseline data on the natural and social environment

Risk management

This is important for long-term planning that will guarantee protection the health of humans and the environment

Is not critical to the EIA process/it is not required by law

Is being considered as an optional element of the EIA process, but not a legal requirement.

Is legally required for projects, but no clear guidelines exist

Is required by law and is often integrated into the EIA process with guidelines provided

Use of quantitative tools

Quantitative tools are important for the evaluation and prediction of impacts in an objective manner, and for studying cause effect relationships of project activities and environmental effects

Use of analytical tools, such as mathematical models and Geographic Information Systems is not practised in impact analysis studies

Use of analytical tools, such as mathematical models and Geographic Information Systems is practised in a few selective impact analysis studies

Use of analytical tools, such as mathematical models and Geographic Information Systems is practised in many impact analyses studies

Culture exists regarding use of analytical tools, such as mathematical models and Geographic Information Systems in all impact analysis studies

Stakeholder engagement

Stakeholder engagement is a legal requirement and allows for persons/groups with interests and influence to participate in the EIA process through screening, scoping, baseline collection, identification of impacts, mitigation, alternatives, review etc.

There is no practice of stakeholder engagement in the EIA process.

Is primarily the provision of information (one way flow) to assist the public in

understanding the

problem, alternatives,

opportunities and/or

solutions

Is primarily the provision of information and obtaining public

feedback (two-way flow) on analysis, alternatives and/or

decisions

Is primarily working with

the public to ensure

that public concerns

are understood and

considered in all stages (edit) in decisions (about project designs, alternatives, mitigation measures and project approval)

Physical resource capacity and budget of the EPA (environmental authority)

Adequate budget and physical resources are essential to the effective implementation of activities (e.g. reconnaissance visits, scoping meetings, compliance monitoring of a functional EIA process.

The EPA has no physical resource capacity to carry out its EIA mandate

The EPA has very limited physical resource capacity to carry out some aspects of its EIA mandate

The EPA has very limited physical resource capacity to carry out most aspects of its EIA mandate

The EPA has physical resource capacity to carry out all aspects of its EIA mandate