Session Description
Impact assessments operate as a downstream exercise—designs are advanced, then handed to environmental practitioners to characterize effects and propose mitigations. At that stage, “avoidance” in the mitigation hierarchy is largely off the table, and meaningful changes to design can face resistance due to cost, schedule, and design maturity. What would change if avoidance through design was prioritized—not a mitigation afterthought.
The session would start with an overview of the typical steps in an impact assessment and the level of design at each step (7mins). Each table would then be asked to flip over the card on their table to start a brainstorming session about designing to avoid impacts. Tables would be asked to assign a host to remain at the table for the duration to continue the conversation and to take notes. Questions could include:
How early is early enough to influence siting and layout decisions?
What does “good” constraints mapping look like in practice?
When should Indigenous People and Stakeholders be engaged on design?
What governance or mandates would ensure avoidance is genuinely considered?
How could land use plans influence project siting and design?
Participants will be given 10 minutes at each table and then asked to rotate (3 times). At the end table hosts would then be given 3 minutes each to talk about the journey (where the discussion started and where it landed) and to highlight the key outcomes. The final conclusion (to be summarized by the chair) would pull all the pieces together and provide a possible new way of looking at and communicating impact assessments (5 minutes). Times can be adjusted.
Session Summary
Impact assessments operate as a downstream exercise—designs are advanced, then handed to environmental practitioners to characterize effects and propose mitigations. This World Cafe will explore what would change if avoidance through design was prioritized and not a mitigation afterthought.
Session Chair
Valerie Masterman
Environmental Resources Management (ERM)
Canada