A solar power plant is planned that will involve the building of a solar farm (a large area of land covered in solar panels). This will result in the removal of some forest and the conversion of some farmland. The electricity created by the solar farm will provide power to the local community.

Discuss how effective an environmental impact assessment for this project could be in protecting the local environment [9 marks]

Indicative Content	Guidance
Baseline study: Building a list / inventory of valuable social/cultural aspects / keystone species / unique habitats Allows prioritisation of protective strategies Potential biases if conducted by developer-employed surveyors Has limitations such as time constraints / budget limitations May miss species if lack of time/expertise Assessment of impacts/benefits: (Holistic) evaluation of potential social/ecological impacts Involving stakeholders / input from (local) community Validity can be enhanced through comparisons with similar (completed) projects Potential influence by commercial interests / political interference Challenges in predicting complex ecosystem impacts Recommendations/mitigations: Strategies to limit impact / protect environment → e.g. preserving forest connectivity through living tree corridors / avoiding fragmentation of forest habitat Public involvement / possibility of disagreements Adjustments in construction techniques based on recommendations There is variation in the level of enforceability in different countries Some ecological damage is unavoidable Monitoring during development: Ensuring recommended procedures are followed Raising concerns about unforeseen environmental damage Detection of issues before they become irreversible Challenges related to time / cost-effectiveness Concerns about developers simply paying penalties / passing costs to taxpayers Monitoring after development: Evaluating social/ecological impacts post-development Planning for necessary ecological restoration Limitations in restoring/reversing all damages	You will always have to answer two 9-mark questions from Section B in your IB ESS SL Paper 2 exam This is a 'level of response' answer. The examiner will award you a combined mark out of 9 for knowledge, application, analysis and evaluation ‘Discuss’ (for 9 marks) requires: Knowledge of concepts, principles and models Application to the context using relevant and focused examples Analysis showing logical and coherent chains of reasoning of a range of issues Evaluation showing critical thinking linked to the context Depth is more important than breadth It is sensible to discuss two or three main points but to apply, analyse and evaluate them fully For top-level evaluation, informed judgement is required This can be demonstrated in a conclusion that synthesises and weighs up the arguments to form a supported answer to the question
Model Answer
An Environmental Impact Assessment for a solar power plant is essential for protecting the local environment. The EIA process usually involves several stages, starting with a baseline study [K]. This study provides a list of valuable social and ecological aspects of the area to be developed, including keystone species and unique habitats [Ap]. Such information is critical for focusing and prioritising protective strategies [An]. However, conducting a comprehensive baseline study can be time-consuming and expensive. There is a risk of bias if the study is carried out by surveyors employed by the developer. Budget constraints and project deadlines may lead to a hurried assessment, potentially missing some valuable species or habitats [E]. The EIA process includes an assessment of potential social and ecological impacts and benefits [K]. This step is crucial as it offers a broader evaluation, taking into account the concerns of all stakeholders, including the local community [Ap]. Comparing the project to similar ones that have already been completed can increase the validity of the EIA. However, there is a risk that commercial or political interests may interfere the assessment process [An]. Given the complexity of ecosystems, accurately predicting the potential impacts of a large-scale development remains challenging [E]. One of the most significant stages of an EIA is the recommendations and mitigations stage. This is where strategies to limit the environmental impact and protect valuable species or habitats are proposed [K]. The EIA report is a public document, allowing the community to voice their concerns and disagreements. It may result in changes or modifications to the construction techniques. However, the effectiveness of recommendations and mitigations depends on their enforcement [E]. As the development work takes place, monitoring of impacts is important in preventing irreversible damage to the environment. It helps ensure that developers follow recommended procedures and detects unforeseen issues before they get any worse or cause further damage [An]. However, this monitoring can be time-consuming and expensive, and even when concerns are raised, there's no guarantee that actions will be taken to stop the damage [E]. Post-development, an evaluation of social and ecological impacts is conducted. This informs plans for any necessary restoration work needed. However, not all damages are restorable or reversible and some developers might find ways to avoid paying for restoration [E]. In conclusion, the effectiveness of an EIA in protecting the local environment depends on various factors. Enforcement or procedures, funding availability, and local pressure all play a role in ensuring the success of the impact assessment [An]. Without these elements, the EIA process may fall short of its potential. Therefore, it's essential that all stakeholders, including the local community, are actively engaged in the process to ensure its effectiveness in safeguarding the environment [E].
Commentary
This answer is an example - yours may be different The answer discusses the different stages of an EIA and finishes with a supported final judgement The effectiveness of each stage is evaluated in their respective paragraphs, as well as in the concluding paragraph The response is annotated to show where the skills of knowledge (K), application (Ap), analysis (An) and evaluation (E) have been demonstrated

Sustainability (SL IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS))

Topic Questions