Abstract

This research set out to find out how well projects are complying with the requirements of the Environmental Impact Assessment Guidelines in Zimbabwe. Data was collected from EIA reports completed between 2007 and 2012. Questionnaires and interviews were used to collect the experiences of practitioners in the EIA sector. The results show that EIA reports contain below 65% of required information for decision making. Critical sections of the EIA report are the most deficient. Compliance varies significantly between consultants, stage of EIA process and size of project. Recommendations are: need to review and expand the existing guidelines and promote their use, building objectivity into the EIA report review process, upholding professional standards of practice for the consultants, improvement of compliance monitoring and enforcement, the use of economic incentives and disincentives other than enforcement to promote compliance, increased awareness raising of EIA in the business sector, and increased political will and transparency.

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