A Biodiversity Impact Assessment (BIA) is the biodiversity component of a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Development projects that are in or near to sensitive areas such as Nature Reserves, Nature Areas and areas of biodiversity interest, and all coastal and marine development projects, will be subject to greater scrutiny on their impacts to biodiversity.

The BIA guidelines provide a reference for developers and industry professionals to understand the common requirements for the biodiversity component of an EIA. These guidelines are non-prescriptive and are meant to provide information on how biodiversity related impact assessments are carried out.

The main objectives of these guidelines are to:

·        Serve as a self-learning tool for developers, and environmental consultants new to conducting BIAs

·        Explain the key components of a robust biodiversity impact assessment, and share best practices from around the world

·        Provide suggested, standardised methods for conducting baseline surveys

·        Offer guidance on impact assessment matrices and the development of the biodiversity component of an Environmental Management and Monitoring Plan (EMMP)

 

Technical notes provide more detailed guidelines on the measures within an EMMP, which mitigates and manages potential impact from developments. They are meant to complement the BIA guidelines in the areas of construction impacts and mitigation measures, and will be progressively added when necessary.

 

 

View the latest BIA guidelines (PDF, 10MB)

Last modified: 25 May 2024

View the technical note on Light management in night works (PDF, 0.1MB)

Last modified: 25 May 2024

View the technical note on Wildlife shepherding and pre-felling fauna inspection (PDF, 0.4MB)

Last modified: 25 May 2024

 

View the previous BIA guidelines (PDF, 9.0MB)
Last modified: 7 Dec 2021