The Importance of Indigenous Knowledge and Good Governance to Ensuring Public Participation in Environmental Impact Assessments

An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a process by which the benefits of development are weighed against its environmental costs. Since indigenous communities are the principal environmental stewards of their land, it is imperative that they are consulted and play an active part in the EIA process. Their input can help to correct a scientific analysis that “misrepresents the local context in which it is being applied.” This idea is supported by Principle 10 of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, which states that “environmental issues are best handled with the participation of all concerned citizens at the relevant level”. Similarly, Rio’s Principle 22 provides for the “effective participation of indigenous people and their communities” which contributes to sustainable development. Article 8(j) of the Convention on Biological Diversity requires parties to “respect, preserve and maintain knowledge, innovations and practices of indigenous and local communities embodying traditional lifestyles relevant for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity.”