School of Environmental Science, Murdoch University, South Street, Murdoch, WA6150, Australia; School of Geo and Spatial Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa; Integral Sustainability, P.O. Box 79, South Fremantle, WA6162, Australia; Curtin University Sustainability Policy Institute, Curtin University, Kent St, Bentley, WA6102, Australia; Department of Geography and Planning, University of Saskatchewan, Kirk Hall, 117 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK, S7T0A9, Canada; School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NorfolkNR4 7TJ, United Kingdom
Morrison-Saunders, A., School of Environmental Science, Murdoch University, South Street, Murdoch, WA6150, Australia; Pope, J., School of Geo and Spatial Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa, Integral Sustainability, P.O. Box 79, South Fremantle, WA6162, Australia, Curtin University Sustainability Policy Institute, Curtin University, Kent St, Bentley, WA6102, Australia; Gunn, J.A.E., Department of Geography and Planning, University of Saskatchewan, Kirk Hall, 117 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK, S7T0A9, Canada; Bond, A., School of Geo and Spatial Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa, School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NorfolkNR4 7TJ, United Kingdom; Retief, F., School of Geo and Spatial Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa
We suggest that the impact assessment community has lost its way based on our observation that impact assessment is under attack because of a perceived lack of efficiency. Specifically, we contend that the proliferation of different impact assessment types creates separate silos of expertise and feeds arguments for not only a lack of efficiency but also a lack of effectiveness of the process through excessive specialisation and a lack of interdisciplinary practice. We propose that the solution is a return to the basics of impact assessment with a call for increased integration around the goal of sustainable development and focus through better scoping. We rehearse and rebut counter arguments covering silo-based expertise, advocacy, democracy, sustainability understanding and communication. We call on the impact assessment community to rise to the challenge of increasing integration and focus, and to engage in the debate about the means of strengthening impact assessment. © 2014 © 2014 IAIA.