Publications by category
Journal articles
Jha-Thakur U, Khosravi F (2021). Beyond 25 years of EIA in India: Retrospection and way forward. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 87, 106533-106533.
Khosravi F, Taylor A, Siu YL (2021). Chinese water managers' long-term climate information needs. Science of the Total Environment, 750, 141637-141637.
Jha-Thakur U, Khosravi F, Quattrone G, Bandyopadhyay S, Magedera I, Garikipati S (2020). Exploring the role of strategic environmental assessment in cultural heritage tourism planning: a case study of the Srirangapatna-Mysore region in India. Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal, 39(2), 138-150.
Khosravi F, Jha-Thakur U, Fischer TB (2019). Enhancing EIA systems in developing countries: a focus on capacity development in the case of Iran.
Science of the Total Environment,
670, 425-432.
Abstract:
Enhancing EIA systems in developing countries: a focus on capacity development in the case of Iran
Sensitivity to an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) system's context is a precondition for being able to suggest recommendation to improving that system. Most recommendations for developing countries take inspiration from developed countries and fall short in their efforts to adapt to the needs of a specific country. In this paper, the authors aim to assess the feasibility of implementing suggested recommendations to enhance Iran's EIA effectiveness. One of the main drawbacks of the Iranian EIA system is deficiency of EIA legislation. However, based on the findings of a review of the literature and semi-structured interviews, it is suggested that by considering contextual factors it is not feasible to overhaul Iran's EIA legislative framework in the short term. Instead, the focus must shift towards increasing environmental awareness and human-capacity development so as to improve the EIA system over time and strengthen EIA legislation.
Abstract.
Khosravi F, Jha-Thakur U, Fischer TB (2019). Evaluation of the environmental impact assessment system in Iran.
Environmental Impact Assessment Review,
74, 63-72.
Abstract:
Evaluation of the environmental impact assessment system in Iran
EIA in Iran was formally introduced in 1994, but to date little EIA-related research has been undertaken in the country. In this paper, the authors provide an evaluation of the Iranian EIA system, focusing on EIA legislation, administration and process. Data was collected on the basis of a literature review, document analysis and semi-structured interviews. This involved some translation from Persian into English. Evaluation of the findings indicate that Iran has adopted the democratic tools of EIA and SEA, which considering its political context is encouraging. However, currently the Iranian EIA system does suffer from weaknesses such as inadequate screening and scoping, lack of alternative consideration, public participation, EIA implementation and follow-up. The paper proposes some initial recommendations based on international experiences and sets out the direction for future research.
Abstract.
Khosravi F, Jha-Thakur U (2019). Managing uncertainties through scenario analysis in strategic environmental assessment.
Journal of Environmental Planning and Management,
62(6), 979-1000.
Abstract:
Managing uncertainties through scenario analysis in strategic environmental assessment
Planning for the future is uncertain, and scenario analysis is a method of coping with the uncertainties of future plans. This paper addresses how to deal with future uncertainties by using scenario analysis as a possible approach for conducting a strategic environmental assessment (SEA). Although scenario-based approaches have been linked to strategic planning and SEA, this paper for the first time proposes how a combined approach may be implemented using specific tools and methodologies and, further on, it also implements the first three stages of the six stages proposed for the ‘scenario-based strategic planning’ approach. This work is an attempt to standardize SEA and scenario analysis as a combined approach. The three stages are tested within the Tourism Development Plan of the Iranian province of Gilan, which has been selected as a case study.
Abstract.
Khosravi F, Fischer TB, Jha-Thakur U (2019). Multi-criteria Analysis for Rapid Strategic Environmental Assessment in Tourism Planning.
Journal of Environmental Assessment Policy and Management,
21(04), 1950013-1950013.
Abstract:
Multi-criteria Analysis for Rapid Strategic Environmental Assessment in Tourism Planning
Multi-criteria analysis (MCA) is a group of analytical approaches allowing us to compare criteria or alternatives when making complex decisions. It can be applied in Strategic Environmental Assessment for supporting the integration of environmental, social and economic aspects into the development of strategies, policies, plan and programme making. This paper reports on an application of analytical hierarchy process (AHP) as one of MCA approaches to assess Gilan Tourism Development Plan in Iran. Here, the Global Sustainable Tourism criteria were weighted by AHP on the basis of experts’ opinions. The extent to which development options for Gilan Tourism Development Plan were likely to be sustainable was assessed using a list of weighted criteria. The evaluation of the findings suggests that the plan has not met all the sub-criteria of sustainable tourism.
Abstract.
Khosravi F, Jha-Thakur U, Fischer TB (2019). The role of environmental assessment (EA) in Iranian water management.
Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal,
37(1), 57-70.
Abstract:
The role of environmental assessment (EA) in Iranian water management
In this paper, we reflect on the effectiveness of environmental assessment (EA for e.g. projects, policies, plans and programmes) in Iranian water management. Urmia Lake Basin (ULB) is used as a case study area and the extent to which EA appears to be delivering environmental protection objectives is established. Data were collected using document analyses, semi-structured interviews with local experts and site visits. It is established that activities are restricted to project level EIA (environmental impact assessment) and that EA is not able to address and mitigate the negative effects of extensive water exploitation through dam- and well building. Strengthening EIA legislation as well as introducing SEA is suggested as a possible way to address shortcomings, in particular with regard to addressing cumulative and wider basin effects.
Abstract.
Publications by year
2021
Jha-Thakur U, Khosravi F (2021). Beyond 25 years of EIA in India: Retrospection and way forward. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 87, 106533-106533.
Khosravi F, Taylor A, Siu YL (2021). Chinese water managers' long-term climate information needs. Science of the Total Environment, 750, 141637-141637.
2020
Jha-Thakur U, Khosravi F, Quattrone G, Bandyopadhyay S, Magedera I, Garikipati S (2020). Exploring the role of strategic environmental assessment in cultural heritage tourism planning: a case study of the Srirangapatna-Mysore region in India. Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal, 39(2), 138-150.
2019
Khosravi F, Jha-Thakur U, Fischer TB (2019). Enhancing EIA systems in developing countries: a focus on capacity development in the case of Iran.
Science of the Total Environment,
670, 425-432.
Abstract:
Enhancing EIA systems in developing countries: a focus on capacity development in the case of Iran
Sensitivity to an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) system's context is a precondition for being able to suggest recommendation to improving that system. Most recommendations for developing countries take inspiration from developed countries and fall short in their efforts to adapt to the needs of a specific country. In this paper, the authors aim to assess the feasibility of implementing suggested recommendations to enhance Iran's EIA effectiveness. One of the main drawbacks of the Iranian EIA system is deficiency of EIA legislation. However, based on the findings of a review of the literature and semi-structured interviews, it is suggested that by considering contextual factors it is not feasible to overhaul Iran's EIA legislative framework in the short term. Instead, the focus must shift towards increasing environmental awareness and human-capacity development so as to improve the EIA system over time and strengthen EIA legislation.
Abstract.
Khosravi F, Jha-Thakur U, Fischer TB (2019). Evaluation of the environmental impact assessment system in Iran.
Environmental Impact Assessment Review,
74, 63-72.
Abstract:
Evaluation of the environmental impact assessment system in Iran
EIA in Iran was formally introduced in 1994, but to date little EIA-related research has been undertaken in the country. In this paper, the authors provide an evaluation of the Iranian EIA system, focusing on EIA legislation, administration and process. Data was collected on the basis of a literature review, document analysis and semi-structured interviews. This involved some translation from Persian into English. Evaluation of the findings indicate that Iran has adopted the democratic tools of EIA and SEA, which considering its political context is encouraging. However, currently the Iranian EIA system does suffer from weaknesses such as inadequate screening and scoping, lack of alternative consideration, public participation, EIA implementation and follow-up. The paper proposes some initial recommendations based on international experiences and sets out the direction for future research.
Abstract.
Khosravi F, Jha-Thakur U (2019). Managing uncertainties through scenario analysis in strategic environmental assessment.
Journal of Environmental Planning and Management,
62(6), 979-1000.
Abstract:
Managing uncertainties through scenario analysis in strategic environmental assessment
Planning for the future is uncertain, and scenario analysis is a method of coping with the uncertainties of future plans. This paper addresses how to deal with future uncertainties by using scenario analysis as a possible approach for conducting a strategic environmental assessment (SEA). Although scenario-based approaches have been linked to strategic planning and SEA, this paper for the first time proposes how a combined approach may be implemented using specific tools and methodologies and, further on, it also implements the first three stages of the six stages proposed for the ‘scenario-based strategic planning’ approach. This work is an attempt to standardize SEA and scenario analysis as a combined approach. The three stages are tested within the Tourism Development Plan of the Iranian province of Gilan, which has been selected as a case study.
Abstract.
Khosravi F, Fischer TB, Jha-Thakur U (2019). Multi-criteria Analysis for Rapid Strategic Environmental Assessment in Tourism Planning.
Journal of Environmental Assessment Policy and Management,
21(04), 1950013-1950013.
Abstract:
Multi-criteria Analysis for Rapid Strategic Environmental Assessment in Tourism Planning
Multi-criteria analysis (MCA) is a group of analytical approaches allowing us to compare criteria or alternatives when making complex decisions. It can be applied in Strategic Environmental Assessment for supporting the integration of environmental, social and economic aspects into the development of strategies, policies, plan and programme making. This paper reports on an application of analytical hierarchy process (AHP) as one of MCA approaches to assess Gilan Tourism Development Plan in Iran. Here, the Global Sustainable Tourism criteria were weighted by AHP on the basis of experts’ opinions. The extent to which development options for Gilan Tourism Development Plan were likely to be sustainable was assessed using a list of weighted criteria. The evaluation of the findings suggests that the plan has not met all the sub-criteria of sustainable tourism.
Abstract.
Khosravi F, Jha-Thakur U, Fischer TB (2019). The role of environmental assessment (EA) in Iranian water management.
Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal,
37(1), 57-70.
Abstract:
The role of environmental assessment (EA) in Iranian water management
In this paper, we reflect on the effectiveness of environmental assessment (EA for e.g. projects, policies, plans and programmes) in Iranian water management. Urmia Lake Basin (ULB) is used as a case study area and the extent to which EA appears to be delivering environmental protection objectives is established. Data were collected using document analyses, semi-structured interviews with local experts and site visits. It is established that activities are restricted to project level EIA (environmental impact assessment) and that EA is not able to address and mitigate the negative effects of extensive water exploitation through dam- and well building. Strengthening EIA legislation as well as introducing SEA is suggested as a possible way to address shortcomings, in particular with regard to addressing cumulative and wider basin effects.
Abstract.
