Baseline studies Terms of Reference

The baseline studies are the basic environmental studies in the environmental impact assessment. They have to be carried out in order to be able to evaluate the possible impacts of a project. They must secure the knowledge of how the conditions are today, before the project, so that afterwards you may analyze the possible consequences of the project.

What to assess and how is described in the assessment program for the project. The correct technical title is Terms of Reference for the Environmental Impact Assessment for the Greenland Smelter Project (in common speech ToR). It is a defined set of basic tasks and assessments that must be carried out in order to make a satisfactory EIA. As the leader of this task the project has employed an international consultancy bureau, ERM, which has global expertise within the field of environmental assessments. A number of specific assessments are carried out among others by the Greenland Institute of Natural Resources and the National Environmental Research Institute of Denmark that have build up expertise in environmental assessments in Greenland through many years. 

In connection with the baseline studies there is an involvement of stakeholders like in the other phases of the EIA. This is for instance through public meetings and also direct meetings with stakeholders. This might be persons or organizations that in some way or another have interface with the project. 

ToR contains a concrete overview of the field assessments and desk table assessments that must be carried out and also a summary of the input and questions from the public. 

You may read the entire environmental assessment program (ToR) by downloading it here.