The Role of Engineering and Engineering Science in Environmental Licensing: A Civil Society Perspective
No. 43 (2015-07-01)Author(s)
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Elsa Matilde Escobar(1) Química Pura de la Universidad de Antioquia. Exjefe de Ciencia y Tecnología del Instituto de Hidrología, Meteorología y Estudios Ambientales (IDEAM). Directora Ejecutiva de la Fundación Natura Colombia. Bogotá, Colombia. elsamescobar@natura.org.co
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Roberto León Gómez(2) MSc en Economía del Medio Ambiente, Universidad de los Andes. Exdirector de la evaluación de licencias ambientales del Departamento de Planeación Nacional (DNP). Subdirector de Desarrollo Local e Institucional de la Fundación Natura. rlgomez@natura.org.co
Abstract
In this article, we shed light of civil society’s perception of environmental licensing in Colombia. We believe it is important to consider environmental impact assessment as an integral part of a process that adds value to a project. For this reason, we discuss some key principles and discuss the problems that arise. Finally, from an engineering perspective, we propose some solutions to make environmental licensing more effective.
Keywords:
Ethics, Added Value, Civil Society, Environmental Impact Evaluation, Engineering, Environmental Licenses