Environmental Technology
Assessment
In the EnTA Manual (Hay & Noonan, 2001), Environmental Technology Assessment (EnTA) is
defined as
"a systematic
procedure whereby a proposed technology intervention is
described and appraised in terms of its potential influence on
the environment, the implications for sustainable development
and the likely cultural and socio-economic consequences".
In the early 1990’s EnTA was born out of a process called
Technology Assessment. EnTA has since been developed and
promoted by UNEP. Click here for a diagram of the EnTA
methodology.
As EnTA is a descriptive assessment of a technology, different
stakeholders can use it in a variety of ways. EnTA can be
conducted by anyone who uses, or will be effected by, a
technology-related decision. For example:
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Decision
makers and managers in industry - to recognise the
wider environmental implications of their actions and
avoid costly problems and legal difficulties. |
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Community
and other non-governmental organisations - to help
ensure that the rights and responsibilities of individuals
and communities are given due recognition when
technology-based developments are being considered.
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In the oil and gas industry,
EnTA could be used to assess the potential environmental impacts
of various drilling muds, fire suppression systems, or acoustic
survey techniques.
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Test your knowledge
of environmental management tools
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An important aspect of implementing sustainable
development policies is the ability to recognise
the most appropriate (“cleaner”) technology among
all the options under consideration. EnTA is a
systematic, user-friendly decision-support tool
for evaluating technology options.
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