International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR) ISSN (Online): 2319-7064 Volume 2 Issue 10, October 2013 www.ijsr.net Managing the Expectations between the Regulatory Authority and Consultants in the Environmental Impact Assessment System in Zimbabwe R. K. Machaka 1 , L. Ganesh 2 , J. Mapfumo 3 1 Christ University, Centre for Research, Bangalore, India 2 Christ University, Department of Management, Bangalore, India 3 Dzidzo Academy, Harare, Zimbabwe Abstract: This study explored the expectations between the regulatory authority (EMA) and consultants in the environmental impact assessment (EIA) system in Zimbabwe. The consultant’s expectations from EMA are (in descending order of priority): fair and ethical treatment, periodic EIA updates, and a code of ethics were identified as critical (4.6-5.0 points) expectations that need to be addressed. Important (4.0-4.5 points) expectations of what EMA should do are proponent EIA education, regulatory consultation and access to library. The less important expectations are newsletter production, consultant's association online marketing and EIA training. EMA’s expectations of what consultants should do are transparency and honesty which are critical, followed by objectivity and fairness, proponents EIA education and whistle-blowing which are less important and lastly participation in environmental functions and respect of professional judgments which are least important. The first major finding is that there are obviously unfulfilled expectations mainly as a result of inadequate communication between EMA and consultants. The second is that there are no clear documented standards by which EMA and Consultants should abide. In addition an effective association of consultants and establishment of a code of ethics are critical for the EIA system in Zimbabwe. Keywords: EIA, EIA Ethics, EIA Consultants 1. Introduction According to the Environmental Management Agency of Zimbabwe website: Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a process used to define, quantify and evaluate the potential and known impacts of human activities on ecosystems and to define the mitigation measures that will be implemented to reduce negative impacts while enhancing the positive. It is a decision-making tool used to determine whether a project should proceed and in what manner it should proceed.[1] The EIA process is therefore applied to a new developmental activity through a scientific study of impacts as well as the implementation of certain measures deemed to sustainably reduce or eliminate impacts of the developmental activity on the environment. The idea of EIAs started in USA in 1969 and was gradually adopted by various developed countries until 1992 [2]. After the Rio Summit of 1992, many countries rapidly adopted the EIA practice and promulgated laws and policies to establish an EIA system [3]. In Zimbabwe, the EIA process was implemented in Zimbabwe between 1997 and 2003 as a policy and thereafter as a law. The establishment of the EIA system created a number of stakeholder groups with vested interest in the implementation of the EIA system. The first one is the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) which is mandated to administer the EIA legislation through the Environmental Management ActError! Reference source not found.. The second is the EIA consultant whose role is to carry out the EIA studies on behalf of developers as required under the EIA law. The third is the proponent or developer who is the person, company or organization implementing a developmental activity. The fourth stakeholder is the general public and local communities affected directly or indirectly by the implementation of a developmental activity. The fifth are other government departments whose mandates touch on environmental issues. The sixth is the civil society sector which includes non- governmental organizations and associations. This study considers the first two stakeholders i.e. EMA and the EIA consultants. EIA consultants are private companies hence their participation is first and foremost and a business activity whereby they pursue profit. EMA regulates implementation of the EIA system. These two stakeholders are more informed about the details of the EIA system and they affect the success of the EIA system to a greater extent than all the other stakeholders. More importantly for this study, the EMA requires consultants to pay a certain fee to be registered and allowed to operate as an EIA consultant, i.e. to conduct EIA studies on behalf of developers. Currently the requirements that EIA consultants must meet to registered are; annual subscription of US$ 315.00, CVs of a team of 5 core team members including an ecologist, physical scientist, biological scientist, natural scientist and a social scientist, a registered office address, tax clearance certificate and a team leader who has carried out at least 5 EIA studies. This gives rise to two important points. The first is that EIA practice can be said to be recognized by law Paper ID: 02013303 107