Cadmus Principal Plans International Symposiums on Climate Change, Impact Assessment

As a member of the International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA) board of directors, Cadmus Principal Weston Fisher is organizing two international symposiums on climate change and impact assessment to be held later this year.

Mr. Fisher is an expert in environmentally sound design, environmental impact assessment, and environmental management programs. He leads Cadmus’ International Development Practice.

“Impact assessments are a critical mechanism for enhancing the success of development projects around the world. These symposiums will directly relate to the growing importance international aid agencies are placing on impact assessments in assessing climate change issues related to economic, health and education programs,” Mr. Fisher said.

The first symposium, scheduled for October 25 and 26 in Aalborg, Denmark, will bring together international experts and practitioners to review the latest studies and work linking impact assessment and climate change. Participants will explore the application of environmental impact assessment, strategic environmental assessment and cumulative effects assessment to climate change adaptation and mitigation. The symposium will focus on urban areas, energy facilities, water supply and waste water treatment projects, and other infrastructure likely to be affected by changes in water availability or extreme weather events as a result of climate change.

The outcome will be an array of proven and possible actions to be taken and started right now. They will be brought forward to a second climate change symposium scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Washington, DC.

That symposium will explore ways to advance collaboration among climate change experts and impact assessment professionals. It will combine in-depth presentations by experts on key topics, concurrent interactive forums, and facilitated dialogue sessions involving keynote speakers and delegates. Working groups on the use of impact assessment tools and methods will also be held.

Among the key questions to be addressed at the Washington symposium are:

• What effects will climate change have on the feasibility, viability and long-term sustainability of policies, plans, programs or projects?
• How can flexibility in responding to the impacts of climate change be assured through impact assessment?
• What tools does impact assessment offer for understanding and assessing risk and responding to climate change?

More information about the symposiums is available from the IAIA (info@iaia.org) and Mr. Fisher (Weston.Fisher@cadmusgroup.com).

About the International Association for Impact Assessment

IAIA (http://www.iaia.org) is a forum for advancing innovation, development, and communication of best practice in impact assessment. Our international membership promotes development of local and global capacity for the application of environmental, social, health and other forms of assessment in which sound science and full public participation provide a foundation for equitable and sustainable development.

About The Cadmus Group, Inc.

Founded in 1983, employee-owned Cadmus (https://cadmusgroup.com) helps government, non-profit and corporate clients address critical challenges in the environmental and energy sectors. We provide an array of research and analytical services in the United States and abroad, specializing in solving complex problems that demand innovative, multidisciplinary thinking. Our major service areas are Water, Energy Services, Social Marketing and Market Transformation, Health Policy and Communications, Green Building, International Development and Strategic Environmental Consulting.

Our staff includes scientists; engineers; statisticians; economists; MBAs; marketing, public relations and communications professionals; attorneys; information technology specialists; and public policy analysts. Many of our senior consultants are nationally recognized experts in their fields, and several serve on high-level U.S. government science advisory boards.