The Social and Environmental Impact Assessment (S&EA) process is a way to identify, predict and assess the type and scale of
potential biodiversity impacts, and opportunities to benefit conservation, associated with any business activities or projects.
Biodiversity assessment should begin as early as possible, as effective assessment of the biodiversity characteristics of an area — and
the potential impacts — may require months or even years, to account for seasonal and migration issues. In addition, early attention to
biodiversity issues means that potential impacts can be identified and avoided or mitigated in the earliest stages of planning. Once a
project or business activity proceeds, the costs of redesign or re-siting will make it more difficult to effectively address biodiversity issues
