The second of GTS and SOWA’s webinars exploring Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) as required in consenting Irish renewable energy projects will focus on how to establish a proportionate approach to the assessment process.
The webinar will be presented by Josh Fothergill FIEMA CEnv and will cover:
- Understanding what proportionate EIA means and its benefits
- Looking at the core role significance plays across the EIA process
- Considering how to improve EIA effectiveness through scoping
- Live Q&A on your EIA Questions
Future webinars in this series will explore EIA and Cumulative Effects (January 2026) and EIA & Case Law (April 2026).
Those attending will improve their understanding of:
- what is meant by proportionate EIA and the benefits it can offer
- the core role significance plays across the whole EIA process
- how to improve EIA effectiveness through better scoping
As with the rest of the series the webinar will open with a brief explanation of Green Tech Skillnet and Skillnet Offshore Wind Academy interest in improving EIA effectiveness by addressing skills gaps for the Irish renewable sector. (Max 5mins)
The webinar’s main content will be delivered by Josh Fothergill FIEMA CEnv and begin by explaining what proportionate EIA is and why it is not limited to simply producing a shorter EIA Report. Following this introduction the webinar will focus on two key elements that occur far before report writing begins an yet are essential for the delivery of effective EIA practice and ultimately a more proportionate EIA Report. The first area of consideration will be the role significance play throughout the EIA process but in particular the role it can play in helping guide and focus our assessments toward a more proportionate approach. Current EIA practice is often strong on identifying and describing effects but can sometimes be found wanting when it comes to the crucial evaluation of significance. After this the webinar will move on to the critical and on-going element of scoping each EIA, comparing what is set out in the Regulations with what is commonly found in good
practice approaches. In both elements – significance and scoping – the presenter will offer tips and advice and keep connection back to the overall focus of the webinar – how do we use these two elements of practice to establish a more proportionate approach to EIA in the renewables sector (~45mins)
Following the main presentation the session will be opened up to a live Q&A with the audience, with questions submitted via the live chat function and asked by the GTS-SOWA webinar Chair. (15-20mins)
Those interested in how environmental issues are considered in relation to renewable energy projects whether they are working in the sector or already involved in EIA, or interested in starting / rejoining a career a career linked to the environment and Ireland’s renewable energy goals.
Josh Fothergill
Founder & Director – Fothergill Training & Consulting Ltd
Josh is a leading expert in the field of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), who co-ordinated and Chaired Ireland’s EIA Conference held in Portlaoise in March 2025. A number of his other career highlights include leading Scotland’s EIA Conference since 2017, creating the UK’s EIA Quality Mark in 2011, authoring the UK Proportionate EIA Strategy (2017) and leading international reviews of: Digital IA (2021), EIA professional recognition (2019) and linking the circular economy (2021) to environmental assessment practice.
Josh founded Fothergill Training & Consulting in 2017, specializing in enhancing the effectiveness of environmental assessment through capacity building, intelligent client roles and advisory reviews. He has trained over 1000 professionals in EIA, including training FuturEnergy Ireland and SSE Renewables. Josh previously worked at IEMA co-authoring all its EIA guidance between 2008-17 and contributed to many more publications as a volunteer over the last decade. He sits on IEMA’s IA Network Steering Group and also actively volunteers for the International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA), including leading an on-going series on the use of digital technology and approaches in the field of Impact Assessment.
