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Journal of Australian Energy Producers
RESEARCH ARTICLE (Non peer reviewed)

Cumulative impact assessments – its relevance for Australia’s energy transition

Ashlyn Miller A *
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A Xodus Group, Perth, WA, Australia.

* Correspondence to: ashlyn.miller@xodusgroup.com

The APPEA Journal 63(2) S87-S90 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ22072
Submitted: NaN NaN  Accepted: 15 February 2023  Published: 11 May 2023

© 2023 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of APPEA.

Abstract

Environmental impact assessments for offshore oil and gas activities have historically focused on the specific impacts from an individual, and independent, activity. However, as Australia’s environmental assessment process continuously improves, it has become increasingly evident that cumulative impacts from previous, concurrent, or future activities need to be taken further into consideration. Cumulative impacts occur when multiple activities are conducted simultaneously, or consecutively, within the same region resulting in a greater level of potential impact to the environment than what would occur from the individual activity alone. Development of a standardised Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA) methodology has been a well argued, and inherently difficult task, leading to current processes considered inadequate globally. With Australia moving in the direction of increasing, and diversifying its offshore energy activities, conducting adequate CIAs within the marine environment has become an increasingly important topic. We explore the challenges others have faced to develop a suitable methodology and shed light on the role CIAs will play during the energy transition phase in Australia. We conclude by outlining the fundamental aspects that require consideration to comprehensively assess cumulative impacts.

Keywords: cumulative impact assessment, cumulative impacts, cumulative impacts methodology, environmental impact assessment, marine management, oil and gas, renewable energy, sustainability.

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