Assessment: Maximum word count: 3,000 words (excluding tables, table/figure headings and reference list). Any words beyond this will not be marked. The word count must be included with your essay. Your answer can draw on discussions from the module case studies, but you will need to undertake independent review and reading of relevant materials for this particular development. Indicative breakdown of marks between skill categories for MEnv coursework: 10% Structure, 30% Knowledge and understanding, 20% Use of sources, 30% Argument development and 10% Language. Option 1 In addition to those already in place, there are a number of proposed cables to be deployed between the UK and both Norway and Belgium. These would allow for the transmission of 'power' between the parties concerned. Their deployment would potentially affect a range of habitats and species both in the marine and terrestrial environments. What ESIA would you undertake, using which regulatory system given that Belgium, like the UK is part of the EU, whereas Norway is not. The latter, however, is part of the EFTA, European Free Trade Association, which largely follows most EU Directive, especially on environmental issues. The following questions can be used to guide your thinking about the essay: A What types of habitats, species and processes (e.g. fish recruitment) might the proposed cables affect? B What range of impacts and mitigation measures might be contemplated? C How useful is the 'transfer' of energy from one country to the other? The reasoning here is that Norway would provide the UK of much needed energy surplus (originating from Norwegian oil generated electricity) when the UK is at allow (e.g. winter months) and the UK provide Norway with its surplus generated, in summer months, thanks to energy generated by renewables energy. The best sources of information might be some or all of the following 1. The European Union Environmental Directives 2. EFTA website 3. A search of existing ESIA already undertaken on similar projects 4. Scottish Power and Marine Scotland to determine renewable energy status and the potential for its export Option 2 Hormuz Strait dam futuristic macroproject There are imaginative plans to develop and create a dam across the Strait of Hormuz, which in the map above is the narrow passage between the Inner RSA and Middle RSA and adjacent to Iran and the Musadam Peninsula in Oman. These are 2 of the 8 countries that share the waters of the Persian/Arabian Gulf. The idea is to lead to an evaporative loss of water in the (Persian/Arabian) Gulf, creating a water level difference of about 20 m which would then be used to generate hydro-electric power and ultimately replace hydrocarbons as a source of revenue and energy, when hydrocarbons run out. Proponents point out that the electricity produced would save 23.8 megatons of CO2 annually if produced by coal, an increasingly important point. The counter-argument is that the 'terrain' left by the receding water in the Gulf as evaporation takes place would be highly inconducive to life, with no biota larger than nematodes able to survive in the highly saline soils. What ESIA would you undertake to identify and quantify the potential repercussions of such a project, using which regulatory system given that despite the proposed project being located in 2 countries, Iran and Oman, it would clearly have repercussions on all member states in the Gulf? Please consider the following issues also when making your deliberations: - the geo-political setting - the relevance of fossil fuels for the region and beyond - climate change and the already very visible episodes of sea level rise, sea surface temperature elevations in the area and associated repercussions - the global relevance of the marine habitats in the region (coral reefs) etc - the very different levels of environmental compliance in the countries concerned The best sources of information might be some or all of the following 1. Coral Reef journal April 2016 Edition 2. Quick search of EIA regulations in one or more of the 8 countries concerned 3. ROPME website and the latest State of the marine Environment Report (2013) THEREIN 4. A search of existing ESIA already undertaken on similar projects