To make sure that environmental and social effects of development projects are properly managed, projects require approval by ZEMA before they can be realised. Also, existing projects will need to undergo environmental auditing. ZEMA screens each project to decide what level of assessment is needed in order to obtain or renew an environmental certificate. One of the following procedures will apply:
- Direct clearance – for proposed projects with insignificant or no social and environmental impacts
- Environment Report – for proposed projects with limited social and environmental impacts
- Environmental and Social Impact Assessment – for proposed projects with potential significant social and environmental impacts
- Pre-audit – for existing projects with limited social and environmental impacts
- Audit – for existing projects with potential significant and environmental impacts