This study has accomplished three major tasks. First, we investigate the application of cost and benefit analysis (CBA) on environmental impact assessment (EIA). Second, we review the CBA application in relevant development projects and associated laws in Taiwan, and then propose a CBA roadmap. Third, seminars of CBA for development projects have been held for discussion. For the purpose of investigating the CBA application in EIA, we first compare the applications of CBA and the economic impact analysis on EIA. Both methodologies are found complementary to the other and can serve as the reference for decision makers. Then, we discuss how to utilize CBA methodology in EIA. The result suggests that in general CBA should be implemented in any development project that may cause environmental impacts. However, in practice issues about which kind of development projects need to have CBA should take other factors into account. In the proposal for the Roadmap for CBA application in development projects, this study has completed the CBA evaluation for Kuo-Kuang Petrochemical Complex development project in six major issues. Those issues include social benefit, health impact, cost of greenhouse gas (GHG), land subsidence, damage costs in agriculture and fishery, and cost of ecological impacts. The results can be the reference for future CBA implementation in similar development projects. Finally, we have held five expert meetings, one forum, and one seminar. The opinions and suggestions from the experts and the invited participants (representatives of domestic environmental consultant companies) are collected and presented in the report. The materials for the seminar have been reviewed by five selected experts. We have revised the materials according to the suggestions by those experts.

Cost-benefit analysis;Environmental Impact Assessment;Kuo-Kuang Petrochemical development project