Transforming the capacity of impact assessment to address persistent global problems

Impact assessment (IA) formally emerged fifty years ago, it evolved, matured but the predominant philosophy did not change much, especially in light of the speed of change the world experiences and the magnitude and persistency of current environmental and social problems. Inspired in the sustainable transitions theory, and the adaptive theory, I reflect in this letter on the need to shift the philosophy underlying current IA rules and practice, to renovate or even reinvent the instrument to become more collaborative, constructive and systemic, driven by learning and co-creation of knowledge. This might mean a paradigm shift, towards a more engaging and persuasive IA, a leverage to enable changing practices in an increasingly complex world, and a positive instrument to help transitions for sustainability and the achievement of sustainable development goals.