Environmental impact assessment is a process to evaluate the environmental consequences of a project or proposed development. Synonyms for this term include environmental review, environmental audit, ecological analysis, sustainability appraisal, environmental appraisal, and environmental impact analysis. These phrases all refer to the same process of assessing the potential negative impacts of a project on the environment. An environmental review involves an examination of the project's potential effects on air, water, soil, wildlife, and natural resources. These assessments aid decision-making by identifying potential environmental risks and opportunities for mitigating them. Overall, environmental impact assessments, by whatever name, support sustainable development by providing a framework for balancing economic growth with environmental protection.